CORN GROWER S ASSOCIATION’S Political Papers

DECEMBER 2008

CALENDAR Digital Democracy Has Arrived Jan 3, 2009 - Beginning of 111th Congress ―Ask not what your country can David Lazarus, former Agricul- our forces for political action. Jan 8, 2009—Joint session do for you, but what you can do ture policy aide to Senator We have also upgraded our web to count Electoral Col- for your country" meets cyber- Durbin, led the grassroots efforts site – www.ilcorn.org – all with lege votes space. This is how many for President the intent of getting you the infor- Jan 20, 2009 - Inaugura- political analysts are de- Obama serving mation you need to get involved tion scribing the winning cam- as National Rural as efficiently as possible and mak- paign of President-Elect Vote Deputy ing your engagement in the politi- Obama. Originally con- Director. Lazarus cal process easier. sidered a long-shot for was critical in ICGA members in a recent survey the presidency, President mobilizing the said they considered public educa- Obama knows how to rural vote and tion a top priority issue and obvi- inspire others or at least highlighting Presi- ously key influencers like elected communicate with them dent Obama’s officials will be at the top of the in a new way. commitment to list. In the months ahead we will His campaign went mod- agriculture and be attempting to re-brand corn ern grassroots and capi- rural America. growers image with a focus on talized on the Web to economi- Illinois Corn Growers Associa- the unheralded increasing produc- cally build a brand by connecting tion has ventured into this elec- tivity of the industry and corn and engaging with large groups tronic territory too, by launching farmers as a source of answers of people. The best way to sway an email or web-based newslet- for the nation from food to feed opinion is to develop an encom- ter years ago, collecting member to fuel. PAC will play a key role in passing dialogue that leverages emails whenever possible to this effort to assure the message peer-to-peer influence. speed the process of marshaling is heard.

Illinois Corn Growers Association PO Box 1623 Congressman Foster Visits Patriot Bloomington, IL 61702-1623 As retired in Illinois Corn Growers Associa- thus, the ethanol plant and the

early 2008, a special election was tion sought some time with Fos- processes occurring there held P: 309-557-3257 held in the 14th District between ter and scheduled a tour of Pa- special interest for him. He was F: 309-827-0916 Jim Oberweis and triot Renewable Energy in Anna- led through the loading facilities, with Foster being the victor. wan, IL. the fermentation area, and even www.ilcorn.org Again, Foster won the scheduled Prior to representing the 14th got an up close look at the prof- [email protected] election in November. District, Foster was employed itable by-product of ethanol pro- duction, dried distillers grains. And as a freshman Congressman with Fermi National Accelerator new to the ethanol industry, the Laboratory as a researcher and (continued, page 3) P A G E 2 Political Action Committee 101

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The November elections are son, Jr, Rep. Janice Scha- Leader, Senator Durbin must going to mean a significant kowsky, and even retiring Illi- not only advocate for Illinois change to the Illinois Congres- nois Senate President Emil but for the interest of the sional Delegation. Perhaps the Jones. But while we don’t party as a whole. largest change will be the hole have any idea who Gov. Blago- Obama’s road to the White left by President-elect Barack jevich will actually nominate House has also caused a ripple Obama as he heads to the for this position, we do know effect throughout Illinois as he White House and taking with that Senator Durbin hopes for gathers up his trusted friends him several Illinois politicians. a fellow Senator that will con- to serve in various capacities in Several names have been tinue to help carry the best Washington. Right now, the thrown around for his replace- interests of Illinois into the primary vacancy is in the 5th Newly elected ment, such as Rep. Jesse Jack- Senate Chamber. As Majority District with Rahm Emanuel’s Congresswoman appointment as Chief of Staff Debbie for President-Elect Obama. Halvorson Emanuel’s seat will be filled by (center) poses special election within 115 days of his resignation which with Jim and Pam has not yet been received. Robbins at their home in Peo- Other key elections were held in the 11th and 18th Congres- tone. ICGA sional Districts as Rep. Jerry looks forward to Weller and Rep. Ray LaHood working with retire. Winning in the 11th Halvorson in the District is former Illinois State coming 111th Senator Debbie Halvorson, a Congress. democrat from Crete, IL who was also (continued, page 4)

POLITICAL PAPERS DECEMBER 2008 P A G E 3 Foster Visits Patriot Renewable Energy (cont.)

