The Decatur—Champaign corridor currently serves as the anchor of the state’s lucrative biotech sector. Growing and developing the biotechnology industry statewide could return major economic rewards for the area. The Illinois Senate has passed bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by State Senators Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) to make the state a true destination for biotechnology.
“Right now Decatur is the global center for bioprocessing, and one of our state’s largest hubs for agribusiness,” said Rose. “This will help us build upon what we have right here to bring future economic investments and excellent-paying jobs to the area.”
Senate Bill 1693 would create the Industrial Biotechnology Public-Private Partnership as a state-sponsored board to promote and market Illinois as a destination for biotechnology research, development and commercialization network that leverages existing Illinois resources.
“Biotech is what this region does better than anywhere else in the world, and it’s what we can lean on to restore our economic strength and make Illinois a destination for investment and jobs,” Rose concluded. “When you combine the production and transportation capabilities of Decatur with the University of Illinois’ world class agribusiness faculty, we have a lot to offer. When you add in the best farm ground anywhere in the world sitting on either side of I-72, we have something no one else in the world has to offer.”
Rose’s legislation passed the Senate and is now headed to the House for consideration in that chamber.