The Illinois *Coalition for Clean Air & Water (ICCAW) is a state-wide coalition of family farmers and community groups advocating for sound policies and practices that protect the environment, human health, and rural quality of life from the impacts of large-scale, industrialized livestock production facilities in Illinois.
As the number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Illinois grows, rural communities face the environmental and social impacts of industrial agriculture and need assistance. The Illinois Coalition for Clean Air & Water has a variety of resources, studies, and information to help grass-roots groups fight to preserve their rural heritage and communities.
*In May of 2020, the “Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water” officially changed its name to the “Illinois Coalition for Clean Air & Water” to show solidarity with all farmers; rural communities, food workers and all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, national origin, citizenship standing or immigration status.
Need Help Now?
Check out the CAFO Toolkit and/or contact us. We can help you find the right resources to ease the tasks of community organizing, communicating with elected officials, accessing relevant scientific studies, and getting started with water/CAFO monitoring programs.
Impacts of Factory Farms
Water Quality
Factory farms pose an ongoing threat to Illinois waterways. Raw, untreated manure from CAFOs can contaminate waterways through field runoff, spills, and cracks in confinement pits.
Antibiotic Resistance
Many governmental and health organizations point to the overuse of antibiotics in industrial livestock production as a significant factor in the antibiotic resistance crisis we face.
Health
The toxins produced from putrefying manure from factory farms cause a multitude of health problems, ranging from respiratory to central nervous system ailments.
Air Pollution
Over 150 gases are produced at factory farms from the decaying manure that is stored six months to one year at a time. Noxious odors greatly affect the quality of life and health of neighbors.
Rural Economies
Factory farms have displaced independent, traditional farmers, weakened rural economies, and placed a huge burden on county budgets to fix roads damaged by heavy truck traffic.
Animal Welfare
Factory farms are unnatural environments for livestock. The close, cramped quarters prevent animals from exhibiting natural behaviors and instead create high levels of stress and suffering.
Traditional Farms vs. Factory Farms
There are many differences between traditional, independent family farms that raise livestock outdoors and factory farms that confine animals their entire lives.
Quality of Life
Neighbors living near factory farms often experience noxious odors, dust, and swarms of flies that drive them indoors and make it difficult to enjoy their homes and property.
Food Safety
Studies consistently show that significant percentages of livestock and poultry products in retail food markets are contaminated with a variety of infectious bacteria.
Externalized Costs
Studies consistently show that significant percentages of livestock and poultry products in retail food markets are contaminated with a variety of infectious bacteria.