ICGA ANNOUNCES 2020 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:

Finalize U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) for trade
Pass a low carbon, high octane standard for fuel
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

< Older Post

Newer Post >

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.

Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes Congress

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.

Importance of Trade Series: Ethanol

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.

Corn: More American Than Apple Pie

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.