CCFB News» Bona Heinsohn, CAE CCFB Director of Gov. Affairs and Public Relations

Over 18 years ago, I joined the staff of the Cook County Farm Bureau as the first Director of Public Policy. The position was the result of a board strategic planning session. My direction upon being hired was “to make Cook County Farm Bureau a major player in Cook County government.” A small task, right?

As Cook County Farm Bureau leaders approved their County Legislative Priorities for 2026, the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors also approved state legislative priorities. These priorities establish targeted issues that Farm Bureau will dedicate staff time and resources to in the coming years.

Unlike most major U.S. cities, Chicago does not have a formal charter; instead the authority of its leadership rests in the Illinois Compiled Statutes and its own municipal code. The 1870 Illinois Constitution placed municipalities under the Cities and Villages Act and thereby pausing municipal charters.

Since taking office in 2023, the Mayor of Chicago has introduced three budget proposals. First was the 2024 budget, also known as a grace period budget, proposed by a brand-new mayor, freshly elected, having never served in city government.

In September, Cook County Farm Bureau leaders traveled to the nation’s capital. Not to sight-see. Not for a vacation. Not for a couple of days away with friends. But to broaden leaders’ understanding of agricultural issues and how the federal government intersects with those issues.

For over five years, Cook County Farm Bureau has been engaged in projects and conversations related to environmental stewardship. Most notably, these projects have been related to pollinator habitat enhancement and nutrient loss reduction.

As the county’s largest general farm organization, Cook County Farm Bureau® is dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and urban consumers. Through education programs targeting youth and their parents and programs designed to connect farmers with potential consumers, Farm Bureau members are actively engaging in conversations about food and the shared values between farmers and consumers.

The 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article 4, Section 9 establishes the Governor’s veto powers, which are among the most extensive in the nation.

Nearly five years ago, a ball of mane and tail bounced his way into our lives. Our veterinarian referred to him as “old-fashioned”. He is on the shorter side. Stocky. Thick. And fluffy.

As I entered my final semester of undergrad, a professor of mine made a few calls and landed me an internship. After class several times a week, I assisted with constituent services for Illinois State Senator John Maitland. I vividly remember working on arrangements for an eighth-grade field trip to Springfield.

Farm Bureau Continues Legislative Efforts on Behalf of Members

As the state legislative session remains in full swing, Farm Bureau continues working on behalf of farmers and landowners throughout Cook County and Illinois. Farm Bureau’s efforts focus on preserving agriculture and the economic well-being of farmers throughout Illinois.

National Agriculture Day celebrates the contributions of farmers and the farm products they grow and raise. In celebration of farmers, Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview introduced Resolution 25-1792, which recognizes and celebrates National Agriculture Day.

How many times have you thought, “I just wish an elected official’s name term would end.” Believe it or not, 19 states including Illinois have recall provisions. Recall is a process by which voters can remove and replace an elected official before their term ends.

Located within the confines of Cook County, Chicago boasts a population of just over 2.6 million residents. Cook County on the other hand is home to slightly more than 5 million residents. Both Chicago and Cook County are in the midst of a population decline.

Located within the confines of Cook County, Chicago boasts a population of just over 2.6 million residents. Cook County on the other hand is home to slightly more than 5 million residents. Both Chicago and Cook County are in the midst of a population decline.

Since the fall of 2009, Cook County Farm Bureau has maintained a Political Action Committee (PAC) tasked with interviewing, evaluating, endorsing, and determining contributions for Cook County candidates supportive of agriculture.

In 2021, Cook County Farm Bureau® proposed and Farm Bureau delegates approved the Farm Bureau’s  first urban agriculture policy, which was subsequently incorporated into the American Farm Bureau Federation® policy book and is now nationwide policy. This policy provides that urban agriculture generally refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban settings.

I’d love to tell you that we’ve wrapped up another year of fairs, but I’m not entirely sure that’s the truth. Instead, let’s say we ended a chapter.

