Illinois Code § 15

§ 15.

Any properly qualified sheep and/or wool production development or marketing program shall provide for assessments against producers of the affected commodity to defray the costs of the activities provided for in the sheep and wool production development and marketing program. Assessments authorized in a sheep and/or wool production development and marketing program shall be based on the quantity of commodity marketed and shall be equitably assessed against all affected producers in one of two ways as follows: (a) If assessments are levied against only wool, then the total assessment levied on the commodity of any affected producer shall be 2 cents per pound of wool produced and sold by that producer during the first 5 years a program is in operation. If deemed necessary after the first 5 years a program is in operation the rate can be increased, not to exceed 1/2 cent per pound per every 2 years by a vote of a 5/7 majority of the entire sheep and wool production development and marketing board, however the assessment rate cannot exceed 5 cents per pound. In subsequent years, the sheep and wool production development and marketing board can request the Director to hold a producer referendum to increase above and beyond the maximum assessment rate of 5 cents per pound of wool allowed under the provisions of this Act. Providing that a majority of those producers voting, vote in favor, the sheep and wool production development and marketing board can then increase the rate. (b) If assessments are levied against both sheep and wool, then the total assessment levied on both commodities of any affected producer shall be one cent per pound of wool produced and sold by that producer and 10 cents per head of sheep produced and sold by that producer during the first 5 years a program is in operation. If deemed necessary after the first 5 years a program is in operation, the rate can be increased, not to exceed 1/4 cent per pound of wool per every 2 years and not to exceed 2 1/2 cents per head of sheep per every 2 years, by a vote of 5/7 majority of the entire sheep and wool production development and marketing board, however the assessment rate cannot exceed 2 1/2 cents per pound of wool and cannot exceed 25 cents per head of sheep. In subsequent years, the sheep and wool production development and marketing board can request the Director to hold a producer referendum to increase above and beyond the maximum assessment rates of 2 1/2 cents per pound of wool and 25 cents per head of sheep allowed under the provisions of the Act. Providing that a majority of those producers voting, vote in favor, the sheep and wool production development and marketing board can then increase the rate. Upon approval of a sheep and wool production development and marketing program by a majority of those voting in a referendum and pursuant to the provisions of this Act and of the approved program, the first purchasers of sheep and/or wool shall withhold and remit such assessments to the sheep and wool production development and marketing board. From the time withheld, such assessments shall be the property of said board and shall be held in trust by the first purchaser until the assessment is remitted to the Board. Such assessments shall not be subject to levy or execution by any creditor of the first purchaser. The sheep and wool production development and marketing board shall have the power to cause any duly authorized agent or representative to enter upon the premises of any purchaser of sheep and wool and examine or cause to be examined by such agent only books, papers and records which deal in any way with respect to the payment of the assessment or enforcement of this Act. (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)