ICGA Statement on Water Resources Development Act 2020 Passage
December 22, 2020

“Illinois corn farmers are extremely grateful to the bi-partisan work of our entire Illinois congressional delegation in the pursuit of upgraded locks and dams on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
“ICGA continues to work on one new lock and dam start on the Illinois or Mississippi Rivers in 2021 and we feel confident about our progress this coming year. Thank you to the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, GROWMARK, Illinois Carpenters Union, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, and Illinois Soybean Association for working together to move this priority forward.”

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.