SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Charlie Meier’s (R-Okawville) bill, HB 2196, is now law. This law makes it easier for small poultry farmers to farm and sell poultry with less regulation from the State.
“Our small-scale farmers oftentimes find themselves knee deep in red tape,” said Rep. Meier. “This law eases the burden on them and will give our communities farm-fresh poultry at our farmers markets and farm stands. I’m sick of seeing small farms and processing facilities shut their doors because they can’t keep up with Illinois regulations.”
Previous law stated that poultry producers were exempt from the costly regulations that large poultry farms must follow if they possess no more than 5,000 chickens annually. This law raises that threshold to 7,500 poultry, meaning small farmers can expand their operations. The law has safeguards for safety, including labelling requirements, food safety certifications, and notice to customers that their poultry is exempt from continuous USDA or IDOA inspection.
Meier worked with several stakeholders to pass this legislation, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the Illinois Farm Bureau, health departments, and others. Meier also noted that this law brings Illinois closer to the regulation that neighboring states follow.
Ed Dubrick from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance thanked Rep. Meier for his advocacy on this issue that is important to farmers across Illinois.
“Representative Meier’s leadership on this bill was instrumental to its success,” Dubrick said. “As a farmer himself, he understood our members’ needs firsthand. His ability to identify and work with additional stakeholders helped us negotiate bill language that has no known opposition. His knowledge of the legislative process was key to its success. None of this would have been possible without Representative Meier’s leadership, knowledge, and desire to improve the viability of farms of all sizes, all across Illinois. We’re thankful for his continued service and leadership on behalf of Illinois farmers.”
The Vonder Haar family from St. Rose testified in committee in support of this law. “This bill will allow us to increase our pastured poultry numbers and allow more sales avenues,” said Jill Vonder Haar, who was joined by her two youngest children Lauryn and Evan. The Vonder Haar family operates Main Street Pastures, a family farm.
HB 2196 was signed into law on August 15, 2025.
State Representative Charlie Meier represents the 109th District which includes portions of Bond, Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and Washington counties. For more information, please visit CharlieMeier.net or contact Rep. Meier’s district office at 618-651-0405.