ICGA Advises Director Costello of Opportunities to Help Hurting Illinois Farmers

April 9, 2020
A large building with a statue in front of it.

This week, the Illinois Corn Growers Association prepared and delivered a list of opportunities for the State of Illinois to invest in the agriculture industry as we face turbulent markets and extremely low prices post COVID 19.

 

From the letter to Illinois Director of Ag Costello:

 

Illinois farmers are facing two crises – the implications of COVID19 on their health and the implications of COVID19 on what is already an extended period of below-cost-of-production prices. We know you will want to help farmers and ethanol plants remain solvent during this global crisis. Attached are some ideas that you and Governor Pritzker’s administration could consider to provide opportunities for the agriculture industry to thrive.

The ideas ICGA provided are opportunities in invest in ethanol, livestock, and new uses for corn in Illinois. Some are legislative initiatives, and some require budget consideration. Some are simple letters of support from our Governor that address bigger, national challenges to corn markets. 

 

All would provide certainty for our markets and prices in the months and years ahead.

 

Read for yourself:

Letter to Director Costello

Addendum: Opportunities for Investment in Agriculture

 

ICGA and our farmer leaders and staff will continue the conversation with Illinois leadership and will continue work to bring farmers a more stable and profitable future.

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.
By Tara Desmond July 3, 2025
Mid-Year Highlights: IL Corn Top 10 Read Stories
A map of the world with arrows pointing to trade countries
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.
Top Videos of 2025
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2025
Harvesting the Best: A Look at IL Corn’s Top 10 Videos of 2025
By Lindsay Croke June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.
The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen June 27, 2025
From Springfield to D.C., lawmakers are listening, and Illinois corn farmers are leading the conversations.
Show More