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Agriculture

The Second Congressional District is one of the most diverse regions in our nation. It is a microcosm of our country – home to not only urban and suburban communities, but rural areas as well. And it is our strong rural sector, with nearly 1,200 farms, that serves as the economic backbone of our district. Farmers in the Second Congressional District generate millions of dollars worth of corn, soybeans and wheat every year that feed our families, fuel our cars and help raise our livestock.

Ensuring we have a strong agricultural sector is vital to the overall strength of our economy. I stand for strong federal policies that support family farmers, ensuring they are able to make necessary investments to increase their productivity and meet the nutrition and energy needs of our growing population.

My agricultural priorities are:

  • Advancing sound environmental regulations that protect our nation's air and water without unduly burdening farms;
  • Ensuring USDA crop insurance and price support strategies work for farmers and protect their investments;
  • Investing in ethanol, wind energy and renewable fuels as we continue our transition to more sustainable energy sources;
  • Promoting comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform to help address labor challenges in the agricultural sector;
  • Addressing supply chain issues affecting farmers’ ability to receive products and services critical to their operation;
  • Encouraging research and implementation of innovative technologies to promote sustainable agriculture;
  • Developing an international trade agenda that expands foreign markets for Illinois commodities while protecting labor, health and safety regulations; and
  • Creating federal policies that promote investments in precision agriculture technologies, while protecting our national security and privacy.