IL Pesticide Pre-Notification Bill - Contact Your State Representative Immediately!
IFCA Members:
IFCA and the other ag organizations have been working diligently this spring to stop a bill that would require all commercial and private applicators to notify schools, daycares and parks 24 hours in advance of an application of restricted use pesticides within 1,500 feet of any of these facilities. A copy of the bill and our opposition paper is attached.
This bill, HB 1596 with Amendment #3, passed out of the activist friendly House Energy & Environment Committee despite total opposition from all ag groups. The bill will now be up for a vote on the House floor this week so you must call your State Representative immediately and ask them to vote NO on HB 1596, Amendment #3. It will take a strong grassroots effort to stop this legislation - the environmental groups have made this bill their #1 priority this year.
If you do not know who your State Representative is or how to contact them in Springfield, go to the link below, click your area on the Illinois map or enter your address in the "Search Illinois" box, then click on the State Representative's information screen. Call them at their Springfield office and also send them an email if one is listed:
Here is the link: Illinois General Assembly - Find My Legislator
This is a very busy week in Springfield so if you cannot get through on the Springfield phone number, call their district office and ask their staff to make sure the legislator knows of your opposition to HB 1596.
All IFCA members should contact their State Representative. Here's what you can tell them or their administrative assistant:
1. Your name, company and town
2. Ask the legislator to vote NO on HB 1596, Amendment 3.
3. It is impossible to "schedule" pesticide applications 24 hours in advance when applicators have to assess wind speed, direction and other weather conditions in the field of application, on the day of application.
4. This is a complicated, costly new regulatory burden on Illinois ag retailers and farmers.
5. There are already laws in place for potential pesticide drift investigations and penalties.
If you have any problems getting in touch with your legislator, or have questions about HB 1596, please reach out to IFCA or to Jean Payne, who has been helping IFCA this spring with legislative issues. You can reach Jean at (309) 826-3236 or jmprfp@gmail.com.