I’ve worked in some aspect of government or government relations since college. First as a legislative intern. Followed by a legislative staff intern. Legislative staff. Political staff. Communications staff. And so on.

For nearly a year, Cook County Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Committee members have been researching and drafting three resolutions for submittal to the Resolutions Committee.

For the past two years, Midwest Horse Fair has marked the beginning of our rodeo season. Just over three years ago, this wild ball of energy decorated with a thick mane and kinky tail entered our lives one Thursday evening. Our veterinarian called him “old fashion.” I prefer to call him “thick.”

For the past two years, Midwest Horse Fair has marked the beginning of our rodeo season. Just over three years ago, this wild ball of energy decorated with a thick mane and kinky tail entered our lives one Thursday evening. Our veterinarian called him “old fashion.” I prefer to call him “thick.”

Research conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that a surprising number of Americans deny that humans are a major contributor to climate change. Those same individuals do not see climate change as an important issue for the country.

The Cook County Farm Bureau Political Action Committee officially came to be in 2009 with the first election in 2010. Since the 2010 election, the PAC has endorsed over 60 candidates. Some Democrats. Some Republicans. Some independents. Not all were incumbents.

Last year I tried to set some goals. I wrote them down. I tracked one or two of them. And to my surprise I reached my goal of reading 24 books.
In a moment of frivolity, I shared my achievement with my younger cousins. They were less than impressed. And their year-end reading totals schooled my barely finished before the New Year’s ball drop total of 24.
Now just a handful of days into 2024, I think it may be time to increase my reading goal. My non-overwhelming total includes professional, self-development, prospective book club reads, and personal reading. Here are some of the titles I have on my to be read list just waiting for their time to shine.

I scoff at making resolutions and have shared that sentiment numerous times. Perhaps it’s even a well-known fact about me. In January of 2023, this column stated I didn’t make resolutions this New Year. I didn’t follow through with them in 2022. And in January of 2022 it was even more blunt. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I scoff at the idea of making champagne laden promises of exercise. Budgeting. Dieting. Or personal improvement. Instead, I opt for sarcasm.

Politicians are gearing up for the 2024 elections. Illinois candidates will again pass and file nominating petitions. Offices on the March ballot include but are not limited to U.S. House of Representatives, State Senators, State Representatives, Metropolitan Water District Commissioners, Clerk of the Circuit Court, State’s Attorney, District One County Commissioner, and District Three Board of Review.

Our rodeo drill season has come to a close. As we hang up our chaps for the winter, it’s important to take inventory. After over a year off for an injury, our big red grumpy dragon again graced an arena. With my blue-eyed girl in tow, he ran a sweep. Pinwheeled. Barrel turned. And rolled back into a flying v. If you had asked us a year ago if we thought he would make it back for the 2023 season, we would’ve told you no. This is a win.

Mississippi River Basin states, including Illinois, have received guidance from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop state-led plans to reduce nutrient loads discharged into rivers and ultimately the Mississippi River. Based on federal guidance, Illinois released their statewide Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS), which was developed by numerous partners including state agencies, extension services, and a multi-stakeholder group, which included Illinois Farm Bureau®.

Fair season has come to an end for our house. The animals are back home. The show box is supposed to be cleaned and tucked away. And the truck has been cleaned out.

For most families summer brings excitement. Pool time. Baseball games. And vacations. For our family summer brings cultivating. Flaming. Zapping. Walking calves. And rodeos.

The debt limit is a legislative limit on the amount of debt that the U.S. Treasury can incur to cover the expenses previously spent by Congress. Article I Section 8 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to borrow and spend money.

Less than a year ago during a conference in Bloomington, County Farm Bureaus were asked to engage with their county boards to build a greater awareness of Farm Bureau and to lobby said county boards to approve a resolution recognizing and celebrating agriculture in the county.