SPRINGFIELD – On Thursday, the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Procurement held a subject matter hearing on a bill led by State Senator Rachel Ventura that would make Illinois the first state to ensure state purchases do not contribute to deforestation, forest degradation or human rights violations.

“Preventing deforestation is one of the most cost-effective climate mitigation strategies. By following the policies set in this legislation, our state can make bold improvements in protecting the climate, biodiversity and human rights,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “The state has made a serious commitment to reducing its carbon footprint with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Now more than ever, we must align Illinois’ procurement policy to match those commitments and move toward a deforestation-free procurement policy.”

Senate Bill 2157 would position Illinois as a national leader in responsible sourcing, aligning with global efforts to protect forests, climate and biodiversity. The proposed bill would ensure state-funded purchases of key commodities — such as rubber, paper and specific wood products — come exclusively from sustainable sources, curbing the state’s contribution to global deforestation.

The Deforestation-Free Illinois Act would ban state purchases of tropical hardwood or related products, positioning Illinois as a global climate leader with stronger procurement standards. Ventura’s bill would help safeguard biodiversity by preserving ecosystems and protecting at-risk species.

“Toilet paper made from clear cut forests and beef from deforested land have no place in a sustainable, healthy economy,” said Jennifer Skene, Global Northern Forests Policy Director with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “With its visionary bill to clean up its procurement of forest-risk commodities, Illinois is placing itself at the forefront of a marketplace transformation, showing that better supply chains aren’t just possible, but economically prudent.”

The bill supports Illinois and U.S. businesses by prioritizing low-deforestation products — recognizing that U.S. soy and cattle have significantly lower deforestation risks than imports. It also includes a preference for Illinois-sourced products, keeping taxpayer dollars in state.

“Tropical rainforests around the world are being degraded or cleared for products like timber, paper, beef and palm oil, often in violation of local laws, and posing a threat to the global climate,” said Rick Jacobsen, Senior Manager at the Environmental Investigation Agency. “This bill would ensure that Illinois taxpayer dollars are not driving forest destruction and transnational crime, and instead direct the state’s substantial buying power towards law abiding and responsible companies and producers that are not contributing to deforestation.”

Additionally, the bill upholds Indigenous rights by requiring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent for developments affecting their land and resources.

"The Deforestation Free Illinois Act advances a vision for public procurement that is rooted in environmental sustainability and the rights of workers and local communities,” said Luciana Téllez Chávez, senior environment researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The law would direct Illinois taxpayers' money towards companies that protect climate critical forests and respect human rights throughout their supply chains."

Senate Bill 2157 has been assigned to the Senate Executive committee.