Agriculture Fuels Illinois’s Economy
July 11, 2024

Agriculture is a main driver in Illinois’s economy. The state’s prime farmland, its proximity to top tier manufacturing, and its expansive river and rail infrastructure creates a vibrant space for financial capacities.
Ranking second in corn production, Illinois’s golden commodity has much to offer its state.
- Illinois is ranked fifth nationally in overall agricultural production.
- In Illinois, over 11M acres of corn were harvested in Illinois in 2023.
- 1.9 M jobs in Illinois are from the agricultural industry.
- Illinois ships 1/3, or approximately 18 million metric tons, of U.S. corn to foreign markets every year. This is approximately 116% of Japan’s total imports of corn in the 23/24 marketing year.
- Illinois exported $78.7 billion in international sales.
- 1 out of 10 dollars generated in the state comes from agriculture.
- Illinois food and agribusiness account for more than $462 Billion in economic output for the state.
- Overall, corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023, reports National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Lead Economist Krista Swanson.
- NCGA reports Illinois corn farming contributed over $20.9M to United States economy.

By Tara Desmond
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October 15, 2026
Jenny Webb has spent her career in Illinois agriculture. Now she’s about three months into a new job as president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), the group that represents the ag retailers, applicators and suppliers who get fertilizer and crop protection products to your farm when you need them. Webb came to IFCA from Illinois Farm Bureau. She’s new to the fertilizer and chemical side of the business, but not to farmers or to the policy and regulatory issues that affect them. IL Corn sat down with her to talk about what she’s learned so far, the issues facing Illinois ag retailers, and why the work happening behind the scenes deserves more credit than it gets.





