Illinois Corn & Manufacturing: Partners in Progress
December 5, 2024
Mark Denzler, CEO of Illinois Manufacturers Association, spoke at last week's ICGA Annual Meeting. In this episode of IL Corn Connection, Denzler highlights the strong partnership between agriculture and manufacturing in Illinois. He shares challenges and opportunities, including energy policy, infrastructure, trade, and renewable energy’s impact on prime farmland. Denzler also emphasizes the importance of collaboration to address Illinois’ budget shortfall and prepare for future growth in sectors like technology and manufacturing. Tune in for insights on how these industries work symbiotically to strengthen Illinois’ economy.

By Lindsay Croke
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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.