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