Illinois US Senate Candidates Discuss Their Views on Ag Issues

BY TIMOTHY EGGERT FarmWeek

Biofuels, trade, environmental and livestock regulations and the 2023 farm bill were among the top issues discussed by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, and Republican nominee Kathy Salvi of Mundelein during an Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum held Wednesday.

Speaking to an audience assembled at Schuler Farms in northwest McLean County, Duckworth said lessons learned and votes cast during her first term would largely guide her approach to future ag-related legislation while Salvi, who hasn't before held political office, said she would look mostly to members of the ag industry for direction on proposed bills if elected.

An immediate test of either strategy will come with the drafting of the 2023 farm bill. Duckworth said her priorities for the legislation include "protecting and improving" farm safety net programs, federal crop insurance, disaster assistance and export market developments.

Salvi, meanwhile, said she couldn't "be the voice" for Illinois farmers in drafting the farm bill "without listening to you and (your) concerns." She added she would vie for a position on the Senate Ag Committee and be "a little more proactive" on ag policy that "will help serve Illinois agriculture."

Asked about livestock vaccination and disease prevention programs covered by the farm bill, Duckworth said she would support continued funding for those efforts to allow "livestock producers to manage their herds in the best way possible, in the healthiest way possible, so that we don't see an economic devastation."

Salvi did not take a clear position on the question, instead pointing to an audience member and saying "you're going to guide me and advise me on that."

On their approach to environmental regulations, Salvi and Duckworth mostly aligned, with both candidates explaining they'd push for policies that don't unnecessarily burden farmers.

"To expand the definition of a field that can be EPA-regulated to that particular farm parcel -- it puts a vise over that farmer's ability to run their business," Salvi said of the Biden administration's proposed expanded definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS).

Duckworth said she'll work with ag groups on WOTUS, advocate for a "pragmatic approach" and bring a "moderate voice" to negotiations over a definition.

"I sort of see myself in there and saying: 'Whoa, let's be real here, you're talking about something as if it's a river or a creek but it's actually just like a dry area most of the year and occasionally when it rains there's water there,'" Duckworth said. "So let's not treat that like it is like everything else."

The Senate candidates also found common ground on trade reform, with both saying they'd push to eliminate import tariffs on fertilizers. Duckworth went a step further, explaining the U.S. needs to be more aggressive on trade, especially with China, and in emerging Asian markets like Taiwan.

On energy policies and the role of biofuels, Duckworth and Salvi both agreed the marketplace should influence where investments go, but they split over how to get there.

The newcomer said she supports a "comprehensive, all-of-the-above" energy policy that expands coal, natural gas and nuclear energy while also growing private investments in biofuels and other renewable technologies.

The incumbent, who described herself as "agnostic" to a carbon-neutral future, said government funds and other incentives should be used to expand renewable energy sources like solar and wind alongside traditional forms of energy.

Duckworth also said she'd push for a permanent waiver for year-round sale of E15, support a long-term extension of the blenders credit on biodiesel and advocate for new markets for biofuels, like the aviation industry.

Without giving specifics, Salvi said there have been too many "quick fixes" around biofuel policies. She later clarified that position with reporters, telling them "biofuels are essential to the Illinois agribusiness community and I am a strong supporter of biofuels."

Asked about private property rights around renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and carbon sequestration pipelines, Salvi said "we need to act responsibly to protect some of our best farmland."

Duckworth echoed that position, saying "we absolutely have to respect landowner rights."

Asked by FarmWeek how CO2 pipelines fit into that model, Duckworth said she supports the technology, but "we have to work our way through that, and maybe there's something I can do at the federal level to help bring incentives and federal resources to the mix."