TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order in Taylorville Wednesday to help Illinois farmers through the impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade policies.
Pritzker declared an agricultural export crisis, directing state agencies to take immediate action to enhance domestic markets for the state's agriculture industry and continue investment in mental health support for farm families.
According to the Pritzker administration, soybean prices have fallen below break-even levels, machinery and farm essentials cost more due to tariffs, and beef farmers are expecting to be impacted as the Trump Administration plans to import tariff-free beef from Argentina.
In response, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will coordinate efforts to promote, develop and expand domestic markets for agriculture commodities.
The IDOA will also continue to invest in the Farm Family Resource Initiative, providing mental health resources and no-cost counseling for farm families.
"Illinois farmers deserve a federal government that opens doors for them — not one that undermines their markets and livelihoods," said Pritzker. "While the Trump Administration turns its back on American agriculture, Illinois will stand with our farmers — opening markets where we can, advocating for change where we must, and fighting every day to ensure that Illinois agriculture emerges from this crisis stronger than ever."
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