The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) Class of 2016 participants learned firsthand about the issues in Illinois state government at the Maschhoffs, LLC State Government Seminar, held January 21-22, 2016, in Springfield.
The seminar began with an overview of how legislation is originates and the importance of leaders being involved in the process of creating new laws. The session was led by Alan R. Kroner, Executive Director, Illinois Legislative Research Unit, and Jim Dodge, Executive Director, Legislative Reference Bureau. The importance of leaders forming relationships to accomplish policy goals was addressed by 96th district State Representative Norine Hammond, and Bill Bodine, Associate Director of State Legislation, for the Illinois Farm Bureau. The discussion of the legislative process was summarized by 104th District State Representative Chad Hays, the Assistant Republican Leader in the Illinois House, in his talk on “Identifying Genuine Leadership and Partisan Politics.”
The interdependence of the executive and legislative branches was discussed by Jake Butcher, former legal counsel to Senate President John Cullerton, and an attorney with the firm of Leinenweber Baroni & Daffada. A discussion on the impact of state programs on constituents was led by 70th District State Representative Bob Pritchard. Representative Pritchard, a former employee of the IALF before being called to service in the legislature, is a member of the House Budget Oversight Panel. He noted several issues that are hindering business growth in Illinois, including unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation and lack of tort liability reform.
The Class of 2016 traveled to Auburn, Illinois, to visit the Springfield Plastics plant where drainage tile is manufactured for a nine-state area of the Midwest. The class had a reception at the world headquarters of Brandt Consolidated in Springfield. Dan Sprague from The Maschhoffs, the largest domestically owned pork producer, was the featured speaker for the evening. He discussed legislative priorities for the firm.
The final day of the seminar included a discussion of “Business and Policy Issues Affecting Illinois Agriculture.” State Representative Don Moffitt (R-74th) discussed regulations and legislation impacting agriculture, and the difficulties encountered between the legislative and executive branches in the current year. A presentation on “Association Representation: Deciding How & When to Advocate” was led by Jean Payne, President of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, and Kim Maisch, Illinois State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business.
State Senator Jason Barickman, from the 105th District in Pontiac, discussed the process of running for office or seeking appointment in Illinois. The seminar concluded with a presentation by Greg Webb, Vice President for State Government Relations with Archer Daniels Midland. Webb spoke about “The Need for Effective and Genuine Leaders to Represent the People.”
“We’re grateful to The Maschhoffs, LLC, for sponsoring this important seminar on state government,” said Don Norton, President & CEO of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation. “In these very worrisome times in our state’s history, courageous leadership will be necessary to solve problems and create a better future for the entire state, including agriculture.”
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 February 29, 2016, for the class that begins this fall. More information is available at www.agleadership.org.
Members of the IALP Class of 2016 present their class picture to Raymond Poe, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The picture will rest along with all other class photos on the “Wall of Leadership” in the John Block Department of Agriculture Building on the state fairgrounds.
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