Tell your State Representative to Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (HB 4849)

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Tell your State Representative to Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (HB 4849)

A new tool to help protect Illinois farmland, open space, water, and wildlife habitat

Illinois lawmakers are now considering House Bill 4849, the Farmer Tax Benefit Act, which would give farmers and landowners a meaningful financial incentive to permanently protect their land.

HB 4849 would create an income tax credit for landowners who voluntarily donate permanent land protection agreements or land ownership rights to qualified conservation agencies. According to the official bill text, the credit would cover either:

100% of the fair market value of a donated land protection agreement, or
50% of the fair market value of a donated fee‐simple or remainder interest in property.

This bill makes it financially realistic for Illinois landowners, especially farmers, to protect their land voluntarily, keeping farmland available for future generations while protecting wildlife habitat, clean water, and natural landscapes.

Why This Matters

Every day over 48 acres of productive and resilient farmland and natural areas are paved over for development. Once these lands are gone, we cannot get them back. HB 4849 offers a voluntary, commonsense solution that empowers landowners to safeguard the resources that support healthy communities, strong local agriculture, and resilient ecosystems.

Stronger conservation incentives helps:

Protect clean drinking water and soil health;
Support resilient communities by reducing runoff and pollution and preventing floods;
Preserve wildlife habitat and biodiversity; Keep working lands in local hands;
Support farmers in passing land on to the next generation;
Slow the rapid loss of open space across the state; and
Maintain natural and productive lands as a critical part of climate resilience efforts.

HB 4849 is a smart investment in Illinois’ future.

For more information about the work that Openlands, please visit our website.

Take Action Today

Ask your state representative to support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (House Bill 4849). The bill gives farmers and landowners a fair, practical incentive to protect farmland, open space, and natural resources. It strengthens conservation, supports rural communities, and helps keep Illinois' land healthy and productive for future generations.

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Tell your State Representative to Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act

Subject: Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (HB 4849)

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As your constituent, I urge you to support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (HB 4849) and help advance this legislation that strengthens voluntary land conservation efforts across Illinois.

This bill creates a new state income tax credit to encourage farmers and landowners to permanently protect their land through voluntary agreements with qualified conservation agencies. The credit would equal either 100% of the fair market value of a donated land protection agreement or 50% of the fair market value of a donated fee-simple or remainder interest in the property.

The Farmer Tax Benefit Act fills a major gap in Illinois’ conservation tools by making it financially feasible for landowners, including family farmers, to keep farmland, wildlife habitat, and open space intact for future generations. These voluntary land protection agreements allow landowners to retain ownership and continue working on their land while removing development pressure and securing permanent conservation outcomes.

These protections provide significant public benefits, including:

• Long-term farmland preservation that supports Illinois’ agricultural economy

• Protection of natural areas and wildlife habitat that sustain biodiversity

• Improved soil health and clean water, supporting community resilience by reducing runoff and pollution and mitigating floods

• Economic stability for farmers and rural communities through voluntary, incentive-based conservation

HB 4849 also strengthens the ability of state agencies and conservation partners to protect high-quality lands at scale by providing a predictable, accessible incentive for private landowners. This program advances conservation without mandates, relying instead on voluntary participation and fair compensation.

As your constituent, I respectfully ask you to support HB 4849 and help secure the multiple benefits this bill offers to Illinois’ farms, natural lands, and communities.

Thank you.

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Tell your State Representative to Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (HB 4849)

A new tool to help protect Illinois farmland, open space, water, and wildlife habitat

Why This Matters

Take Action Today

Tell your State Representative to Support the Farmer Tax Benefit Act

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