IL Corn Attends Ag Legislative Roundtable

At the 2026 Illinois Ag Legislative Roundtable on August 10, two Illinois gubernatorial candidates and one U.S. Senate candidate addressed farmer leaders at Funk Family Farms in Shirley. IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) farmer leaders were pleased to hear important legislative priorities addressed by the candidates, such as support for domestic ethanol demand (E15), interest in addressing estate tax reform, and championing trade markets, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Illinois has an open U.S. Senate seat, left by the announced retirement of Senator Richard Durbin, and the Republican nominee for that seat, Don Tracy, spoke to the group. Current Lt. Gov Julianna Stratton, the Democrat nominee, did not attend due to a previous engagement in Martha’s Vineyard. Both Darren Bailey, Republican nominee for governor, and Governor JB Pritzker, Democrat nominee for governor, addressed the group.

ICGA leaders are committed to representing farmers and Illinois agriculture no matter the outcomes of these elections. All candidates highlighted different ICGA priorities, demonstrating that regardless of the outcome of the fall elections, our organization will continue working to achieve meaningful results for Illinois corn farmers.

Please find a summary of the expressed support for ICGA priorities from each candidate below.

Senate candidate Don Tracy: 

• Farm Bill
• Year-round, nationwide E15
• U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement
• Proposition 12 fix
• Improving infrastructure
• Food security
• Supporting farmers during the current economic downturn

Senate candidate Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton:

• A pre-written speech, read on Stratton’s behalf, acknowledged the importance of agriculture and farmers in Illinois.

Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey:

• Family Farm Preservation Act (Estate Tax)
• Reliable energy
• Local government control over data centers
• Improving Chicago’s understanding of farmers and agriculture
• New opportunities at the Illinois Department of Agriculture
• Improving industrial infrastructure
• Affordability for consumers

Gubernatorial candidate Governor JB Pritzker:

• Supporting farm families
• Aiding farm affordability
• Investing in rural communities
• Year-round, nationwide E15
• Invest in Illinois as an agricultural powerhouse
• Family Farm Preservation Act (Estate Tax)
• Agricultural education expansion
• Improving industrial infrastructure
• Working to improve current watershed legislation
• Local government control over data centers