Soil and Water Conservation Funding Slashed in New Budget
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts offices in Springfield. (Photo: Prairie Farmer Magazine)
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In a state budget that included some $70 million in cuts in a $53 billion spending plan, lawmakers took an axe to funding for soil and water conservation districts across the state.
There are 97 state-funded soil and water conservation districts around the state, which conserve and restore wetlands, plant trees, protect groundwater, and work with farmers to reduce fertilizer runoff.
In the recently passed state budget, funding for soil and water conservation was reduced from $8.5 million in FY2024 to $4.5 million in the new FY2025 budget. Supporters had asked for $10.5 million in the new budget.
“When you look at a nearly 50% cut in our overall funding to keep those boots on the ground, that’ll have a significant impact,” said Dr. Michael Woods, CEO of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts. “Every district will need to weather that challenge a little bit differently based on their staffing models and savings they’ve put together to weather some rainy days.”
The cut reduces state funding for soil and water offices to “pre-2000 levels.”
Woods says that likely means program and staff cuts across the state.
“It’s going to have a direct impact on the front line boots on the ground,” he said. “These individuals are vital in helping to work with producers, communities, and individuals to access various federal and state funds to provide assistance getting more conservation on the ground.”
As advocates have tried to find out why their funding was cut, Woods says they aren’t getting many straight answers from lawmakers or the Governor’s office.
Some legislators we spoke to Monday were also unclear why the line item was slashed.
“I have no idea why it happened,” said one Democratic lawmaker Monday, who asked to remain anonymous. “But it’s pretty clear there’s some vendetta somewhere against programs that specifically focus on downstate Illinois.”
Multiple sources say the cut was included from the Department of Agriculture in the Governor’s proposed budget. A Department of Agriculture spokesperson didn’t respond to our inquiry Tuesday.