As we enter the fields to plant each year, the Illinois General Assembly wraps up its legislative session in Springfield. It’s important that we reflect on the significant strides we have made in shaping policy that affects our livelihoods and our industry. We should also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. As farmers who are engaged with the professional team at Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG), we have made certain that our collective message is heard and echoed throughout the Capitol.

Our opinions matter. Our farming legacies are directly impacted by a variety of policies. This includes environmental legislation such as pesticide regulations and wetland protection regulations. It extends to the estate tax and rules on carbon sequestration.

In the most recent session, ISG advocated for increasing funding for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA’s) Fall Cover for Spring Savings program. Historically, this program has been oversubscribed and underfunded despite the overwhelming number of farmers who apply each year. This year, ISG pushed for an increase from $660,000 (covering 100,000 acres) to $3.1 million (covering 5000,000 acres). Unfortunately, we encountered opposition because of concerns about expanding the program too aggressively. Despite the opposition, legislators secured a 50 percent funding increase for Illinois farmers. ISG remains committed to making agriculture, and support for adoption of voluntary conservation practices, a priority in Springfield.

One of the top priorities for agriculture this legislative session: estate tax reform. Currently, the Illinois Estate Tax threshold is $4 million. With the cost of farmland dramatically increasing, farmers are having to sell off portions of their land as the farm transitions to the next generation. This enables them to pay the resulting estate tax. Although the state’s $53.1 billion budget did not include reform of the estate tax, our efforts were not in vain. Throughout the fight, ISG collaborated with key entities such as the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the Attorney General’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office, and the House Revenue Chair’s Office. As of this writing, the Attorney General’s Office is preparing to release detailed data on annual estate characteristics. This strategic move sets the stage for a more informed, robust estate tax plan in the coming years. It will allow ISG to continue this work to ease the burden on growers.

None of these proposed changes became law, but they are sure to reappear in the future. Whether it was on the wetland legislation, the lack of conservation support, the proposed Clean Fuel Standard, or the carbon capture bill, many of the proposed benefits would ultimately harm many Illinois farmers. ISG remains committed to representing all of Illinois. It will push for outcomes that work for Illinois farmers, not just one market or commodity over another.

Farmer to farmer, we stood together this legislative season and made our voices heard. Our unity and determination have proved that when we come together, we can influence genuine change. We must continue to build on the momentum we have generated. Not only do we need to stay at the forefront of current challenges, we must also be proactive to anticipate future obstacles. This involves continued engagement with policymakers, research to advocate for better policies, strengthened alliances with other agricultural organizations, and ongoing collaboration with ISG – the largest farm organization in Illinois representing soybean farmers.

As we move forward, let’s remain committed to our cause and to one another. Our work together is far from over, but with each year, we grow stronger and more influential, a powerful force in shaping farm policy. During these days of division and political unrest, perhaps agriculture’s greatest opportunity lies in our ability to educate and advocate for the freedom to farm and feed the world.