Sen. Sally Turner introduces
legislation to protect agricultural land and national security
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[January 18, 2024]
In
response to mounting concerns about the increasing trend of foreign
ownership of Illinois land, State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason)
has introduced new legislation to protect the state’s critical
farmland by prohibiting property ownership within Illinois by
noncitizens from nations that have been deemed hostile by the
federal government.
“The agricultural industry is the backbone of our state's economy,
and we must take decisive steps to ensure its sustainability,” said
Sen. Turner. “Those steps begin with my new legislation, which
directly addresses legitimate concerns surrounding ownership of
farmland by individuals from a hostile nation and the impact of that
ownership has on our national security.”
Drawing inspiration from successful bipartisan laws in California
and Arkansas, Senate Bill 2668 aims to alleviate farmers fears that
land acquisitions by foreign nations and investors may inflate
farmland prices and pose a potential threat to national security.
Currently, 24 states have passed similar legislation to mitigate the
risks associated with the purchase of farmland by foreign entities
that may jeopardize national security.
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“Senate Bill 2668 is a proactive
measure that safeguards our crucial agricultural resources,”
continued Sen. Turner. “Failing to implement policies to
conserve our state’s greatest asset now could leave us
vulnerable to potential threats in the future.”
Senator Turner hopes that her legislation will spark a broad and
constructive discussion among lawmakers regarding the state’s
commitment to the welfare of its agricultural industry and the
overall security of the nation.
[Marcus J. Durrett
Illinois Senate Republican Staff
Communications and Public Affairs] |