Trade Talk: Tariffs and U.S. Legislation
Lyndi Allen
May 29, 2025
On Wednesday evening, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the Administration overstepped its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact tariffs on imports.
These tariffs are commonly referred to as the "reciprocal" or "Liberation Day" tariffs. The Administration has indicated it will quickly appeal the decision to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and may need to take the case to the Supreme Court.
IL Corn staff continue to track these developments closely and will keep members updated.

By Lindsay Croke
•
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.