VERGENNES, Ill. – State Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, visited a Southern Illinois farm to discuss the importance of agriculture statewide as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program.

“Downstate communities have much to offer Illinois and are great contributors to local economies as well as the state’s,” Willis said. “Our state is a rich collection of city, suburban and rural communities that all need to work together for the overall good of our state. I was honored to be one of the legislators participating in this program, and I look forward for fighting for families across Illinois.”  

Willis visited a working farm in Vergennes, Ill. as part of the Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program, which helps connect suburban legislators with Illinois’ farmers and rural communities. During her tour, Willis witnessed firsthand farming equipment in use, and discussed how downstate agriculture and suburban businesses can work together to build a more vibrant economy.

OTTAWA, Ill. – Working to continue his support of Illinois agriculture, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, visited the Northern Partners Cooperative to discuss various issues facing Illinois’ agriculture industry and take note of the operations of the business.

“It can be easy to take it for granted, but agriculture is absolutely vital to growing a stronger Illinois,” said Yednock. “We must continue to work to support agriculture industries and businesses, which provide countless crop resources that make up the backbone of this state’s culture and economy.”

Yednock recently visited a local agriculture plant to listen to the issues facing the Northern Partners Cooperative while also discussing legislative proposals that would help the agriculture industry. Yednock has been a strong supporter of Illinois agriculture. Included in this year’s bipartisan budget plan that Yednock supported was the Blue Collar Jobs Act, which is aimed at providing reforms for people seeking employment in agriculture, manufacturing and more.

SANDWICH, Ill. – Working to continue his support of Illinois farmers, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, toured the Adams family farm to discuss agriculture issues facing Illinois’ farmers and take note of the family’s adapting to changing technology on their farm.

Yednock recently toured a family farm to listen to the issues facing the Adams farm while also discuss legislative proposals that will help Illinois farmers thrive. This year, Yednock supported a balanced budget, which includes the Blue Collar Jobs program designed to exempt certain sales taxes on specific farming equipment.

“It can be easy to take it for granted, but agriculture is absolutely essential to Illinois’s culture and economy,” said Yednock. “Illinois must continue to work with its farmers to ensure that they are not left behind. When we support farmers, we all thrive.”

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​VALMEYER, Ill. – To discuss the impact that the pork industry has on the state economy and learn more about local pork, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently toured Brinkman Farms in Valmeyer to meet with local pork producers.

“Agriculture has a huge impact on the state, national and global economy, and Illinois’ pork industry is a large contributor, generating billions of dollars in economic activity and creating thousands of jobs,” said Reitz. “Many Southern Illinoisans rely on farming for their livelihood, so I will continue advocating for agriculture and fighting to be a strong voice for our local industry.”

According to the Illinois Pork Producers, there are over 2,000 farms in Illinois that raise pigs, 97% of which are family-owned and operated. Illinois ranks 4th in the United States for pork production. While in Springfield, Reitz serves on the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee and has been an outspoken advocate for Illinois farmers.

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Thanks to the Illinois Farm Bureau’s “Adopt-A-Legislator” program, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, recently hosted members of the Crawford County Farm Bureau at the Arlington International Racecourse for a day of relationship-building, discussion and celebration of the importance of Illinois agriculture.

“Hosting the Crawford County Farm Bureau was a great reunion of sorts,” Walker said. “The Bureau adopted me the last time I was in office and I really enjoyed getting to know them and Crawford County then. So, I was thrilled when I got the chance to work with them again.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau started the “Adopt-A-Legislator” program in 2001 to build long-term relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from around the state. These connections are appreciated as they educate participants on the needs of people around the state and farmers become valuable resources when important agricultural issues arise in the General Assembly. To date, almost every legislator in Cook County has joined the program.

“Agriculture is Illinois’ number one industry, and hearing directly from farmers is important as we try to support and grow farming in the state,” Walker said. “While we may not have much farmland here in the 53rd District, we benefit greatly from growers and producers like the Crawford County Farm Bureau. I’d like to thank them for making the over 250 mile trip here to Arlington Heights for a wonderful day.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, chair of the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, recently visited Southern Illinois as part of a multiday agricultural tour.

