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Testimonials
Explore video, photo, and written testimonials highlighting why SB1397 and HB1707/SB1398 matter and how they can create a more sustainable Illinois.
Senator Adriane Johnson
State Senator from Illinois' 30th District
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Gary Cuneen
Founder and Executive Director of Seven Generations Ahead
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Walter Willis
Executive Director of Solid Waste Agency of Lake County
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Jessica Stevens
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"The biggest thing we can do for our collective future is work towards better soil. As an eater, composter, gardener and food system leader I have always said: the soil will save us!"
Amy Bartucci
"We spread compost on Illinois turf to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers to help keep our waterways clean!"
Mark Teegen
Teegen Compost Services
Zach Shaben
Public Affairs Manager at Too Good To Go
"SB 1398 is critical legislation that will help Illinois transition to a more sustainable and circular food system by reducing methane emissions, increasing food diversion, and fostering economic growth. Food waste is not just an environmental issue—it’s an economic and climate imperative. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the U.S., with food waste responsible for 58% of those emissions.
"Beyond climate benefits, this bill will create new economic opportunities by expanding markets for surplus food. By phasing in food scrap diversion requirements and supporting infrastructure development, SB 1398 ensures that businesses, municipalities, and food service providers have the resources needed to participate in a growing circular economy. This policy will drive job creation, reduce landfill dependency, and strengthen local food systems—all while making Illinois a leader in food waste reduction.”
Nife Olufosoye
Midwest Director of Campaigns at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
"Marginalized communities are often hit hardest by pollution and environmental hazards, including the harmful effects of methane emissions from landfills. The Compost and Digestate Market Bill (SB1397) and the Food Recovery and Diversion Bill (HB1707/SB1398) are essential to addressing these injustices. By reducing landfill waste and investing in composting and food recovery, these bills help lower air pollution, improve soil health, and redirect edible food to those who need it most. This is a step toward environmental and food justice—ensuring that all communities, regardless of income or zip code, have access to clean air, healthy food, and a sustainable future. I urge lawmakers to vote YES on these bills for the health and well-being of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents."
Kyle Preuss
CMO at Block Bins LLC
"This bill makes important and much needed strides in reducing food waste and promoting sustainable waste management for Illinois. By incentivizing anaerobic digestion and food scrap processing, it diverts organic materials from landfills, reducing harmful methane emissions and creating valuable resources. The mandated food scrap collection and processing for large generators ensures accountability and promotes a circular economy. Additionally, directing funds to the Prairie Research Institute supports crucial research and implementation of effective waste management strategies. This bill represents a comprehensive approach to tackling food waste and building a more environmentally responsible future for all Illinois residents."
Gary Cuneen
Founder and Executive Director of Seven Generations Ahead
"To put the Illinois Organic Waste Composting bills within the context of global efforts to combat climate change, last year’s UN Climate Summit COP29 negotiations discussed Methane reduction strategies (including food waste composting) to be the fastest and best route to reducing global GHGs due to the relatively easy lift regarding the cost and simplicity of technologies involved. These Illinois bills will complement global efforts to combat the climate crisis and stay within a 1.5 degree Celsius increase in temperature through Methane reductions related to removing organic material from landfills."
Katherine Tellock
Business Development Manager at Green Era Chicago
"Requiring Illinois food waste to be recycled instead of sent to landfills would provide both economic and agricultural benefits to our state. Using our own food waste to create finished compost and digestate locally creates jobs right here in Illinois, as opposed to synthetic fertilizers, which are often imported from other countries. Synthetic fertilizers also do harm to our ecosystem, while finished compost and digestate improve soil health in the longer term. Facilities like Green Era will benefit from these bills and be able to grow and expand, which means more green jobs and a more sustainable future for Illinois."
Jaime Groth Searle
Executive Director of The Southwest Collective
"People need to be fed, and there is clearly more than enough to go around."
Jennifer Dowd
Program Director at Seven Generations Ahead
"These bills will reduce wasted food, support rescuing food to feed people, and contribute to Illinois soil health through composting and using compost. Feed and Conserve IL bills connect the dots from policy to funding to infrastructure to education to action!"
Katie Willis
"Composting food is an easy and rewarding effort. It can help make your soil nutrient rich when you’re gardening, which I find to be a particularly nice benefit."
Linda McMahon
"I have been composting for years. Besides helping to reduce methane gas I’m also improving my soil health sustainably and economically."
Vanessa Cook
"This bill is important to me because I am a strong believer in sustainability and waste reduction. I'm excited by the expansion of services to reduce my impact! "
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