1. (a) The Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council is created, consisting of the following members:

   1. (1) The Secretary of Human Services or the Secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair.
   2. (2) The Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee.
   3. (3) Three representatives from food banks, including at least 2 representatives from food banks that participate in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Department of Human Services, selected by the Department.
   4. (4) Three representatives from the agricultural industry, selected by the Department.
   5. (5) A representative from an academic institution with expertise in agricultural systems, selected by the Department.

2. (b) The Advisory Council shall provide support to the program through the following activities:

   1. (1) facilitating relationship-building and partnerships between the Illinois agricultural sector and the emergency food system;
   2. (2) approving of a proposed annual budget by the administering entity;
   3. (3) reviewing and providing feedback on the administering entity's annual plans and annual reports;
   4. (4) promoting the program; and
   5. (5) providing feedback or recommendations as needed to the administering entity.

(Source: P.A. 103-412, eff. 8-3-23.)