What We're Working On

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides state efforts to improve water quality by reducing nutrient levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The strategy lays out best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from point sources (e.g. wastewater treatment plants) and non-point sources (e.g. agricultural lands), with long-term goals of reducing loads of total phosphorus and nitrogen by 45%, with interim reduction goals of 15% nitrate-nitrogen and 25% total phosphorus by 2025.

Livestock processing plays an important role in Cook County's economy.

A recording of the recent Rules of the Road seminar presented by Rodney Knittel, Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of Transportation and Infrastructure is now available.

In September, Cook County Farm Bureau® sent the following letter to the Department of Revenue and Cook County Commissioners regarding the Wheel Tax:

Numerous Cook County Farm Bureau® members have voiced concerns regarding the Cook County Wheel Tax.

Cook County Farm Bureau® sent the following letter to the Chicago Committee on Licenses and Consumer Protection in support of the Chicago horse carriage industry:

Carriage horses are an iconic part of Chicago.

Farming is a job for all seasons. Farmers travel with their equipment on local highways and roads year-round, and especially as during planting and harvesting time.

As we enter the Fall harvest season, Cook County Farm Bureau wants to make sure that everyone is aware of farm equipment traveling on local highways and roads.

Earlier this fall, Governor Bruce Rauner declared an emergency harvest period until December 31. This permit is only applicable for the transportation of all agricultural commodities from “Illinois’ fields to market and also to and between storage or processing facilities.”

Farm Bureau actively engaged with Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri, Chairman of the Committee on Building and Zoning and the Building and Zoning Department to minimize the impact of zoning changes on Cook County agriculture.

Farm vehicle regulations are numerous and often difficult to find and understand. Detailed below are just a few of the regulations governing the transportation of farm products and the movement of farm vehicles on the roadway.

Gov. Bruce Rauner declared a state harvest season emergency earlier this month, giving road jurisdictions authority to issue Harvest Season Emergency Permits.