Illinois’ 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) experienced a substantial funding shortfall in the FY 2025 state budget. SWCD operations funding was reduced by $4 million from $8.5 million in FY 24 to $4.5 million in FY 25. The shortfall will lead to the loss of trained and qualified Soil and Water Conservation District employees which will take years of training to replace. Without sufficient funding, employees, much like unprotected soil, will erode away.
We the undersigned residents of Illinois’ 97 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts from across the State of Illinois do respectfully request FY 25 SWCD operations funding be returned to level funding based on FY 24 funded appropriations.