Illinois Agriculture Groups Request Diesel Tax Relief to Help Harvest Costs


By Lyndi Allen • October 1, 2026

As Illinois farmers enter the harvest season, the IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is asking state and federal policymakers to find ways to lower the cost of diesel fuel for farmers.



ICGA has asked Governor Pritzker to explore options for reducing diesel costs for farmers transporting their crops to market, while also asking Illinois’ congressional delegation to engage with the Administration and investigate legislative or administrative mechanisms that could allow farmers to use dyed fuel for qualifying agricultural purposes, including transporting their own crops to processors, elevators, export terminals, and other points of sale.


“Farmers rely on diesel to transport their crops from the farm to the point of sale, adding another significant cost at the end of the growing season,” the letter to the Illinois delegation states.


Read Letter to Governor

Read Letter to Illinois Delegation


Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Soybean Association are also asking state and federal policymakers to explore options for providing temporary diesel tax relief to help reduce transportation costs for Illinois farmers during harvest.


Not a member?

Become one today!

SHARE THIS

Latest Posts

stock image of person at college with cap and gown
By Tara Desmond • October 21, 2026
ICGA is now accepting applications for five $2,000 scholarships for ag students. Apply by Jan. 31, 2027.
aerial view of carlinville in September
By Tara Desmond • October 21, 2026
Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town is a farm town at heart. Meet Kim Carney Rhodes, the ICGA farmer carrying on her dad’s corn legacy in Carlinville.
Red semi-truck driving on a rural road beside a cornfield at sunset or moonrise.
By Lyndi Allen • October 21, 2026
President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins announced that the USDA is rolling out an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program to provide one-time payments to farmers.
1989 photo of Varna elevator
By Tara Desmond • October 20, 2026
Farmers Co-op in Varna grew from 900,000 to 16.4 million bushels of storage. Watch the video from our Elevator Appreciation Lunch visit.
Chris Koch in a combine
By Tara Desmond • October 20, 2026
Farmer Chris Koch, born without arms or legs, joins IL Corn TV to talk harvest, hard years and why he fears regret more than failure.
tara at white sox stadium
By Tara Desmond • October 16, 2026
Five years at IL Corn with farming, farmers, corn, and storytelling—with a few hot dogs, viral videos, and plenty of Midwestern waves.
Mexican CANAMI (National Chamber of Industrialized Corn) members at Illinois farm
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
IL Corn & USGBC hosted Mexican masa millers on southern Illinois farms and river terminals, strengthening ties with our top corn customer.
holding a cover crop
By IDOA & Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
Pre-enrollment opens Nov. 30 for IDOA’s Fall Covers for Spring Savings program, worth up to $5/acre off 2027 crop insurance premiums.
Josh Linville and Collin Watters
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
What’s really driving your fertilizer bill? StoneX’s Josh Linville breaks down global supply, competition, and the long-term fix on IL Corn TV.
thumbnail of Megan and Jared
By Tara Desmond, Megan Dwyer and Brownfield Ag • October 15, 2026
Illinois Corn and U of I built lease addenda to help farmers and landowners build cover crops, soil health and nutrient goals into rental agreements.
Show More