The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) Class of 2014 participants recently met with state legislators, staff, lobbyists and others to explore the workings of State Government. The “State Government Seminar Sponsored by the Maschhoff’s, LLC” included presentations by 24 speakers at various locations in Springfield. The IALP is sponsored by the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF).
Over a two-year period the class is attending 14 seminars covering current social, political, business and economic issues in the agriculture industry. The “State Government Seminar” began with a presentation on how a bill becomes a law, in both technical and practical terms. Alan R. Kroner, Executive Director of the Illinois Legislative Research Unit, and Jim Dodge, Executive Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, instructed the class on ways to monitor legislation as it moves through the lawmaking process, and they emphasized the need for individual citizens to take an active part in the legislative process.
A presentation on revealing the “Inside Perspective of State Government” was presented by Senator Andy Manar (D-48, Bunker Hill) and Representative Wayne Rosenthal, (R-98, Litchfield),whose districts coincide geographically, but who represent different political parties. A session on “Influencing Others – Best Lobbying Practices” featured Representative Norine Hammond (R-94, Macomb), Neil Flynn of Neil Flynn & Associates, and Rob Carney, Manager of State Government Affairs – Midwest Region for Caterpillar, Inc. This panel discussion focused on the role lobbyists play in informing legislators of current issues affecting various industries, working to provide a balanced discussion of those issues.
Senator Chapin Rose (R-51, Champaign) discussed “How to Run a Successful Campaign.” Senator Rose has successfully run for office as both a representative and a senator. “The Role of a Watchdog” session was presented by Andy Shaw, President and CEO of the Better Government Association. He discussed some of the more than 200 investigations his organization has conducted to uncover corruption in state government, and the function of the media and watchdog groups such as the BGA in moving toward a transparent and honest government.
The first day of the seminar concluded with a tour of Springfield Plastics, a small business in Auburn, Illinois that manufactures drainage pipe for use in farm fields. Springfield Plastics, together with Brandt Consolidated, Inc., sponsored a dinner for the Class of 2014. Brandt spokesman Pat Schaddel, a 2010 graduate of the IALP, spoke about the products offered by his firm and expansion of services to agriculture. Dan Sprague, Senior Production Specialist, The Maschhoffs, LLC, gave a presentation on the work being done to make state and federal officials aware of the impact of laws that restrict agricultural production.
On the second day, the class had an Omelet Making Workshop sponsored by the Egg Industry and held at the John Block Building at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Three staff members who work on developing the state budget were featured presenters: Laurie Eby, Deputy Director, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA); Clayton Klenke, House Republican Director of Appropriations; and Jessica Basham, Director of House Democrat Research and Appropriations.
The Class of 2014 heard about “Business Issues Affecting Agriculture in Illinois” from three speakers: Carol Portman, President, Taxpayers Federation of Illinois; Kevin Semlow, Director of State Legislation, Illinois Farm Bureau; and Kim Maisch, Illinois State Director, National Federation of Independent Business. Jean Payne, President of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, spoke about “The Legislative Process through the Industry Perspective.”
The lunch speaker was Robert Flider, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture, who spoke about his leadership role, budget issues, and the work of the department. After lunch, “Illinois Ag Issues” were explored by a panel consisting of Senator David Koehler (D- 46, Peoria), Chair of the Senate’s Agriculture and Conservation Committee; Bill Bodine, Associate Director of State Legislation, Illinois Farm Bureau; and John Caupert, Executive Director, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. The seminar concluded with two political staff members talking about “Perspectives on the 2014 Election.” Eric Lane, Assistant Political Director, Democratic Party of Illinois, and Joe Woodward, Political Director, House Republican Organization, were featured.
“The State Government Seminar explores many of the processes that lead to critical decisions in Springfield,” said IALF President and CEO Don Norton. “We appreciate The Maschhoffs, LLC for endowing the seminar and making this important knowledge-building experience possible. The message was clear that citizens need to be more involved in the lawmaking process.”
The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation provides a two-year seminar series that develops knowledgeable and effective leaders to become policy and decision makers for the agricultural industry. It is a non-profit educational corporation under Illinois law. A board of directors, comprised of recognized leaders in agriculture and business, oversees the program. Candidates for the leadership program are selected during a competitive application process, currently underway for the next class. Men and women 25 to 49 years of age working full-time in production agriculture or agri-related occupations are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2014 for the class that begins this fall. More information is available at www.agleadership.org.
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