We view the situation with cautious optimism. The points presented to the Livestock Advisory Committee three weeks ago only represented a fraction of the concerns we are raising. In no way will it be acceptable for legislation to pass that does not address every area of the Livestock Facilities Management Act that needs to be changed. The damage control to this act must be comprehensive and address all citizens' grave concerns.

As co-chairs of the Joint Livestock Advisory Committee, we are announcing that the Committee is disbanding as of September 24th, 1997. We feel that the Committee's work is finished. Committee members have worked long and hard over the summer to review the Livestock Management Facilities Act and rules implementing the Act in an open public forum, and have developed a list of proposals. These proposals have been forwarded to Representative Woolard and Senator Sieben for their perusal.

In addition, a group of legislators came forward at the September 3rd meeting with a list of proposals for modifying current law and other legislators as well have developed proposals, which address the concerns proposed by the committee. These proposals are likely to be introduced during the fall veto session of the General Assembly. There does not, therefore, appear to be a need for further action by the Joint Livestock Advisory Committee.

As co-chair persons, we want to thank each member of the Committee for all of their hard work on behalf of the citizens of Illinois.

In response to the decision of the Livestock Advisory Committee to disband on Wednesday, members of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) now called on Rep. Larry Woolard (D-Marion) and Sen. Sieben (R-Geneseo) to introduce legislation this fall based on the Committee recommendations.

"We expect Rep. Woolard and Sen. Sieben to fulfill their responsibility and introduce legislation this fall based on the hours of testimony from citizens around the state and the recommendations compiled based on the testimony," said Chirag Mehta, ISA Executive Director.

In a letter to ISA dated July 22, Rep. Woolard said, "Sen. Sieben and I have asked the Committee to provide us with recommendations to modify the current law. Our purpose in establishing the committee is to introduce legislation based on the Committee's recommendations. We indicated to them that the first opportunity to introduce legislation would be the 1997 fall veto session of the General Assembly."

Several Peoria-area legislators, led by Sen. George Shadid and Rep. Donald Moffit submitted a list of general proposals to modify the law which they may introduce in the form of legislation this fall, however, citizens are very skeptical about the effort. Shelley Adams from Williamsfield said, "Much of what they (Sen. Shadid and Rep. Moffit) are proposing does not even address the major concerns we have about this issue."

Uncontrolled, factory farms will have devastating and long lasting effects on air quality, property values, human health, and especially on the pure water supply. I can't see that they (the legislators) are proposing any measures that will have a real impact on preserving citizens rights to a healthy and stable environment."

According to Karen Hudson, a citizen delegate on the Committee and ISA member, "We produced eight pages of recommendations based on testimony from academicians, grassroots citizens and livestock producers, which I expect Rep. Woolard and Sen. Sieben to act on during the fall session."

"Even though the makeup of the LAC appeared flawed, it did provide a forum for open discussion and input into public policy from grassroots constituents-- from the people who will have to live with the consequences. Now that the Committee has been disbanded, citizens should be aware that this serious issue could return to backroom politics controlled by special interests," said Hudson.

"Our group has met with a number of legislators around the state who are prepared to make substantive changes to the LMFA this fall," said Jessica Thurman from Arenzville. "The momentum is building to pass some of the key issues our organization has been pushing for over two years and we expect legislation to pass with the help of Rep. Woolard and Sen. Sieben."

ISA's key issues include: statewide siting of large-scale operations away from environmentally-sensitive areas, increasing minimum separation distances between livestock facilities and residences, preventing over-application of manure, and local control.

ISA is a statewide, grassroots membership organization actively promoting sustainable agriculture through advocacy and research. ISA affiliates include: Illinois Citizens for Responsible Practices, Families Against Rural Messes (Peoria and Knox Co.), Valley Dale Alliance (Hancock Co.), Cass County Residents and Neighbors for a Healthy Environment, Kickapoo 4 Association (McLean Co.) and Citizens for the Protection of Butler Township (Vermillion Co.).