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Agriculture and Rural Development

Issue Page: AgricultureAs one of the top agriculture states in the nation, Illinois and its farmers have an important role to play in many elements of American life from the economy to the environment. To help maintain the agricultural strength of our state and our nation, I have supported tax fairness for farmers, improvements in crop insurance, expanded use of clean-burning and environmentally safe ethanol, and increased trade opportunities for agricultural commodities. I have advanced initiatives to strengthen this crucial sector of our economy because boosting the vitality of our nation's rural regions boosts the vitality of our nation as a whole.

Progress

Ethanol:

  • Helped lead the successful fights over more than 20 years that helped build a viable renewable fuels industry in America to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, by securing an extension of the federal tax incentives for ethanol use, expanding ethanol's role in clean air programs, and establishing a nationwide standard for minimum ethanol use.
  • Funded the design and construction of the National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville to help reduce the cost of ethanol through research to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of ethanol production.

Priorities

Related Links

Related Videos

Durbin: IL Delegation Will Work to Ensure Federal Resources Are Available for Flood Control Efforts
April 18, 2013

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the floor of the Senate today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that he will work with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to ensure that federal resources are made available as quickly as possible for flood control efforts in Illinois.

House Refuses to Consider Farm Bill Before Deadline
September 21, 2012

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today came to the floor of the United State Senate today to express disappointment that the House of Representatives has not considered or passed a full five-year Farm Bill. Although the current Farm Bill expires on September 30, Speaker of the House John Boehner announced yesterday that the House of Representatives would recess until November without voting on their own Farm Bill and without calling the Senate bill to a vote.



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Gina McCarthy
Gina McCarthy
May 14, 2013

Illinois Food Retailers Association
Illinois Food Retailers Association
April 17, 2013

CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets Martin Cabrera
Cabrera Capital Markets CEO Martin Cabrera
March 21, 2013


Related News and Updates

Date Title
5/15/13 Durbin Announces Senate Approval of His Legislation to Improve Mississippi River Management and Extreme Weather Response
3/29/13 Durbin, Schneider Announce Nearly One Million in Funding for Waukegan Harbor Dredging
3/28/13 Durbin Announces $1.6 Million in Disaster Relief Funds for Harrisburg
3/19/13 Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Mississippi River Navigation and Other Agricultural Priorities
3/14/13 Durbin, Enyart, Davis Introduce Bill to Protect Jobs by Improving Mississippi River Management and Responsiveness to Extreme Weather
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