Corn Farmers Attend Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day

The 56^th Annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day (IALD) was held on Tuesday, March 24. IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) leaders attended the event, then met with eight key legislators to discuss IL Corn’s priorities.

During the IALD event, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Director, Jerry Costello II, gave a warm welcome to assembled guests and introduced the speakers of the morning. Some highlighted speakers included:

• Governor JB Pritzker
• Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt
• Senator Doris Turner, Chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee
• Senator Andrew Chesney, Minority Spokesperson of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• Representative Sonya M. Harper, Chairperson of House Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• Representative Charles Meier, Minority Spokesperson of House Agriculture & Conservation Committee

IL Corn’s State Priorities:

• Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program
• ICGA supports the investment for existing fuel dispensing and tank infrastructure upgrades to support higher blends of renewable fuels. The proposal awards grants from existing industry funds to incentivize upgrading the infrastructure for cleaner biofuels.
• Continued funding for NCERC & Expansion
• ICGA crafted the idea of the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) in 1996 and has supported the facility since its creation in 2003. ICGA prioritizes continued funding for NCERC in FY2025.
• State funding for NCERC expansion would increase the opportunities for research and development of corn to ethanol and ethanol to additional fermentation to bio-chemicals, increasing overall corn demand.
• Support the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act
• ICGA supports the reforms to the Illinois Estate Tax and provide tax relief for Farm Families. Updates policy language to reflect modern farm estates and farm family descendants. 

IL Corn has your seat at the table for state policies affecting corn farmers. We will continue to advocate for corn farmers as well as emphasize the importance of expanding and strengthening market opportunities during the alarming downturn of the farm economy. Sign up for our advocacy alerts to contact your representatives about bills and issues that matter to you!