SR 700 — HISTORIC BARN PRESERVATION

*LRB09420144HSS57908r* SR070009400SR0700 Enrolled LRB094 20144 HSS 57908 r SENATE RESOLUTION WHEREAS,NO. Illinois barns are witnesses to the role of agriculture in our State’s image and its economy and serve as scenic landmarks for residents and visitors alike;

700 WHEREAS, Illinois barns are witnesses to the role of agriculture in our State’s image and its economy and serve as scenic landmarks for residents and visitors alike;

and WHEREAS, While historic barns are cherished by so many SR070009400SR0700 Enrolled -2- LRB094 20144 HSS 57908 r Illinois residents and visitors, many barns can no longer produce the necessary income to prevent their loss by decay or demolition, or they become threatened when the surrounding land is removed from active agricultural use;

therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and any other public entities as the DCEO deems necessary, shall conduct a study of (i) current historic barn restoration/preservation efforts and needs in Illinois, (ii) the benefits that an historic barn restoration/preservation program could have in Illinoisthe couldcontext haveof onthe tourismcreation andof othera economiccomprehensive plan for the development activitiesand promotion of tourism in rural areas, including the potential for expanded heritage tourism efforts to take advantage of the increased interest in Lincoln and the underground railroad sites, as well as the potential for expanded agricultural and natural resource tourism efforts, and (iii) programs and incentives in place in other states to promote historic barn restoration and preservation;

and be it further RESOLVED, That in conducting its study the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall also consult with the Illinois Barn Alliance and any other private local historical, preservation, and community organizations engaged in promoting 09400SR0700 Enrolled -3- LRB094 20144 HSS 57908 r and preserving historic barns in their communities or counties;

and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be presented to the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, SR0700 -3- LRB094 20144 HSS 57908 r to the Director of Agriculture, and to the Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.