Description
Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering a multi‑year agricultural lease of approximately 501.65 acres of state‑owned land within Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area. The lease is awarded to the highest‑priced, responsive bidder and requires the lessee to operate the land for farming purposes, comply with strict crop‑plan, chemical‑use, and wildlife‑habitat guidelines, and submit extensive annual reporting (chemical, seed, yield, and tax documentation). The contract period runs from March 1 2027 through July 30 2032, with annual rent guarantees and mandatory insurance coverage. No subcontracting is allowed, and the State may deduct rent for any non‑compliant activity.
• Lease of 457‑501 acres per year (2027‑2031) for row‑crop production with a required $275.56/acre valuation.
• Mandatory pre‑bid conference (Oct 6 2026) – non‑mandatory attendance, but attendance recommended for clarification.
• Annual obligations include rent guarantees (cash or irrevocable letter of credit), lease‑hold tax receipts, liability insurance, chemical/fertilizer logs, and soil‑testing compliance.
• Contract is “firm‑price” and award based on highest‑price offer; subcontractors are prohibited.