Illinois § 7.33

§ 7.33.

Urban and suburban gardening at affordable housing projects. (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the long-term sustainability of the Illinois communities depends upon improved uses of land that has already been developed. The General Assembly also finds that agricultural growth in urban and suburban areas contributes significantly to environmental and economic sustainability by providing locally-produced agricultural goods, as well as improving the landscape of these areas. The purpose of this Section is to authorize the Authority to develop a program that provides incentives for the development of housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. (b) Definitions. As used in this Section, "gardening" means the production of consumable produce to be kept or sold and includes the farming of chicken, ducks, and small farm animals for milk production. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Authority may develop a program that provides incentives for the development of affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. Under the program, the University of Illinois shall be consulted regarding best practices in urban gardening and farming, including vertical gardening, aquaponics, and community gardening. An affordable housing project that incorporates an urban or suburban gardening program must provide any land, buildings, or tools necessary to develop and maintain the garden or farm. Under the program, the Authority shall also coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create distribution networks that link urban and suburban gardens with local businesses in order to facilitate the sale and distribution of locally-grown agricultural products and food stuffs to consumers residing within the local community. (d) The Authority and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. (Source: P.A. 103-459, eff. 8-4-23.)