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SB 1424

COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro and 2 co-sponsors

Expands counties' power to lease county-owned land and farmland for long terms (up to 99 years) to spur economic revitalization, with supermajority board approval.

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1424

Summary — SB 1424 (Counties Code — Lease of County Property)

Status (as of materials provided)
- Bill: SB 1424 (55 ILCS 5/5-1049.2)
- Introduced: January 31, 2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro
- Sponsor / activity: Assigned to Assignments → Local Government; Senate amendments filed (Sam. 001 & Sam. 002)
- Related / companion bills: HB 2893, HB 1105

Purpose
- To amend the Counties Code to clarify and expand counties’ authority to lease county-owned real estate, including vacant properties, structures, facilities and farmland, where leasing serves public interest or promotes economic revitalization.

Key provisions and changes
- General leasing authority (amends 55 ILCS 5/5-1049.2):
- Authorizes county boards to lease county-owned real estate for terms up to 99 years when the board determines the property is no longer necessary for county use or when leasing serves the county’s best interests.
- Requires the lease authority to be exercised by ordinance passed by a three‑fourths vote of the full county board at a regular or special meeting.

  • Farmland leasing (special rules):

    • Allows farmland owned or acquired by a county to be leased for terms not exceeding 5 years (cash lease, crop-share, or custom-farming).
    • Requires public advertisement of the lease opportunity and opening of sealed bids at a county board meeting.
    • Prohibits counties from acquiring farmland solely for the speculative purpose of entering into such leases.

  • Targeted economic-revitalization leasing (county-size‑specific provision):

    • Provides that a county with a population between 500,000 and 600,000 may lease vacant (later amendments remove “vacant” and add “or acquired”) properties, structures, or facilities owned by the county when the lease promotes economic revitalization and does not interfere with existing public services.
    • Prohibits using this authority to privatize or eliminate government-operated services.
    • Leases under this subsection may have terms up to 99 years and must be approved by a three‑fourths county board ordinance.

  • Amendments under consideration:

    • Senate Amendment 001 deletes the word “vacant” and adds “or acquired,” and reiterates the 99‑year term limit; other amendments refine procedural or drafting language.

Who is affected
- County governments and county boards (decision-making authority, subject to supermajority vote).
- Residents and communities (potential benefits from redevelopment, new uses for underutilized properties).
- Private and public lessees/developers (opportunity to lease county property long-term).
- Farmers and agricultural stakeholders (short-term farmland leases with public bidding).
- Constituents concerned about public asset stewardship and privatization of services.

Potential impacts and considerations
- Pros:
- Facilitates redevelopment and economic revitalization of underused county assets.
- Creates revenue or in-kind value for counties without outright sale.
- Creates a structured, competitive process for farmland leases (sealed bids).

  • Cons / risks:
    • Long-term (up to 99-year) leases can limit future public control over assets.
    • Requires careful oversight to avoid de facto privatization or loss of public benefit.
    • Supermajority (3/4) approval reduces risk but political dynamics may vary by county.

Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced January 31, 2025; referred to committee(s) and subject to Senate amendments.
- Sponsors and amendment activity indicate ongoing committee and floor consideration; track Local Government committee and assignment actions for next steps.

For further review
- Full statutory text targeted: 55 ILCS 5/5-1049.2 (Counties Code).
- Monitor amendment texts (Sam. 001 / Sam. 002) and committee reports for final language and any governor action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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