Chesney Wraps Up Community Connections Tour with Successful Events in Elizabeth and Oregon
I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend one or more of the seven Community Connections events I held across the 45th District. The tour wrapped up last week with events in Elizabeth and Oregon, with events also held this summer in Genoa, Rockton, Machesney Park, Savanna and Freeport. My deepest appreciation also goes out to the mayors, county board chairs, and other local elected officials who co-hosted each meeting.
These casual gatherings with constituents are very important to me because they provide great opportunities to hear straight from the people I represent about issues that are important to them.
National Farm Safety & Health Week is Underway
National Farm Safety and Health Week, observed from September 15 to 21, highlights the importance of safety in the agricultural industry.
This year’s theme, “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident,” stresses the need for farmers and communities to take a proactive approach to safety education. Each day focuses on a different aspect, including equipment safety, health and wellness, and reporting farm-related injuries.
With harvest time approaching, this week serves as a reminder to stay cautious and mindful of the risks associated with farming. In 2022 alone, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 417 fatalities in agriculture, making it one of the most dangerous industries in the nation. Farmers continue to face hazards such as tractor accidents, roadway collisions, and confined space dangers.
Recognized since 1944, National Farm Safety and Health Week encourages farmers to adopt safer practices. By focusing on awareness and preparedness, the goal is to reduce accidents and protect those working in one of the nation’s essential industries.
For more information about the awareness week, visit the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety’s website.
Chesney Visits Heritage Woods of Freeport with a Special Birthday Delivery
I recently had the opportunity to visit Heritage Woods of Freeport. I delivered some remarks to residents, their families, and staff members, but the highlight of the day was wishing Hazel Fischer a happy 100th birthday. I presented Hazel with an official Senate certificate of recognition for her Centennial birthday and we all have a nice celebration. Happy birthday to you, Hazel!
IDNR to Accept Agricultural Lease Bids for 2025-2029
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will soon accept sealed bids for approximately 30 agricultural lease contracts covering the 2025-2029 crop years. These leases are designed to enhance wildlife populations and improve recreational areas while promoting sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and wildlife habitats.
IDNR sites with available leases will be listed on BidBuy, Illinois’ official procurement site. A non-mandatory vendor conference will be held for each lease, with details included in the public notices.
IDNR encourages bidders to register on BidBuy using the appropriate NIGP codes for farming activities. Once registered, they will receive notifications about upcoming agricultural lease bid openings.
For more information and a list of available lease opportunities, click here.
IDOA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
To support the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute nearly $525,000 over the next three years through the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The Freeport Student Garden is among the recipients of the grants.
This funding, made possible by the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, is available to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments.
The IDOA partnered with an external review committee to select the funding recipients. Priority was given to applications focused on educational outreach in socially disadvantaged communities, as well as research projects conducted through public schools and universities.
Awardees include:
- Elawa Farm Foundation
- Freeport Student Garden
- Fuller Park Community Development
- Gardeneers
- Illinois Specialty Growers Association
- Southern Illinois University
- University of Illinois
- University of Illinois Extension
Additional information about the program and the awardee’s proposed projects can be found here.
New Study Shows Illinois Losing Young, High-Earning Professionals
Young professionals are rapidly becoming one of Illinois’ top exports according to new data from SmartAsset, which ranks Illinois among the top states losing millennials to more tax-friendly states.
The report ranked states based on how many young households earning $200,000 or more left in 2022. Illinois came in second, with 1,323 households between the ages of 26 and 35 choosing to move to more tax-friendly states.
Illinois’ high tax burden has long been cited as a major factor in driving residents out of state and compounding Illinois’ outmigration problem. Just this spring, Governor Pritzker signed nearly $1 billion in new taxes into law, primarily to fund spending on the migrant crisis he invited to the state.
As long as the Governor and his allies continue pushing their misplaced priorities at the expense of working families, residents will continue to seek genuine relief elsewhere. They stress that state leaders need to recognize these trends and do more to protect families working daily just to make ends meet.
