Rockford and Northwest Illinois Conservation Efforts Threatened by Ongoing State Budget Cuts

ROCKFORD -- The future of critical conservation work in Rockford and northwest Illinois is in jeopardy as Illinois’ Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) grapple with a second year of steep budget cuts. The FY26 state budget provides just $4.5 million for 97 districts across Illinois — a nearly 50% reduction from funding levels two years ago — leaving local districts with minimal resources to protect farmland, waterways, and public health.

“This translates to roughly $40,000 per district — barely enough to employ one full-time staff member with benefits, let alone the two each district needs,” said Eliot Clay, Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD). “The state is forcing critical conservation offices to cut staff, even as farmers face climate volatility, rising input costs, and mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices.”

In northwest Illinois, where agriculture dominates the landscape, SWCDs work hand-in-hand with farmers and local governments to manage stormwater, prevent soil erosion, and reduce nutrient runoff that can pollute the Rock River and other key waterways. Their programs also help protect drinking water sources and reduce flooding risks — work that becomes more challenging as funding shrinks. “We’re making sure the resources that support [agriculture] are protected, but also that it’s being utilized in a way that is protecting the environment and public health,” Clay said during a June 13 WTAX Radio interview.

The region has already witnessed the consequences of weakened conservation protections. Clay cited a recent nitrate contamination alert in communities near Kankakee — likely tied to agricultural runoff — as an example of what could happen elsewhere in the state if funding isn’t restored.

Clay also warned of added strain if federal budget cuts and consolidation proposals move forward, potentially closing USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offices that co-house many SWCDs. “There’s a real chance that we could be facing things as practical as, do we have office space?” he said.

AISWCD had championed Senate Bill 2387 to establish a dedicated, tax-neutral funding stream for SWCDs. The bill earned bipartisan backing but was left out of the final budget. Clay urged residents of Rockford and northwest Illinois to contact legislators. “Tell them that you care about public health, that you care about the long-term sustainability of agriculture in this state.”

To hear the full interview, visit: Budget Cuts Threaten Future of Conservation Districts. For more information, visit www.aiswcd.org.