Illinois Farmers Council meets with Durbin and Jackson

July 13, 2023
A group of men in suits are standing next to each other on a red carpet.

The Illinois Farmers Council joined U.S. Senator Richard Durbin and U.S. Representative Johnathan Jackson (IL-1) to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill, last week in Bloomington, Illinois. 



Senator Durbin said crop insurance will remain a priority in the bill set to expire on September 30th. “We have settled on crop insurance as the pillar to build the Farm Bill on,” said Durbin. 

 

IL Corn Growers Association and Illinois Farmers Council President Matt Rush said the group examined a wide variety of agricultural topics in addition to their Farm Bill discussion. Rush said the group also weighed in on the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Proposition 12 and the importance of rural broadband. 

“It was encouraging to see two of our leaders in Washington sitting alongside Illinois farmers, listening to our concerns,” Rush said. “I thank Senator Durbin and Rep. Jackson for their support, and I look forward to continuing these conversations as we approach passing this critical piece of legislation.” 

 

The Illinois Farmers Council is a group of agriculture-related associations from across the state representing farm families, commodities, and the livestock industry. The group is composed of the IL Corn Growers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Pork Association, and the Illinois Milk Producers Association. 

 

*Photos curtesy of Catrina Rawson Illinois Farm Bureau 

A group of people are sitting at a table in front of a green screen
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.
headshot of Jenny Webb IFCA president
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
Jenny Webb has spent her career in Illinois agriculture. Now she’s about three months into a new job as president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), the group that represents the ag retailers, applicators and suppliers who get fertilizer and crop protection products to your farm when you need them. Webb came to IFCA from Illinois Farm Bureau. She’s new to the fertilizer and chemical side of the business, but not to farmers or to the policy and regulatory issues that affect them. IL Corn sat down with her to talk about what she’s learned so far, the issues facing Illinois ag retailers, and why the work happening behind the scenes deserves more credit than it gets.
Andrew Jolly
By Lyndi Allen • October 15, 2026
A sixth-generation farmer from Chenoa, IL, Andrew Jolly is carrying on his family’s farming legacy while learning how to make his voice heard in agricultural policy as a 2026 GROW participant.
Show More