IL Corn Supports Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act

March 8, 2023
A picture of a man with a quote from matt rush

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act was introduced today, cosponsored by Illinois Congressman Mike Bost, to protect Americans’ freedom of choice when purchasing vehicles. The bill is a response to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) move to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.

 

To achieve this ban on consumer choice, California would need a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

If the waiver is received, this will not only impact California but also 17 other states bound to follow California’s regulations. This would constitute 40 percent of the entire nation’s new car sales. 

“It’s alarming that a state would take actions to remove Americans’ options for affordable and reliable transportation without concern for practicality,” Matt Rush, President of IL Corn Growers Association said. “While we support all technologies that can help the U.S. reach our climate goals, we know that ethanol blends at the pump are a common-sense solution that is available now.”

 

Corn ethanol is an effective, low carbon octane course, providing the greatest fuel efficiency gains at the least cost to drivers while reducing greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions.

 

###

 

About the IL Corn Growers Association

IL Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, maintaining a high profile on issues in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL. Through grassroots advocacy, ICGA creates a future for Illinois farmers in which they can operate freely, responsibly, and successfully. In order to fulfill this mission, the organization conducts governmental affairs activities at all levels, market development projects, and educational and member service programs. For further information regarding their work and involvement, visit their website www.ilcorn.org.

thumbnail of aul
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Illinois waterways move over 70M tons of goods each year — including corn. 🚢🌽 Learn why aging locks & dams need urgent modernization.
video icons
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Watch the top 10 most-viewed videos of 2025, featuring farmer stories, trade insights, and the moments shaping Illinois agriculture.
icons floating above cornfield
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Explore the most-read Illinois corn stories of 2025, from policy and markets to innovation and farmer impact, plus weekly updates and member stories.
Mark Bunselmeyer
By Lyndi Allen December 30, 2025
Meet IL Corn Growers Association President, Mark Bunselmeyer of Decatur, IL. Mark farms in Macon County, where he grows corn and soybeans.
captain next to a tree
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
This season, we pulled together a few fun reminders of how corn connects farm life to Christmas traditions — both on and off the farm.
harvest
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
Illinois farmers and farm families were well represented in the 2025 Fields of Corn Photo Contest, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association.
Show More