The nursery program inspection staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Environmental Programs inspects and certifies nearly 1,200 nurseries in Illinois each year.  These 1,200 nurseries are comprised of nearly 30,000 acres of nursery stock, 5,500 acres of Christmas trees, and 17,000 acres of sod.  Department inspection staff members also inspect and certify approximately 40 shipping greenhouses twice each year.  At present, nearly 3,300 nursery-stock-dealers are registered annually by the Department.  The inspection of these plants and plant products benefit both consumers and growers by ensuring pest-free plant stock. 

Also, certain nurseries and nursery dealers may be subject to additional state and federal restrictions.  These additional restrictions are a result of the establishment of state and federal quarantines or other regulatory actions due to the possible presence of specific insect pests or plant diseases.  Department staff members conduct special inspections and provide certifications regarding: compliance with the U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (www.nationalplantboard.org/jbintro.html); compliance with Gypsy Moth compliance agreements (www.nationalplantboard.org/f&sqs/usdaqua.html); compliance with Asian Longhorned Beetle compliance agreements (www.nationalplantboard.org/f&sqs/usda.html); and certification of greenhouses that regularly ship internationally or to states requiring a statement of inspection.  A listing of these nurseries, nursery dealers, and special certifications (if applicable) follow: