Grasse Visits Effingham County Farm Bureau, Discusses Agricultural Issues, Rural Healthcare

EFFINGHAM, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, and her office staff recently visited the Effingham County Farm Bureau, where they met with local bureau members
and learned about issues facing downstate farmers.

“As one of the country’s largest agricultural producers, it’s important to make sure our farmers’ voices are heard,” Grasse said. “It’s always a pleasure to speak with members of the Effingham County Farm Bureau and talk about ways we can find common ground and support their work.”

While visiting Effingham County, Grasse spoke with farmers about issues such as rising utility costs, cuts to federal food programs and the impacts of tariffs on agricultural producers. Since its beginning in 2001, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program has sought to build relationships between farmers and urban-based state legislators. Grasse was paired with the Effingham County bureau shortly after her appointment in 2024.

Having grown up around farms in northern Wisconsin, Grasse feels a strong connection to Illinois’ agricultural sector.

Grasse also had the opportunity to visit St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, where she learned about rising healthcare costs, staffing shortages and other challenges that both rural and suburban hospitals face.

“It’s too easy to let regional differences divide us, but that’s not how good government works,” Grasse said. “I’m grateful for programs like Adopt-A-Legislator for providing opportunities for civil discussion, and for reminding legislators of the human impact our decisions have across the state.”