ILLINOIS CORN GROWER S ASSOCIATION Political Papers
DECEMBER 2012
CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR
Jan 3—113 Congress convenes COMMERCE STOPS ON UPPER MISS
Jan 21—Presidential Inauguration The drought of 2012 and the river. Additionally, the low Over 410 tows would be
Jan 14-25—Session extremely low water levels as water reveals hazardous rock impacted, and more than a result may completely stop formations near Thebes and 10,600 barges would be Feb 4-15—Session commerce on the Mississippi Grand Ridge that also make stopped River during the winter of 12- barge traffic impossible. Feb 25-Mar 22—Session 4,100 towboat jobs would be 13. IL Corn has asked for a Presi- impacted Apr 8-26—Session Low water caused by the dential Disaster Declaration 5 million barrels of domestic May 6-24—Session drought and the cessation of allowing for speedy removal of crude oil would be replaced water releases from the Mis- the rock formations and for by imported crude, costing souri River in accordance with water releases from the Mis- $545M in additional imports the Army Corps of Engineers souri to continue. About 300 million bushels of yearly plan will eliminate the If Mississippi River Commerce potential for barge traffic to were to close in the two month farm products delayed in carry goods up and down the period of December to January: reaching market
GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALENDAR ILLINOIS DELEGATION POST ELECTION Jan 9-May 31—Legislative Session November 6 came and In Illinois, President Obama won 57% of the went, four million dollars popular vote. Illinois Corn Growers were spent, and your legisla- ture remains largely the drawn con- In the new District 11, Judy Association same. Yes, some of you gressional Biggert (R) lost to Bill Foster PO Box 1623 were disappointed by the map, drawn (D). Bloomington, IL results but change does by the 61702-1623 In the new District 17, Bobby abound in Illinois. Whether Democratic Schilling (R) lost to Cheri or not it was the sort of party to Bustos (D). P: 309-557-3257 change you were hoping for, favor the F: 309-827-0916 your association is poised Democratic In the new District 13, Con- and ready to build new rela- party. gressman Tim Johnson left an www.ilcorn.org open seat with his retirement tionships and capitalize on op- In the new District 8, Joe Walsh [email protected] portunities in Washington, DC. that was filled in the general (R) lost to Tammy Duckworth election by Rodney Davis (R), a In 2013, you have seven new (D). former staff member for Con- Congressmen and women to In the new District 10, Robert gressman John Shimkus. Davis work with, most of which are Dold (R) lost to Brad Schneider eked out a .4% win Democrats. Most of this swing (D). (approximately 1000 votes) can be attributed to the newly (Continued on page 3) P A G E 2 YOUR CANDIDATE LOST? NOW WHAT?
One of the facts of political life is the agricultural economy in effect that it creates in the local that from time to time, the candi- Illinois, and nationally, strong. community and economy. date you support, not only politi- A second option is to support At the end of the day, what we cally, with your vote, but finan- the newly (or reelected) elected want as Illinois corn growers is a cially, with your wallet, will Member of Congress or Senator strong connection to the Mem- lose. Given this, there are a few whom you did not support in bers of the House and Senate, important things to consider hopes of, over time, gaining their and those in the Administration, going forward, especially if one of trust and support. This could who will make decisions that will your goals in supporting a partic- come in the form of political impact our ability to grow and ular candidate was to gain access campaign contributions or at- market corn. Getting to know to them or hope that they would tending local town hall meetings your Member of Congress will advocate on your behalf. where that Member may be and help us advance our goals of One option is to look to other saying something positive or growing our industry and simul- elected officials from your region favorable about him or taneously, the Illinois econo- who might be able to help ad- her. Inviting him or her to your my. Until the next election, it’s vance your cause, no matter farm, to your local ethanol plant, a good idea to spend some time what it might be. In our case, we or to a nearby lock and dam trying to get to know your local want to support candidates who system can help to show that elected officials, even if you will actively support the Farm Bill politician what your day to day didn’t vote for them. and related agricultural pro- life is like or how a particular ~David Beaudreau, grams, as well as those who will facility or piece of infrastructure support ethanol and transporta- functions and the related ripple D.C. Legislative and tion policies that will help keep Regulatory Services PAC EVENT RAISED $20,000
On November Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, 19, the Illinois Rodney Weinzierl, Ropp’s Corn Growers Dairy, and Tractor Supply. If you would like to Association The player with the most receive this Political Action “money” at the end of the Committee night received 50 hours use newsletter held their of a Case IH tractor. electronically to save fourth annual PAC fundrais- DONATIONS IN 2012 printing costs, please er. During the 2012 election Steve Pigg, Keith Yohnka, Garry Niemeyer, and email your request to The event cycle, the ICGA Federal PAC Jeff Scates enjoyed “casino night” at the 2012 raised over donated funds to the follow- [email protected]. Illinois Corn Growers Association Political Action $20,000 to ing Illinois Congressional Committee event. In total, over $20,000 was support Con- candidates: raised for ICGA to support elected officials that gressmen and support agriculture. Bobby Rush, District 1 women that Bill Lipinski, District 3 support agri- Mike Quigley, District 5 cultural issues. donation to benefit the ICGA Federal PAC. Robert Dold, District 10 This year, the event featured Bill Foster, District 11 a casino night where mem- The evening also featured Jason Plummer, District 12 bers could gamble with fake silent auction items from Rodney Davis, District 13 chips for an entrance fee/ Sloan’s Implement, John Randy Hultgren, District 14 Deere Corporate, Case IH, Bobby Schilling, District 17
POLITICAL PAPERS DECEMBER 2012 P A G E 3 ELECTIONS (cont.) (Continued from page 1) Illinois House delegation in Con- current 35 D 24 R—a loss of 5 over David Gill (D), a four time gress for the next session will be seats by Senate Republicans). candidate who has never won an 11 Democrats, 7 Republicans. Some of the swing can also be election. In Illinois where the new districts attributed to higher voter turnout In the new District 12, the vacant also heavily favored the Demo- for the Presidential election, with seat left by Congressman Jerry cratic party, the swing was also a higher percentage of democratic Costello’s retirement will be noticeable. The change in govern- leaning voters showing up at the filled by Bill Enyart (D) who de- ance was as follows: polls. feated Jason Plummer (R) in the Illinois House: 71 Democrats, We will watch for changes in lead- general election. 47 Republicans (changed from the ership at both the state and na- Finally, as Congressman Jesse current 64 D 54 R—a loss of 7 tional levels, including the makeup Jackson steps down from the new seats by House Republicans). of the House Ag Committee District 2, we will see a new Illinois Senate: 40 Democrats, which now includes freshman Congressman fill his seat for the 19 Republicans ( changed from the member of Congress, Rodney 113th Session of Congress. Davis.
NEW DEPARTMENT OF AG DIRECTOR FLIDER
FLIDER NEW DIRECTOR permanent Illinois Director of caucus as well. However, in the Agriculture. Senate Republican Caucus there The Senate took action and ap- “His experience with agriculture, was a different scene. There has proved legislation that nominated and his ability to work with the been speculation for months that Robert Flider as Director of the various agricultural interests, will Senate Republican Lead- Illinois Department of Agricul- be helpful to Illinois farmers,” er Christine Radagno ture. The original nomination said Jeff Scates, Shawneetown could face a chal- was made on March 1, 2012, farmer, of Bob Flider. lenge. That became which started a 60 session day reality when Senator clock for the Senate to take ac- IL CAUCUS LEADERSHIP Kyle McCarter chal- tion. lenged Senator Radagno In early December when the new for leadership of the It has become an accepted proto- legislators visited the State House col for the Senate to let appoint- Senate Republican Cau- for their orientation, individual cus. At the end of the ment nominations run close to caucus meetings were also held their statutory length. This has caucus meeting, Senator to nominate their respective Radagno was nominated allowed the nominees to serve in leaders. With the overwhelming their roles and show their skills and will continue to Democrat majorities in the serve as leader. and be somewhat evaluated. The House and Senate, it is no sur- proponents of the nomination prise that Speaker Madigan and The official election of stated during debate that they President Cullerton were re- the leaders will take Illinois Director of Agriculture, have been pleased with Interim nominated to lead their respec- place after the inaugura- Bob Flider Director Flider's performance. tive caucuses. tion of the 98th General The Senate approved the nomi- Assembly on January House Republican Leader Cross 9th. nation with 33 yes and 16 no was re-nominated to lead his votes making Bob Flider the new Illinois Corn Growers Association
PO Box 1623 Bloomington, IL 61702-1623
www.ilcorn.org
FUTURE OF ETHANOL IN ILLINOIS DONATE
ICGA has been working hard for the incentive at 10 percent sales tax sav- Donating to the ICGA PAC is easy! last two years to pass the Consumer ings. ICGA estimates that Illinois will Simply complete your personal check Fuel Choice for Illinois Act which increase revenue by over $100 mil- would transfer the state sales tax lion per year by transferring and low- and fill out the form below. incentive from E10 to E15, the re- ering the incentive, while still accom- cently certified fuel consisting of 15 plishing growth in the Illinois ethanol Name: ______percent ethanol and 85 percent gaso- industry and stimulating our rural line. economies. Address: ______Currently, the market for E10 in Illi- We propose that some of this savings ______nois is saturated. The current incen- will be used to fund blender pump tive for E10 has been successful, but installation, new technologies for the ______is no longer viable to increase ethanol ethanol industry, and corn-based eth- demand in our state. The new E15 anol research at our universities. Amount: ______fuel incentive will encourage petrole- This legislation may be considered by um marketers to begin carrying and the General Assembly in January. PAC contributions are not tax de- selling the fuel. With the incentive, E15 should be cheaper than E10 at The Consumer Fuel Choice for Illi- ductible and cannot be treated as a the pump. nois Act is critical to Illinois corn business expense. For ICGA’s PAC farmers and the growth of the etha- Policies and Guidelines, contact the Our proposed legislation will transfer nol industry. Please consider speak- the current E10 incentive of 20 per- ing in support of this legislation with ICGA office at 309-557-3257. cent sales tax savings for a new E15 your local elected officials.