Will legislation affect Livingston County?

A farmland-preservation measure is among the legislation being proposed to the Illinois General Assembly in its current session, but will it be needed in Livingston County? Probably not.

Unlike some fast-growing suburban counties across the United States, this one in east-central Illinois isn't projected to have the large population growth that some in Illinois are, despite the southward advance of suburban Chicago. Livingston County's comprehensive plan, updated in November 2004 to project to the year 2020, shows a population projection of 42,900 as the 21st century concludes its second decade. The 42,900 projection, the plan notes, "is based on growth trends over the past five decades and analysis of building permit activity over the last ten years. These projections reflect growth around those municipalities located adjacent to or in close proximity to Interstate-55 interchanges. This growth is based on a speculation of the continued development of the Chicago Metro area which continues its growth to the south and west of the metro area."

The preservation measure, Senate Bill 1992, was in committee earlier this month, and is intended to amend the Counties Code. The synopsis for the measure says that it "provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may levy an annual tax for farmland preservation easement purposes." The tax can be up to 5 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation of taxable property in that county. Such a tax must be approved by referendum, and can be discontinued by the same process.

Even if that measure becomes law, one county-oriented observer said he didn't think consideration of that type of preservation process was even "on the radar" for this county.

The comprehensive plan also looks at growth besides the Chicago Metro area: "The growth in the Bloomington/ Normal, Peoria, and Champaign/Urbana areas, all located within a driving distance of portions of Livingston County may also contribute to the growth of certain areas of the county, while relatively less growth is expected in the more rural townships."

In that 2020 update, the land-use plan for Livingston County recognizes the agricultural importance: "The majority of land in unincorporated Livingston County falls into the agricultural land use category, and although the area allocated to agricultural land use has been reduced somewhat as compared to the 1973 Plan, cropland and pasture still represent 95 percent of the total area. Lands within these areas are generally zoned agricultural."

The plan refers to "large, contiguous areas of farmland composed of predominantly prime soil types," and recognizes that "Farm operations tend to be large in size, utilizing modem farm technology. A commitment to future agriculture has been made through large capital investments. Furthermore, prime soils and other agricultural lands and sub soil minerals constitute a finite natural resource, which should be protected and maintained."

"Agriculture is a key element in the County's economic base," the updated comprehensive plan continues. "The county will remain open to the enhancement of this key economic base considering property development that may be related to the processing of agricultural products, which can add value to farm products, and possibly create jobs and income for Livingston County Residents. This job creation and income then can enhance the economy with added value by having money circulate through the county business and financial institutions adding to the economic well being of the county as a whole."

Agricultural land goals are listed in the plan, along with residential and other goals.

"The county will strive to preserve the most productive and suitable land areas for agricultural uses and associated land (use)," the plan reads, then lists a number of ways to try to meet that goal. Among them: