Congressional Staff Tour a Success!

Home , Bill Foster (politician), Cheri Bustos, Dan Lipinski, John Shimkus, Peter Roskam, Robin Kelly

ILLINOIS CORN GROWER S ASSOCIATION Political Papers

SEPTEMBER 2014

CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR Sept 8-19: Session FOSTER, BUSTOS MEET WITH EPA OFFICIALS Sept 22-26: In District

Sept 29-Oct 2: Session This summer, Rep. Bill Foster Following their presentations, Oct 6-Nov 6: In District organized and led a meeting at the scientists requested that the White House to discuss the White House ask EPA to Nov 6: Election Day! proposed changes to the Re- reconsider how they model newable Fuel Standard greenhouse gas emissions asso- (RFS). Foster was joined by ciated with corn-based ethanol, Democratic Representatives given that they have found that Tammy Duckworth and Bill it reduces carbon dioxide Enyart. These three members emissions by an average of at of Congress spoke with key least 34% when compared to White House staff about corn and Dr. Steffen Mueller of the gasoline. ethanol and its value to the Re- University of Illinois at Chicago EPA is expected to issue a revised newable Fuel Standard. were there to present their latest RFS rule in the near future, alt- research on the greenhouse gas Dr. Michael Wang from the hough no date has been set for emission benefits of corn-based Argonne National Laboratory the announcement. ethanol.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALENDAR

Nov 19-21: Veto Session CONGRESSIONAL STAFF TOUR A SUCCESS!

Dec 2-4: Veto Session IL Corn Marketing Board hosted a Congressional Staff Tour on Illinois Corn Growers August 12-14 along with Illinois Association Soybean Program Operating PO Box 1623 Board and GROWMARK. Bloomington, IL Seven staff members of the Illinois 61702-1623 Congressional delegation traveled to Illinois to learn more about P: 309-557-3257 Illinois agriculture. F: 309-827-0916 A visit to Lock and Dam 15, Patri- ot Renewable Energy ethanol www.ilcorn.org plant, Reason’s Prairie Pride, [email protected] Goldstar FS Plant Food Storage Facility, and several family farms helped round out their education on the need for updated river preservation goals, and fertilizer Seven staff of Illinois Congressional infrastructure, the potential for safety and security programs. offices visited Illinois in August to learn more about the big issues facing agricul- ethanol to accomplish energy While this is an important time ture in 2014, among them, the need for security and environmental updated locks and dams. P A G E 2 GRASSROOTS ACTION NEEDED! Illinois Corn Growers Associa- alerts so we can let you know text alerts when your action is tion often looks to when we need action. vital to the future of the ag farmer members to industry. You can sign up for text alerts help support our on our website. Look for the Signing up for text alerts will efforts and the image to the left on the require your ICGA member preservation of your homepage and click through number. If you need your farm, family, and the prompts to sign up using Member Number, please do future. our easy system. not hesitate to contact Rosie Please consider be- at (309) 557-3257 You can rest assured that we coming one of the or [email protected]. will treat your personal infor- farmers we can mation with consideration and count on to call confidentiality. We will not Congress and send share your cell phone number emails when need- with other companies or asso- ed. Sign up for text ciations and we will only send

RECENT PAC DONATIONS ASSIST CANDIDATES

In 2014, your PAC has contributed to the following elect- ed officials:  Mark Kirk  Cheri Bustos (right)  Rodney Davis If you would like to  Tammy Duckworth receive this  Bill Enyart

newsletter  Bill Foster

electronically to save  Luis Gutierrez  Robin Kelly printing costs, please  Dan Lipinski email your request to  Peter Roskam [email protected].  Janice Schakowsky  John Shimkus (right) We look forward to schedul- ing PAC events for Congress- men Aaron Schock and Adam Kinzinger as soon as schedules permit. Thank you to the farmers who contributed matching funds to make these contributions pos- sible!

POLITICAL PAPERS SEPTEMBER 2014 P A G E 3 CONG STAFF TOUR (cont.)

(Continued from page 1) both helped staff understand the for staffers to learn more about potential of unmanned aerial vehi- their Illinois farmer constituents, it cles for farm applications and impli- is also an important time for the cations for policy and brought a fair staff themselves to bond. Conver- measure of fun to the event. sations and cooperation between Congressmen Duckworth, Enyart, offices are always more frequent Kelley, Kinzinger, Lipinski, and Rush and easier following a fun and en- as well as Senator Kirk were repre- gaging experience like the Illinois sented at the 2014 Congressional Congressional Staff Tour. Staff Tour. To that end, the staff got to do some fun activities as well. Among them, a drone flying contest that E15 COULD MAKE GAINS IN CHICAGO

On July 28, the Chicago City Coun- pened yet. The next step will be for in all passenger vehicles 2001 and cil Committee on Finance heard a the Committee on Finance to call a newer, and all flex fuel vehicles. proposal that would offer Chicago- vote on the ordinance. If it passes The Illinois Corn Growers Associa- ans enhanced choice at the out of committee, it will then be tion and Illinois Renewable Fuels pump...access to E15. Action to presented to the full City Council. Association support Alderman finalize the ordinance could come The ordinance would require all Burke and Alderman Beale’s ordi- as early as September. gas stations in the City to offer E15 nance. Can you imagine that Chicago at their station at a minimum of LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE E15 would be the first major market for one pump. Federal rules require THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS E15? And that the people backing that E10 remain available for sale the initial proposal aren't farm, wherever E15 is sold. The Illinois Corn Growers Associa- corn, or ethanol organiza- tion is still working a bill in the Right now we have about 10 loca- tions? That's the case now as long- Illinois General Assembly that tions in Illinois that offer E15 as a time City Alderman Burke, some- would transfer the E10 sales tax standalone fueling option. Remem- times called the unofficial Mayor of incentive to E15 … and return ber, E15 has been approved for use Chicago, teamed up with Alderman money to the Illinois treasury in Beale to introduce the process. the ordinance. Envi- Although there is no ronmental health significant action on and consumer that bill, the movement choice were on their in Chicago makes it minds, and E15 de- more likely that Chica- livers on both issues. go area legislators Due to the Council’s could get on board! summer schedule and Aldermen’s summer vacations, the vote hasn’t hap- Illinois Corn Growers Association PO Box 1623 Bloomington, IL 61702-1623

www.ilcorn.org

IL CORN PAC EVENT, NOV 24 DONATE

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PAC contributions are not tax de- ductible and cannot be treated as a Join Illinois Corn for their annual PAC casino night on November 24, 2014 at the business expense. For ICGA’s PAC Asmark Building, Carole Dr, Bloomington, IL. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm, casino games follow, and a raffle and silent auction winners are announced at the end of Policies and Guidelines, contact the the night. A $50 donation per person covers your meal and casino chips; higher ICGA office at 309-557-3257. priced ticket options are available. Please contact Becky Finfrock at [email protected] for more information.