Governmental Affairs Update - Champaign County Farm Bureau

State Update:
The spring legislative session brought several developments that impact Illinois agriculture, including both successes and ongoing challenges. One of the most notable efforts was the Family Farm Preservation Act, which received an overwhelming response from grassroots members—over 1,200 calls were made to legislators and adopted legislators across the state. While this surge of advocacy showed the strength and unity of the ag community, the act ultimately did not advance, due in large part to the state’s significant budget deficit and reluctance among lawmakers to decrease revenue at this time. On a positive note, Senate Bill 710, addressing nuisance deer, passed with unanimous support in both the House and Senate. This bipartisan success demonstrates a shared understanding of the impact deer have on crop production. Efforts to modernize and simplify wetlands regulations did not move forward this session. However, conversations remain active, and Farm Bureau continues to advocate for landowner rights in this effort. There was also broad support and ongoing discussion regarding continuing education credits for applicator licenses that should produce results soon. A proposal for transit reform, which included the elimination of the biodiesel sales tax credit, failed to advance. Farm Bureau opposed this portion of the bill, and we remain committed to protecting incentives that support renewable fuels and Illinois-grown commodities. To help close the state’s budget gap, legislators approved targeted tax increases, including hikes on sports betting revenues and short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. While these taxes are not directly tied to agriculture, they reflect the broader fiscal pressure that shaped the session’s outcomes.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with nine legislators to advocate for key issues impacting Illinois agriculture. These visits are part of IFB’s continued effort to ensure that our lawmakers understand the real-world implications of federal policy on farmers and rural communities. While IFB supports the agricultural provisions in the current federal spending bill, we continue to emphasize the need for a comprehensive, long-term Farm Bill that provides certainty and stability for producers. Discussions in Congress remain fractured, with the House narrowly passing a reconciliation bill by just one vote. The Senate is now working from that version, but concerns are mounting due to concerns about tax structure, which appears to place a greater burden on lower-income Americans while offering more favorable treatment to higher-income individuals. Additionally, changes to the SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) could have major financial consequences for Illinois and other states, potentially adding $800 million to the illinois’ budget. IFB is advocating for a “skinny” Farm Bill to go along with the spending package—a more limited legislative package that could not have any financial impacts but would still address urgent regulatory concerns. This approach could allow Congress to act on issues like fixing Prop 12 implementation and improving administrative rules for existing programs. On the trade front, IFB is calling attention to a long-term concern: China’s crushing of U.S. corn and soybeans has dropped by 1 million tons each since the trade war began. This decline threatens market stability, and IFB continues to push for a permanent resolution that restores trade relations. Another issue on IFB’s radar is the recent “Make America Healthy Again” report released by Secretary Kennedy. The report contains several recommendations that shed a negative light on agriculture, and IFB is working with lawmakers to ensure that agricultural groups have a seat at the table and that sound science guides the process. Lastly, the Trump administration has sent a rescission package to Congress, aiming to reclaim previously allocated but unspent funds. IFB is monitoring this closely for any potential impacts on agriculture-related programs.
-Lucas StarkCCFB Assistant Manager6/13/25

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