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But not everyone is on board.
State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, voiced skepticism about the
initiative, questioning whether taxpayer money would be better
spent supporting traditional farmers directly.
“There’s no end to the Democrats’ scheming and scamming to try
to destroy the livestock industry,” Miller said. “They tried
this alternative protein fiasco up in the suburbs a couple of
years ago. It didn’t take long for them to figure out there was
zero demand for cockroaches and crickets and alternative types
of protein. People want the real deal — the purest protein we
have through our cattle industry.”
Beyond Meat is facing a consumer class-action lawsuit filed in
the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in
2022 over allegedly overstated protein claims on multiple
products. Miller also criticized the focus on higher education
research rather than direct support for farmers.
“They’ll try to throw millions at this, and it’s already proven
to be a failed idea,” he said.
Illinois has invested in alternative proteins for several years,
creating the Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force in 2023
and funding the iFAB Tech Hub at the University of Illinois in
2024 with $51 million in federal grants to support fermentation
and plant-based protein research.
Miller took aim at the cultural impact of alternative proteins.
“The radical left, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Democrats… their
agenda is to make people weak,” he said. “When you eat beef, it
makes you strong. Look around — low-testosterone men in skinny
jeans, — they’re eating too many soy products and not enough
meat.”
Supporters say the funding could strengthen Illinois’ position
in a growing food-tech market and drive scientific innovation.
The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, did not
respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.
“The Democrats and ‘greenies,’ along with those who live in
fantasy, are always trying to create something artificial to
replace what nature produces on its own,” said Miller.
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