Former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel Receives International Leadership Award

In February of 2023, several Illinois corn farmers and the IL Corn Executive Director joined Senator Tammy Duckworth in Japan to discuss the future of U.S ethanol exports. Senator Duckworth is also a longtime supporter of U.S. ethanol and has worked to increase domestic and international demand.

The IL Corn Growers Association officer team thanked Former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel for his leadership in creating new U.S. ethanol demand in Japan. (Dan Parker, Tres., Garrett Hawkins, Pres., Amb. Rahm Emanuel, Ellen Rahn, Sec., Mark Bunselmeyer, Vice Pres.) 

Ethanol exports to Japan could increase up to 2.2 billion gallons per year by 2040, thanks in part to the efforts of Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who served in this capacity from 2022 to 2025. 

In recognition of this leadership, IL Corn Growers Association honored Former Ambassador Emanuel with the International Leadership Award during its June 3-4 board meeting in Bloomington, IL. 

In November 2024, the Japanese government announced its intention for the country’s gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol (E10) by 2030 and E20 by 2040, a move that will have significant benefits for the economic, environmental, and human health of Japan and its consumers. This move will also have substantial benefits for Illinois farmers. 

“As recently as 2020, Japan would only allow 42 percent of their imported ethanol to be U.S. ethanol, as they relied significantly on Brazilian ethanol for their 1.7 percent blend. Today, the U.S. enjoys to up 100% market share in Japan, and looks forward to E10 in Japan as soon as 2028 and E20 blends in the country as soon as 2040,” said Garrett Hawkins, corn farmer from Waterloo and President of the IL Corn Growers Association. 

Under the new policy, exports of U.S. ethanol could increase by over 80 million gallons annually, representing an additional $150-200 million in exports each year and a potential boost to corn prices. Illinois stands to gain, as one of the largest exporting states in the nation, and home to the largest dry mill ethanol facility in the world. 

Emanuel has a long history of service to Illinois, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 – 2009, representing parts of Cook and Lake Counties, and later as Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019. 

“This is new corn demand that Illinois farm families desperately need, and we are grateful for the leadership of Former Ambassador Emanuel for helping to get us there,” said Hawkins.