SPRINGFIELD, IL—Yesterday, a group of lawmakers gathered in Springfield to hear testimony on the issue of chemical drift, which occurs when agricultural chemicals applied to a farmer’s fields drift onto neighboring properties.
Issues 
Agriculture
Agriculture
Tag:agriculture
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A weekly update on issues from Illinois State Senator Gary Forby
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted the Governor’s request to designate 58
State Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, is pleased that local farmers who suffered severe crop losses this year from weather-related factors are being assisted by the federal government.
House Bill 3990 establishes a Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council. The council will be responsible for ensuring that 20% of all food and food products purchased by state agencies and state owned facilities come from Illinois local farms by the year 2020. Additionally the law will increase the accessibility of fresh produce, grains, meat, dairy and other foods necessary for a well-balanced diet to urban areas.
Legislation introduced by Sen. Collins will be signed Tuesday at State Fair
The law will form the Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council, which will work with state agencies,
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Earlier this year, there was a lot of discussion about cap-and-trade laws. Cap-and-trade is a way to reduce pollution-especially carbon emissions. Though this is a national issue, I want to explain my take on the situation. I support efforts to lower pollution levels, but I do not believe that cap-and-trade is the best answer. It will affect some industries and regions of the country much more than others. Unless the law includes careful safeguards, some companies could go out of business. The cities and towns that rely on those companies could see their economies shrink, and thousands, maybe millions of people could lose their jobs. I believe Southern Illinois is one of those regions that might be hit hard by cap-and-trade laws. Two major local industries-coal mining and agriculture-could be hurt. 
SPRINGFIELD
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 58 counties in Illinois (including Champaign and Vermilion) as natural disaster areas. This designation allows farmers in these counties to qualify for disaster assistance.
State Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), Chairman of the Illinois Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee, has called a hearing at the request of State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) to hear testimony on the negative effects of chemical drift in Illinois.
State Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), Chairman of the Illinois Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee, has called a hearing at the request of State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) to hear testimony on the negative effects of chemical drift in Illinois.
ELGIN, IL –State Senator Michael Noland’s (D-Elgin) announced today that legislation designed to prevent urban food deserts, create new community jobs and promote Illinois local farms was signed into law by Governor Quinn.
SPRINGFIELD