Lawmaker criticizes efforts to replace natural foods with alternative proteins

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois plans to pump $5 million into alternative protein research at state universities, aiming to boost the plant-based and fermentation food-tech sector and make the state a hub for agricultural innovation.

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.