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SB 3972

DCEO-HYDROPONIC GRANT PROGRAM

104th Regular Session Introduced by Seth Lewis

The bill creates the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program to fund hydroponic facilities in vacant commercial spaces to increase healthy food access in Illinois food deserts.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3972

Summary of SB 3972 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Title

DCEO-HYDROPONIC GRANT PROGRAM

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to:
    • Increase access to healthy food in Illinois food deserts.
    • Support areas with significant vacant developed commercial space by encouraging the establishment of hydroponic agriculture facilities within such spaces.
  • Provide grants to eligible recipients for various components of hydroponic projects, subject to appropriation.
  • Give DCEO authority to issue rules to implement the program.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Section 605-1119)

  • Food desert: A defined set of criteria for identifying areas with limited access to healthy food, using poverty metrics, income comparisons, and grocery store access standards (distinguishing between rural and urban tracts). The Department may designate additional areas meeting criteria by rule using relevant data.
  • Vacant developed commercial space: A commercial space/building that has been vacant for at least 6 months before the grant application.
  • Other terms: Includes definitions for “person,” “rural tract,” and “urban tract” to clarify eligibility and designation standards.

Program Establishment and Scope (Subsection b)

  • Administration: The Department shall, subject to appropriation, establish the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program.
  • Purpose: Increase healthy food access in food deserts and assist areas with vacant developed commercial space by enabling hydroponic facilities within that space.
  • Activities eligible for grants:
    • Market or site feasibility studies.
    • Purchase of ownership of vacant developed commercial space.
    • Capital improvements, planning, renovations, and both durable and non-durable equipment purchases.
    • Other costs as deemed appropriate by the Department.
  • Prioritization criteria (illustrative, not exclusive):
    • Poverty rates and geographic diversity.
    • Local ownership.
    • Access to nearby grocery stores.
    • Availability of vacant developed commercial space near the proposed facility.
    • Other factors determined by the Department.

Grant Parameters (Subsection c)

  • Award limits: A grant may not exceed $1,000,000 per applicant or 25% of total project cost, whichever is less.

Administration and Rulemaking (Subsection d)

  • The Department shall adopt rules to implement and administer the program.

Who/what is affected

  • Applicants: Individuals, partnerships, corporations, or not-for-profit organizations seeking to establish hydroponic agriculture facilities within vacant developed commercial space.
  • Communities: Areas designated as food deserts may gain improved access to fresh, healthy produce.
  • Property owners/operators: Owners of vacant developed commercial spaces could receive grants to purchase or renovate space for hydroponic facilities.
  • Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO): Responsible for program administration, funding decisions, and rulemaking.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Immediate upon becoming law.
  • Funding status: Implementation is contingent on appropriation (i.e., funding must be allocated in the state budget).
  • Rulemaking: DCEO is empowered to adopt rules to implement and administer the program, including eligibility criteria, grant processes, and prioritization factors.
  • Legislative timeline noted in bill’s action history: Filed February 6, 2026; referred to appropriations and other committees with standard procedural deadlines (dates provided in bill text).

Potential impact

  • Promotes development of hydroponic agriculture in urban or economically distressed areas and in spaces with existing vacancy, potentially:
    • Expanding access to fresh produce in food deserts.
    • Revitalizing vacant commercial space and contributing to local economic activity.
    • Encouraging ownership diversification and local investment.
  • The program’s reach and impact will depend on future appropriation levels and the department’s rulemaking decisions, including eligibility standards and project prioritization.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise one-page briefing with bullets tailored for policymakers or for public-facing summaries.

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

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