Gov. Pritzker Urges Congress to Provide Long-Term Market Certainty to Illinois Farmers

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging for a swift passage of legislation to permanently allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline and bring long term certainty, as Trump’s tariffs and global instability are driving up costs and squeezing Illinois farmers.

“Mounting pressure on the agriculture economy can be traced directly back to recent federal policy decisions,” wrote Governor JB Pritzker. “From the devastating effects of tariffs to ongoing global instability, Illinois farmers are being forced to shoulder rising costs while losing export markets to foreign competitors. Expanding year-round E15 sales would increase domestic demand for ethanol, broaden markets for corn, and provide the kind of certainty farmers urgently need.”

In the letter to leadership of the U.S. House on Environment and Public Works and Senate Energy and Commerce Committees, Gov. Pritzker stressed that instability in global energy supply chains from the war in Iran — combined with tariffs that have disrupted trade flows — has tightened margins for farmers across Illinois and increased gas prices for consumers.

E15 is a fuel blend made with 15% ethanol — most commonly produced from corn — and 85% gasoline. For Illinois farmers, expanding year-round access to E15 would mean stronger domestic demand for corn at a time when Trump’s tariffs and global instability from Trump’s War in Iran are shrinking export markets. Increased ethanol demand helps support corn prices, strengthens rural economies, and provides a more stable, homegrown market for Illinois farmers.

“Illinois farmers need dependable, long-term policies they can count on, not short-term fixes,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Making E15 available year-round would increase the demand for Illinois corn, keeping the nation’s energy dollars in the Midwest and reducing our reliance on foreign oil. We appreciate Governor JB Pritzker’s leadership in pushing for a solution that puts farmers first.”

Last month, Governor Pritzker joined a bipartisan group of Governors from across the country requesting an E10 and E15 waiver. Following the letter, last week the Trump Administration announced it would lift restrictions on summer E10 and E15 sales across the country. While this is welcomed news, the Governor stressed that temporary administrative waivers fall short of providing the certainty needed for long-term planning and investment.

Illinois is standing strong in defense of its farmers, agribusinesses, and other industry leaders that power the state’s agricultural economy. Last year, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order mobilizing state support to mitigate the harmful effects of Trump’s tariffs on farm families. Additionally, the Governor urged Congress to pass the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, legislation that would return unlawfully collected tariffs back to American families. This came on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Attorney General and 22 other states to block Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American families, farmers, and businesses without congressional approval.

Please find full letter as well as the letter to the EPA below.

###