Agencies
Services
The Division of Cannabis Regulation regulates the production, processing and transportation of both the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis programs. To ensure patient and consumer compliance with the law and safety, the division monitors the plants from seed to sale. Additionally, the division is responsible for the licensure and registration of industrial hemp production, which includes reviewing applications and testing hemp to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
Division and Bureau Structure
The Department of Agriculture regulates and promotes the state’s agricultural industry while providing various consumer services. The Department also ensures that quality agricultural products and services are accurately labeled and fairly sold. Additionally, the Department sponsors numerous promotional events; generates marketing information for agribusinesses; inspects meat and poultry; checks scales, gasoline pumps and greenhouses; regulates the use of pesticides; manages livestock waste; implements soil and water conservation programs; and regulates the grain, feed, seed and fertilizer industries.
The Division of Agricultural Industry Regulation analyzes feed, fertilizer and seed samples to confirm product label guarantees. It regulates more than 200 grain dealers and warehouses with nearly 1,000 locations. It also ensures equity in the marketplace by annually inspecting nearly 167,000 commercial weighing and measuring devices and retail motor fuel dispensers, which are checked for accurate delivery of posted octane and ethanol levels.
The Division of Natural Resources registers and enforces the use of pesticides throughout the state, including the certification and licensing of over 38,000 licensed pesticide applicators and operators. To protect the water quality in Illinois, the division operates a statewide agricultural pesticide container recycling program, collecting over 3.5 million pounds of plastic to date. Additionally, the division supervises the regulation of the siting, construction and operational requirements of livestock production facilities in Illinois. It also provides funding and technical assistance for 97 Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The Illinois State Fair was founded in 1853. The state fairgrounds in Springfield encompasses 366 acres with more than 100 permanent buildings. In 1986, the state purchased the Du Quoin State Fair, located on 1,400 acres in Perry County. The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs showcase Illinois agriculture and offer various activities and entertainment for people of all ages. In Illinois, county fairs are a historical tradition dating back to the 1840s. Today, there are 105 county fairs and expositions.
The department also administers the Illinois Standardbred, Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Breeders Funds, which promote the breeding and racing of quality horses in the state.
The Division of Food Safety and Animal Protection administers programs to control or eradicate livestock and poultry diseases and to ensure the humane care and treatment of all animals. Additionally, the division licenses and regulates businesses that breed, raise, or sell pets and companion animals, including pet shops, dealers, dog and cat breeders, kennel operators, animal control facilities and shelters. The division also licenses egg production facilities, inspects eggs for human consumption and is responsible for licensing and inspection of establishments where poultry or animals are slaughtered or processed for intrastate sale.
The Bureau of Marketing, Promotion and Grants opens markets for Illinois agricultural commodities and food and agribusiness companies through organized trade shows, buyers’ missions, branding programs, consumer shows and promotional events. The bureau, which employs representatives in Hong Kong and Mexico, provides export services to assist Illinois companies in entering and expanding international markets for food and agricultural products. Domestically, the bureau supports agribusinesses through branding programs, encouraging consumers to purchase Illinois Products. The bureau recognizes family farms statewide through the Centennial, Sesquicentennial and Bicentennial Farm programs.
Market service programs include the federal-state Livestock Market News Service and the Grain Market News Service, which supply current market information to buyers and sellers. It also administers several grants to help expand markets for food and agribusinesses.
The Bureau of Land and Water Resources distributes funds to Illinois’ 97 soil and water conservation districts for programs to reduce soil loss and protect water quality. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also operates the Henry White Farm, located in St. Clair County, which serves as an outdoor laboratory for research into sustainable agriculture, a farming system that emphasizes profitability and natural resource protection.
Jerry Costello II Director
Kristi Jones Deputy Director
Jeremy Flynn Chief of Staff
Judy Vollmar Chief Fiscal Officer
Tess Feagans General Counsel
Tyler Bohannon Legislative Liaison
Lori Harlan Public Information Officer
David Lakeman Manager, Division of Cannabis Regulation
Dr. Mark Ernst Manager, Division of Food Safety & Animal Protection; State Veterinarian
Chuck Cawley Manager, Division of Agricultural Industry Regulation
Brian Rennecker Manager, Division of Natural Resources
Jackie Sambursky Manager, Bureau of Marketing, Promotion & Grants
Scott Halpin Manager, Bureau of County Fairs & Horse Racing
Rebecca Clark Manager, Illinois State Fair
Luke Davison Manager, Du Quoin State Fair