Budget & Taxes (Agriculture)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to create a grant program to award grants of up to $250,000, subject to appropriation, to cover the costs and labor of any qualified applicant farmer to distribute healthy, free food to expectant mothers in need who reside in the same county or in a municipality within 20 miles of the farmer's farm, with certain requirements. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Defines terms.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $38,190,000; Other State Funds $114,383,700; Federal Funds $79,525,300; Total $232,099,000.

Creates the Distressed Farmers Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall, by rule, establish a grant program through which it provides (i) up to $5,000,000 for apprenticeships for individuals working in a direct or support capacity for a distressed farmer, (ii) up to $5,000,000 for distressed farmers for wells, and (iii) up to $10,000,000 for distressed farmers for certain other expenses. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for a distressed farmer credit for taxable years on or after January 1, 2027 in an amount of up to $50,000 in qualified farming expenses. Defines terms.