Gov. Pritzker Meets with Illinois Agriculture Leaders Concerned About Trump’s Tax on Working Families

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker spoke with leaders from agriculture commodity groups in the State including: the Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss the current and potential impacts of Trump’s Tax on Working Families on Illinois farmers and the state’s agricultural industry. ​ 

“I believe Trump’s Tax on Working Families is devastating to the farmers who form the backbone of Illinois’ agricultural sector, an area where Illinois leads the nation in imports and exports alike,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Already, I’m hearing directly from the agricultural community that they may or will have to reduce production and lay off workers if this tax continues—an especially concerning reality considering the already high price of groceries affecting working families.” ​ 

Illinois is the third largest exporter in the nation of agricultural commodities and is a national leader in corn, soybean, and pork production. The state is reliant on these industries for continued economic stability. If tariffs continue being implemented, they will be a tax shouldered by farmers and working families to fund Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthiest billionaires. 

“As the 4th largest state in pork production, the Illinois Pork Producers Association is grateful for the opportunity to have a conversation with Governor Pritzker regarding our industry,” said Jennifer Tirey, Executive Director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. “As our livestock markets have strengthened in recent months, we know this is in part due to export demand from trade partners around the world. We appreciate Governor Pritzker’s willingness to learn more about what is important to our farmers and to help their profitability.” 

“We are fortunate to have strong ties among our farm organizations and the state’s leaders. The Governor’s outreach and continued dialogue with ag groups about our priorities and economic conditions impacting our industry is a product of this working relationship that benefits Illinois’ farm families, agriculture workers, and every consumer in the state,” said Josh St. Peters, Executive Director of the Illinois Beef Association.

"Illinois is the No. 1 soybean producing state in the nation, and 60% of our product is exported out of Illinois. As soybean production continues to increase, the role of the Illinois Soybean Association is to open new markets and create global demand for Illinois soybeans,” said John Lumpe, CEO of the Illinois Soybean Association. “We appreciate Governor Pritzker’s commitment to this conversation, as well as our continuing partnership with Illinois Corn, Illinois Pork Producers Association, and Illinois Beef Association which reaches well beyond our state borders. ISA looks forward to working closely with the State of Illinois to ensure a sustainable future for Illinois agriculture.” ​ 

“The discussion around tariffs has added tremendous market volatility that makes family farming even more difficult to weather financially,” said Rodney Weinzierl, Executive Director of the Illinois Corn Growers Association. “Mexico is our largest market for corn equating to nearly a billion bushels of market for corn and products produced with corn like beef, pork, and poultry. We must maintain good relationships with Mexico if we wish to protect Illinois farm families.” 

In addition to Trump’s Tax on Working Families, Governor Pritzker and the agriculture leaders discussed concerns around the federal government delaying funding for critical programs like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) that has been essential in maintaining food safety and keeping businesses running smoothly. For weeks, the Trump Administration delayed federal funds from IDOA, stopping payments to support these critical services at a time when the price of food is already a main stressor for American families. ​ 

If federal funds once again become inaccessible, this could jeopardize the ability to operate meat and poultry processing facilities at full capacity which would reduce the supply for the state and nation’s food chain, resulting in employment insecurity, higher grocery prices, and create unnecessary burdens on Illinois farmers, businesses, and working families. Illinois cannot sustain inspection services without this critical partnership and the state was preparing to make tough decisions with limited resources to keep these plants running while it had the financial ability. The two-pronged attack on the agricultural industry in the form of funding delays and high taxes creates an unstable situation for Illinois farmers and the millions of people they feed. 

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