Illinois ag advocates say ‘lawmakers showed up for farmers’

For the most part, Illinois agricultural leaders are pleased with the $50.5 billion Illinois budget with its 550 pieces of legislation that landed on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk after the end of the spring session on May 27.

Lawmakers left out some legislation livestock farmers wanted left out. They agreed on legislation local food advocates wanted. But with a last-minute amendment, they may see a bill on landowner property rights get vetoed by the governor.

The Illinois Farm Bureau advocated for landowners’ rights when it comes to renewable energy projects on farmland. The goal is for farmers to be fairly compensated for impacts to drainage and their operations caused by solar and wind energy projects, says Mark Gebhards, IFB’s director of government affairs and commodities.