HEARING SCHEDULED ON ILLINOIS CORN MARKETING BOARD REFERENDUM
January 26, 2012
Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director H.W. Devlin invites Illinois corn producers to submit their views and opinions on a proposed corn checkoff referendum at a public hearing Feb. 21, 2012.
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board is proposing to enhance marketing and promotion of corn by increasing the checkoff amount by ¼ cent per bushel. This would increase the current 3/8 cent voluntary checkoff rate to 5/8 of a cent per bushel. Growers would still have a right to refund.
The public hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 66 of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s administration building on the fairgrounds in Springfield. Following the public hearing, the Illinois Corn Marketing board will meet and review all comments presented. If, after reviewing the comments, the Corn Marketing Board approves the proposed amendment, the Illinois Department of Agriculture shall hold a referendum within 90 days.
Copies of the proposed amendment to the marketing program are available through the Agriculture Department’s Marketing and Promotion office. Persons unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments by Feb. 17, 2012. Comments should be addressed to the Director of Agriculture, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, Ill., 62794-9281.