CORN GROWER S ASSOCIATION’S Political Papers

SEPTEMBER 2008

CALENDAR ICGA Travels to Washington DC For YOU! Sept 26, 2008 - House Target Adjournment Over the past year, the ICGA Nov 4, 2008 - Election Board of Directors has made

Jan 3, 2009 - Beginning of several trips to Washington, DC. 111th Congress The purpose of these trips is to talk about upcoming issues and Jan 20, 2009 - Inaugura- act as a resource for our Illinois tion Congressional Delegation. Most recently, food and fuel has been on the minds of our elected officials. ICGA Board Members were able to provide our delega- tion with talking points and infor- mation proving that corn played a minimal role to skyrocketing food prices. ICGA thanked our Illinois delegation for passage of the Water Resources Development Act and the 2008 Farm Bill. Pictured We have also discussed needed appropriations for the Water left to right: Garry Niemeyer, Mark Degler, Congressman John Resources Development Act and Shimkus, and Andy Goleman. have thanked them for their vote to authorize the funding for lock historical occasion; it was only Additionally, the board has upgrades in the first place. The the 107th presidential veto over- worked with elected officials to final authorization vote was a ride in our nation’s history! (cont on page 4)

Illinois Corn Growers Association PO Box 1623 PAC Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations! Bloomington, IL 61702-1623 The Illinois Corn Growers Asso- gift certificate for GSI; Steve Pigg, resulting in an addition $1000

ciation Political Action Commit- Bushnell, who won five bags of cash donation to the PAC! P: 309-557-3257 tee completed our first fund- Pioneer seed corn; and Yvonne F: 309-827-0916 The evening also featured a live raiser event on August 19 and Fitchhorn who won a $1000 gift auction where Bears tickets for

ended the evening with an addi- certificate to Sloan’s Express. this fall and a long weekend at www.ilcorn.org tional $9000 to spend during the Fitchhorn then donated her win- Martin Barbre’s Kentucky home [email protected] coming election and next year! nings back to the PAC and the were sold. Raffle winners were Jeff Scates, Sloan’s Express gift was auc- In addition to raising extra Shawneetown, who won a $1000 tioned to Ken Greene, Durand, (cont page 3) P A G E 2 Political Action Committee 101

PACs have become a legitimate As an example, if there is an looking for a key vote, if your and important part of the po- election for a federal office in candidate (now in Congress) litical landscape. Donating to a your area and you would be can vote in our favor, ICGA candidate or elected official willing to give $200 to that and YOU have access to that sends a signal that you want candidate and host a formal Congressman and can express that individual in office. Be- event, the ICGA PAC would our desires and thoughts on cause you have shown support, match your contribution and the vote. the candidate or official is the contributions of those Your contribution to the ICGA therefore more likely to listen attending, thus doubling your PAC really does make a differ- to your point of view or vote support for the candidate, ence in how effective your the way that you would like. creating a personal relationship organization can be for you on The ICGA PAC is set up to between you and the candi- a legislative level. That PAC only match member contribu- date, and encouraging your constantly creates relationships Bill Christ hosted a tions. This allows us to re- political involvement. that help us gain votes in fundraiser for Aaron spond to member requests. In this way, ICGA becomes Washington, DC. Schock on August 29. more effective. When we are

“From my Candidate Events Held Statewide perspective, a The PAC has been more active ’s great event. Great than ever during this 2008 empty seat in discussion, great election season. Several fed- the 11th Con- eral offices are up for election gressional Dis- people, great and the PAC has been involved trict was present in each of the races. at an event on time.” Remember, the ICGA PAC September 9 hosted by Jim Pat O’Brien, responds to member interest when determining which candi- Robbins at his Congressman Phil dates to support. If we have farm in Peotone. membership that wish to con- Jim Rapp hosted Hare staff tribute on both sides of a race, an event for Left to Right: John Kuhfuss, Ross Pauli, ICGA PAC will match those Marty Ozinga, , and Kent Kleinschmidt contributions. running against discuss the upcoming harvest and predic- Halverson in the Colleen Callahan (D) and tions for 2008 yields. (R) are 11th District, on Congressman feeling that they developed a vying for the 18th September 17 in Princeton. (far good communication with the Congressional District. All events have been well at- Congressman. right) and Rob Bill Christ of Meta- tended and much appreciated Elliott mora hosted an event by the candidates. If you are interested in sched- (middle) visit at his home for Schock uling an event for your Con- Additionally, the PAC has been gressman, please let us know. with other on August 29 and John active with our current Con- The minimum requirement for contributors Kuhfuss of Mackinaw gressional Delegation as well. hosted an event at his an event is five ICGA members at Elliott’s On August 13th, Rob Elliott farm for Callahan on that are willing to give $200 or farm. hosted an event for Phil Hare September 9. more. ICGA PAC will then at his farm in Cameron. Feed- match total member contribu- Illinois Senator Debbie back from the event was very tions up to $2000. Halvorson, running for positive, with all contributors

