From Cornfields to Capitol: How Corn Moves

Our lock and dams may not make headlines, but they are the foundation of Illinois’ agricultural success. Waterways are critical to agriculture, especially here in Illinois. They’re not just part of our infrastructure—they’re part of our competitive advantage. Without reliable, efficient river transportation, we can’t get our corn to market affordably, and that puts pressure on farm income and our ability to grow.

Waterways Keep Illinois Moving

Illinois has 8 locks with nearly 1,100 miles of navigable inland waterways
In 2022, Illinois moved [LC1] [LC2] over 72 million tons of freight worth $26 billion
Over 90% of all the state’s marine freight tonnage moves on these inland rivers

Economic Impact of Illinois’ Inland Waterways

Illinois’ waterway infrastructure supports 262,000 jobs
Contributes $28.2 billion to the state’s gross product
In 2022, grains made up 40% of all waterborne cargo value in Illinois
Over 35 million tons of corn are sent from IL to Louisiana annually

Inputs Travel North Also

51% of the tonnage coming into Illinois from Louisiana is chemicals—most of it used in agriculture
Goods like fertilizer, fuel, and other ag inputs are constantly flowing in both directions

Waterways are the Smart Option

One barge tow replaces 1,050 trucks on the road
Barges produce 10 times fewer emissions than trucks and use far less fuel per ton-mile
Barges have the smallest carbon footprint among surface transportation—trucks release 832% more tons of CO2 per million ton-miles

Our Infrastructure Needs Help

Most locks and dams in this system were built in the 1930s
Structures were made for steamboats—not massive cargo ships
They’re operating well beyond their intended design life
Delays and breakdowns are common, putting the agriculture supply chain at risk

At IL Corn, we fight for investment in this system because we know what’s at stake. When corn can’t move affordably and reliably, prices fall and rural communities feel it. When exports slow, global competitors step in.

Illinois is an agricultural powerhouse, and our transportation system is how we are able to supply the demand. Illinois is #5 in transportation in the U.S. Waterways make our state competitive, move our economy, and deserve our attention and investment.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

IL Corn Leaders Honored with Prestigious National FFA Award

By Lindsay Mitchell • October 31, 2025

Celebrating Illinois Ag Leaders

Girl painting a leaf with brush at a table with paints, leaves, and other art supplies.

Helping Your Special Needs Farm Kid Thrive Through Art

By Emily Graham • October 30, 2025

Farm kids grow up surrounded by creativity—whether it’s building forts from hay bales, sketching tractors, or turning feed sacks into costumes.

Learning to See the Soil Differently: Dan Sanderson’s Conservation Journey (Part 1)

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.