Dear Friend,

Illinois Bill HB 2196 would allow local poultry producers to expand their businesses.

The bill seeks to increase the number of birds small producers are allowed to raise and process on-farm from 5,000 to 7,000.

It also would expand sales avenues for the poultry, including on-farm, at a farmer’s market, from a roadside stand, and direct to the consumer. Because the state only has four commercial processors, farmers often struggle to get their birds processed, so this bill greatly increases their ability to process birds on farm and-sell locally.

HB 2196 also eliminates the prior ownership requirement that forced consumers to own an animal for 30 days before processing it for use by their household.

The bill passed the IL Senate last week and has been referred back to the House for a concurrence vote.

The state’s legislative session ends in a few days so it’s important that you reach out to your representatives now and urge them to support passage of this bill. There may not be a hearing on this in the remaining days of the session so calls and emails are the best way for you to be heard.