ICGA ANNOUNCES 2020 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

January 23, 2020
A green sign that says icca legislative priorities

Surveys indicate that Illinois corn farmers become members in the Illinois Corn Growers Association for better representation in Springfield, IL and Washington, DC. With that in mind, ICGA farmer leaders and staff will make the following our top priorities for 2020.

 

FEDERAL:

  1. Finalize U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) for trade
  2. Pass a low carbon, high octane standard for fuel
  3. Secure funds for pre-engineering and design work for one lock on the Illinois or Mississippi River

 

Lucky for Illinois farmers, finalizing USMCA is nearly complete! With action in the House late in 2019 and a Senate nod in early 2020, this ever so important trade agreement is only awaiting a signature from the President.

Why is USMCA a top priority? Mexico is our number one market for corn and dried distillers grains with soluables exports and a number two market for pork. Canada is our second largest market for ethanol. Together, these neighbors make up 25 percent of all U.S. ag trade. Finalizing our relationship is a big deal for Illinois farmers who are well-positioned to use the river system to get goods to Canada and Mexico very cost effectively.

 

Farmers want to help the nation figure out the need for more efficient transportation with a lower carbon footprint. The way we can contribute to those goals is to pass a low carbon, high octane standard for fuel that allows for blended fuels with 20 percent ethanol or higher. Corn-based ethanol presents a great opportunity to add octane to fuels, improving efficiency. Corn-based ethanol is also cleaner burning and renewable, with something big to add to carbon sequestration goals. While farmers benefit from more efficient and more environmentally friendly vehicles, the real win for farmers here is increased ethanol demand. 

 

Finally, to move forward on work that began more than 20 years ago, ICGA will advocate for pre-engineering and design funds on one lock on the Illinois or Mississippi Rivers. Pre-engineering and design funds allow for the work of designing and planning the new locks farmers desperately need to begin. ICGA does see a pathway for further gains in the lock and dam modernization push, so we are hopeful to deliver on this needed infrastructure investment in 2020.

 

For more information on these issues, click below!

Trade

Fuel Standard

Locks and Dams

Justin Moore headshot
By Tara Desmond July 23, 2025
Meet Justin Moore a staff member at IL Corn.
washington dc photo
By Lindsay Croke July 17, 2025
“If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public,” the letter said. “If the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop
FFA students at USDA
By Lyndi Allen July 17, 2025
IL Corn leaders met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss key ag priorities like trade, conservation, ethanol, and lock and dam infrastructure, while mentoring the next generation of advocates from Illinois FFA.
corn
By Lydia Rogers July 14, 2025
Debunking Myths
headshot of Shelby Watson
By Tara Desmond July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Crops destroyed by storm
By Lyndi Allen July 10, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, providing assistance to farmers with crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Show More