POLITICAL PAPERS SEPTEMBER 2008 P A G E 3 PAC Fundraiser Success (cont.) money for our association PAC, PAC Chairman Steve Ruh current and former board members congratulates District 15 were getting to know each other, Director Jeff Scates on renewing friendshjps, and celebrat- winning a $1000 GSI gift ing the progress that ICGA has made to the corn industry in Illi- certificate from the PAC nois. raffle held on August 19, 2008. Thanks to all who participated and joined us for this exciting event! “The most

likely

movement

toward a For Illinois: Who - and What - Might Change? different future stateside will

Focusing on the who issue first, an unopposed ride to reelection. Of democrat occur with the shows us little change in the make- the remaining 18 races, eleven are ( Majority Leader ) selection of a up and membership of the Illinois considered ‘safe’ seats for the in- over GOP challenger Martin Ozinga General Assembly. cumbents despite opposing candi- and, in the race to succeed Ray new President dates on the ballot – leaving seven LaHood (R-18th), where GOP’s Of Illinois 59 current senate mem- of the Senate.” bers, 19 are not facing reelection races to watch. At least two of this Aaron Schock (currently serving in this year, 19 others have no oppo- grouping could see a change of the Illinois House) is presently fa- nents on the ballot and all but three party representation. vored over democratic challenger of the remaining 21 are currently The ‘watch’ category of contests Colleen Callahan. ahead in their reelection efforts. includes incumbents As far as what might change – there A glance at the 118 current house (R-6th), (D-8th), Mark are numerous possibilities. membership shows 57 incumbents Kirk (R-10th) and (R- The most likely movement toward have no opponent, leaving them 13th), all of whom are favored at a different future stateside will oc- with a free ride to reelection and as this time to return to Washington cur with the selection of a new many as 41 of the remaining 61 DC for another term. As is Bill President of the Senate. Jones has districts appearing to offer minimal Foster (D-11th) who previously been the primary ally of Democ- probability of change. won a special election to replace ratic Governor retiring former GOP Speaker of the Control of either chamber is who has spent the bulk of House . Foster is unlikely to switch, although there his recent years in a com- facing perennial GOP hopeful Jim could be a shift in numbers within bative state with the gen- Oberweiss. the ranks of either party. eral assembly. Changes in party representation are Federally, unlike the lineup for And, since most members possible in the cases of retiring statehouse races, only one of our of both chambers are tired Illinois Congressman Jerry Weller 19 congressional incumbents, Con- of the ongoing gridlock, it (R-11th), where political demo- gressman Phil Hare (D – 17th) has is highly graphics indicate potential shifts to (cont, page 4) State Senator John Sullivan and Garry Niemeyer, Auburn, IL Illinois Corn Growers Association

PO Box 1623 Bloomington, IL 61702-1623

www.ilcorn.org

ICGA in DC (cont.) Change (cont.)

ensure that the Renewable Fuels tude that they have listened to what unlikely the next senate leader will be any- Standard remained intact. After a is best for Illinois farmers, and con- one with strong attachments to Gov. Blago- request from Texas Governor Rick tinue to provide educational tools so jevich. This will open the flow of legislative Perry, we had a lot of work to do, that they might always back up the productivity (which, in itself could be argu- educating Congress that waiving the decisions they have made. mentatively good or bad). But, it would be a RFS would be counter productive. major change. It is your PAC dollars given to elected officials And, of course, one can never underesti- that gain us access to tell mate the power of the Presidency - espe- this story! cially if the next President is from our state. Of course, after the his- History has shown greater reception favor- toric passage of the ing programs, incentives and spending flows WRDA bill and finally to those states from where the sitting Presi- getting a Farm Bill 2008 dent resides, meaning potentially greater passed, we have also impact from energy, environmental, trans- spent a lot of time thank- ing our Congressmen and portation, social and agricultural sectors and Senators. During election representatives. President Art Bunting and Senator Durbin, time, it is good to take an Still, change is in the eye of the beholder opportunity to thank along with other members of the board, and requires action on the part of the them, express our grati- discuss flooding concerns in March 2008. voter!