Call or Write Your IL State Senator
Use the template below to contact your IL state senator, show your support, and ask your senator to vote in favor of these bills.
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Copy and paste the template into an email and make edits that tell your story
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Use the template as a script when making phone calls to senators
Not sure who represents you? The Illinois State Board of Elections: District Locator makes it easy to find and contact your senator.​​
Letter of Support Email Template
Subject: Compost and Digestate Market Bill (SB1397) and Food Recovery and Diversion Bill (SB1398)
Dear Senator (Last name):
My name is [your name] and my address is [your address]. As your constituent, I am writing to you to express my support regarding the Compost and Digestate Market Bill (SB1397) and Food Recovery and Diversion Bill (SB1398).
We should be able to rely on our elected officials to pass policies that protect us from harmful pollutants. According to the U.S. EPA, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions from human activities. Food scraps make up to 24% of landfill waste and wasted food is the number one generator of methane emissions from landfills (58%). According to the UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), methane is a harmful greenhouse gas that is 80x more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period, and is a primary contributor to air pollution. Illinois is the 8th-largest emitter of methane in the country. I am asking you to prioritize the health of the people you were elected to represent.
SB1397 will:
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Create a circular economy for edible food and food scraps, leading to a more sustainable and economically stable future for Illinois
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Provide funding to offset the cost of building soil health through purchasing, transporting, and applying finished compost and/or digestate
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Fund research by the Prairie Research Institute to study the benefits of using compost and digestate on agricultural land
SB1398 will:
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Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting edible food and food scraps from landfills
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Increase edible food rescue for human and animal consumption
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Phase in requirements to provide time for the growth of new infrastructure and circular systems
As your constituent, I am asking you to support these pieces of legislation and vote YES on SB1397 and SB1398. These issues are important to me because [insert 1-2 lines of why you are in support of these bills]. Please consider the safety and quality of your constituents’ lives now and for future generations. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Thank you,
[your name]
Submit a Testimonial
Share your firsthand experience with the benefits of organics diversion and compost use to support the passage of these bills.
Sign the Petition
Petitions are a powerful way to demonstrate public support for important legislation. By signing the petition, you send a clear message to lawmakers that these bills have strong community backing. Your support helps raise awareness, build momentum, and show legislators that these bills are a priority for residents and businesses. Signing the petition is a quick and easy way to make a difference!
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Add Your Logo to the Fact Sheets
Submit your company or organization's logo to support one or both bills.
Spread the Word!
Sharing our resources--like fact sheets, flyers, petitions, and this website--is essential to building support for the bills. These materials help educate others about the importance of reducing food waste, supporting compost markets, and creating a more sustainable future for Illinois. By sharing, you amplify our message, engage more supporters, and demonstrate to lawmakers that these issues matter to their constituents. Together, we can raise awareness and drive meaningful change--every share makes a difference!
File a Witness Slip
Witness slips are official statements of support submitted to the Illinois General Assembly for a specific bill. They demonstrate public interest and can influence how legislators view the importance of proposed legislation. We'll let you know when it's time to file witness slips in support of each companion bills. Click here to access a step-by-step guide on filing witness slips