Empowering Corn Farmers Through a Strong Legislative Team

It is essential for farmers to have a legislative team that fights as hard for their futures as they work for their crops. Our legislative team is dedicated to ensuring that our organization advocates on issues that impact farmers. IL Corn has redefined positions on the legislative team to further our advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. and Springfield, IL.

Our association’s dedicated legislative team is a vital asset to address policies related to agriculture, renewable fuels, conservation, and trade. The team’s work guarantees that farmers’ voices are valued and heard.

Meet IL Corn’s staff members representing you in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, IL

Director of Public Policy: Brad Stotler

Brad Stotler is a longtime government affairs professional with 20 years of experience, working for members of Congress and industry trade associations. Stotler came to IL Corn from Rep. Darin LaHood’s (IL-16) office where he was the Congressman’s state director. Prior to that position, Stotler lived in Washington D.C., working in government relations and on Capitol Hill. Throughout his career, he has worked successfully on a wide range of renewable fuels, tax and transportation issues at both the state and federal level. Stotler graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and currently resides in central Illinois with his wife and 3 daughters.

Public Affairs and Communications Manager: Lyndi Allen

Lyndi Allen joined IL Corn in January 2025 as the Public Affairs and Communications Manager, bringing a focus on amplifying IL Corn’s advocacy efforts through strategic marketing and communications. In this role, Lyndi serves as the vital link between the IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and its members, ensuring that policy and regulatory updates are effectively communicated and understood. She translates complex information from meetings, articles, and discussions into actionable insights for farmers and uses her expertise to represent ICGA at key meetings. Additionally, Lyndi is dedicated to building strong relationships between ICGA and other organizations to further IL Corn’s mission.

Lyndi was raised in Paxton, Illinois in the countryside. She attended Illinois State University where she earned a degree in Public Relations with a minor in writing. While attending college, she interned for the Bloomington Police Department as their Marketing and Public Relations intern. Lyndi looks forward to applying her creative and strategic abilities to build strong community relationships and support the values of IL Corn.

Public Policy Specialist: Victoria Ballesteros-Gonazalez

Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez serves as IL Corn’s part time Public Policy Specialist, contributing to the policy development process and advocating for Illinois corn farmers at both state and federal levels. Her work focuses on crafting strategies to advance policy objectives and fostering relationships with government officials, agencies, and key stakeholders.

Victoria is currently a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Studies, along with an Intercultural Competence Certificate. Her academic background equips her with a unique blend of skills that she applies to her work in public policy.

Originally from the Canary Islands in Spain, Victoria brings a global perspective and a deep passion for public policy to her role. Beyond her professional and academic commitments, she is actively involved in community service initiatives.

Looking ahead, the legislative team remains committed to advancing agriculture by addressing the challenges Illinois corn famers face. Through collaboration with farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders, IL Corn continues to work in advancing Illinois agriculture.

Want your farm to be represented in Springfield & Washington D.C.? Become an IL Corn Member.

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By Tara Desmond • October 30, 2025

When northern Illinois farmer Dan Sanderson started farming in the 1980s, cover crops weren’t exactly mainstream. Government set-aside programs required planting something like oats, but what stuck with Dan wasn’t the paperwork. It was the difference he noticed in those acres the next year—healthier plants and stronger soils. Decades later, that observation led him down a lifelong road of conservation and soil health improvement. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Dan joins IL Corn board member Shane Gray to talk about his path toward regenerative farming, what he learned at a 2017 Soil Health Academy that changed everything, and why he now treats soil as a living system, not something to manipulate. Dan’s story is one every farmer can relate to—trial and error, lessons learned the hard way, and realizing that “good soil” is about more than yield. 🎥 Watch Part 1 now and catch Part 2 soon, where Dan dives deeper into how he’s reducing inputs, improving soil function, and still keeping his yields strong.