Congressman Bill Foster, re- gressman and others that had come placing Denny Hastert in the for the tour, indicating that Patriot 14th Congressional District, is the largest ―grass roots‖ project visited Patriot Renewable En- ever developed in the north west- ern part of the state. ergy to learn more about the ethanol industry and the im- Because of the timing of the event, pact on his district. Foster was also concerned about Patriot’s access to capitol for the project and whether or not similar But visiting the ethanol plant as a and exactly how many bushels of projects will have the same access Congressman and not a researcher corn the plant plans to utilize, as- to lending opportunities given our meant that he also asked a lot of sisting Foster’s producer constitu- nations current lending crisis. Grif- “The ascension questions about the jobs created at ents in the process. fith agreed that these sorts of pro- of Cullterton to the plant, the affect of higher natu- President and CEO of the plant, jects will face many more hardships ral gas costs on their bottom line, Gene Griffith, addressed the Con- in the years to come. the top Senate

post is seen as

an opportunity Four Tops May Offer New Harmony by Democrats … to more

The election of new Democratic were on a parallel path, which ob- Senate post is seen as an opportu- easily move and Republican leadership in the servers estimated had not occurred nity by Democrats to utilize dyna- , half of whom make for several decades. The GOP mi- mite to unclog a logjam in the Illi- legislation.” up ―the Four Tops,‖ provide a new nority in the Senate will be lead by nois legislative river, and more potential for unlocking the stale- Sen. Christine Radogno. Sen. Ra- easily move legislation through the mate in the Illinois State Capitol dogno’s candidacy was supported House and Senate, which had fre- among the Senate, House, and Gov- by Sen. Frank Watson, who lead quently been held up by Sen. Presi- ernor. The retirement and early the Senate Republicans for 6 years, dent Jones. resignation of former Senate Presi- but was felled by a stroke just prior Cullerton says his agenda has capi- dent , Jr., has allowed to the election. He relinquished his tal improvement legislation and Sen. , , to leadership position, but has re- education funding at the top. become head of the Democratic tained his Senate seat. Democrats and Republicans in the caucus, tantamount to his expected Since the Democrats have a veto- election as President of the Senate. Illinois House re-elected their cau- proof majority in the Senate, the cus leaders, Democrat Mike Madi- And unlike traditions in the past GOP remains the ―loyal opposi- when unsuccessful leadership candi- gan, Chicago, and Republican Tom tion,‖ but Sen. Radogno will take on Cross, Oswego. dates were relegated to lowly posi- her new role when the House and tions, Cullerton has indicated that Senate leaders—the Four Tops— his chief opponent Sen. James Clay- discuss operational and policy is- borne, East St. Louis, will become sues or meet with the governor. the Senate Majority Leader. Clay- borne fills the post vacated by Sen. The greatest potential for change in Debbie Halvorson, who has re- the political stalemate lies with Sen. cently been elected to Congress Cullerton. He is politically closer to and will not return to the Illinois House Speaker Madigan and farther from the governor than his prede- Senate. Senator Frank Watson and IL Corn cessor Sen. Emil Jones, Jr. The as- leader Greg Guenther talked about At the same time the Democrats cension of Cullerton to the top were reorganizing, the Republicans ethanol issues at the E85 Mustang Chal- lenge in October. Illinois Corn Growers Association

PO Box 1623 Bloomington, IL 61702-1623

www.ilcorn.org

Changes (cont.) DONATE

the first woman elected as Majority ICGA will begin this winter educating Donating to the ICGA PAC is easy! Leader in the Illinois State Senate. the newest additions to the Illinois Simply complete your personal check Also beginning his service in the US Congressional Delegation as well as and fill out the form below. House of Representatives is Aaron encouraging veteran Congressmen to Schock of Peoria , Illinois. Schock has bring the freshmen up to speed on Name: ______spent the last several years in the key agricultural issues such as etha- Illinois State House of Representa- nol, rising input costs and the need Address: ______tives. for lock improvement appropriations.

______

Garry Nie- ______meyer, NCGA; Amount: ______Mark Degler, ICGA, Con- PAC contributions are not tax de- gressman John ductible and cannot be treated as a Shimkus, 19th District; & business expense. For ICGA’s PAC Andy Goleman, Policies and Guidelines, contact the ICGA ICGA office at 309-557-3257.