“Illinois is an agricultural leader, not only for the United States, but for the entire world. As chair of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, it is imperative that I work to protect the place of agriculture in Illinois while also ensuring that it continues to grow as a source of economic development and jobs while acting as a critical source of our food supply, among other products,” Harper said. “That’s why I was proud to tour farms and agricultural businesses in Southern Illinois to hear directly from farmers on how to grow Illinois agriculture.”

Harper’s tour of Southern Illinois agricultural was organized in conjunction with state Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, During the multiday visit, Harper visited Meier’s family farm, the dairy farm of Craig Finke, the pork production farm of The Maschoffs, Top Ag Cooperative, and Wehmeyer Seed Company. Harper’s visits were designed to connect directly with Illinois farmers and agricultural producers in order to better understand the needs of the state’s farmers and agricultural businesses. Illinois is one of the five largest agricultural producing states according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and agriculture in Illinois has a total economic output of nearly $121 billion dollars according to the Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG), making it one of the state’s largest economic sectors.

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation passed by state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, which will better prepare agricultural education teaching students for the classroom was recently signed into law.

“Agriculture is vital to our state and national economy, and it plays a major role in international relations and the global market,” said Reitz. “Since agriculture plays such an important part in Southern Illinois and our entire state, it is essential that we provide agricultural education teachers the tools and resources they need to be prepared for the classroom and teaching the next generation of Illinois farmers, ag business managers, and ag technology engineers and mechanics.”

Reitz’s Senate Bill 1498, which passed with unanimous bipartisan support and recently became law, requires the Illinois State Board of Education to partner with the Illinois Board of Higher Education to develop an agricultural education pre-service teacher internship, giving pre-teaching students pursuing a career in agricultural education more resources for educational development.

“This legislation will give pre-teaching students pursuing agricultural education the opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn by doing,” continued Reitz. “I am proud that this is one of the first measures I passed as state representative, and I will continue working in a bipartisan manner to pass smart legislation to continue investing in Illinois’ commitment to agriculture.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, recently welcomed Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan to Chicago to tour Growing Home, an urban farming organization in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

“Urban agriculture works to provide people with the opportunity for healthy living, meaningful economic growth and jobs and environmentally-friendly communities,” Harper said. “As a longtime urban agriculture advocate, I was proud to welcome Director Sullivan to Chicago’s South Side to see these goals in action through the incredible work of the Growing Home farm.”

Harper is the first African American woman to serve as the chairperson of the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, where she has focused on efforts to expand urban agriculture to reduce food deserts. Sullivan was appointed as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in January 2019 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and served in the Illinois State Senate from 2003 to 2017, leading the Senate Agriculture Committee. Harper and Sullivan served together on Pritzker’s Growing Our Agricultural Economy Transition Committee.

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, will continue her effort to ensure access to fresh food for all and promote urban farming as the new chairperson of the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee.

“Fresh food and a clean environment are of critical importance regardless of where in the state you live,” Harper said. “As chairperson of the House’s agriculture committee, I will continue my work to promote urban agriculture and to expand agriculture across our state not just as a way to provide food or fuel sources, but to also provide good jobs for rural and urban Illinoisans.”

Harper is the first African-American woman in the Illinois House to serve as the head of the Agriculture & Conservation Committee. Previously, she served as the vice-chairperson of the committee, where she focused on efforts to expand urban agriculture in the state in order to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to food deserts. Harper also served on the Growing Our Agricultural Economy Transition Committee for the administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“As the first black woman to serve as House Agriculture & Conservation Committee chairperson, I know I have the ability to bring in fresh, new perspectives to agricultural issues in Illinois,” Harper said. “I look forward to working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in order to bridge rural and urban divides and to ensure that the important place of agriculture to our state, its economy, and its culture is prioritized in the House.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, met with members of the Streator-area Future Farmers of America (FFA) during their visit to the Capitol this week.

“Organizations like the FFA allow our young people to grow and develop,” said Yednock. “Farmers are essential to the economy of the Illinois Valley and a driving force for the state’s economy as a whole. With opportunities to lead, learn, and engage in their community and their state, it was great to see so many students from the 76th district.”

Yednock met with members of the Streator Chapter of the FFA during the annual Illinois FFA Day at the Capitol, where FFA members from across the state met with their state legislators. As a member of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, Yednock is a strong voice for farmers and agricultural legislation as it comes before the committee.