Recent wins for agriculture in the Illinois state budget were highlighted at the state capitol Wednesday.
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton outlines a program that increases access to local food…
“We’re continuing with the Illinois Grocery Store Initiative.” She says, “We put $20 million into last year’s budget – FY24 and there’s more funding continuing in FY25. This is a way to support those local grocery stores and make sure that we don’t have food deserts.”
Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello tells Brownfield the state’s commitment to FFA bodes well for the future…
“We were able to get a line item in the budget last year, which pays for the dues of any kid taking ag classes in the state of Illinois to be an FFA member.” He says, “So that took us to almost 42,000 FFA members in the state of Illinois.”
Costello says the department’s proposed FY-25 budget is flat…
“Which in a tough budget year, I would expect we’ll take some, you know, hopefully minimal cuts to flat.” He says, “As I told you, over the last couple of years we’ve had some increases, so I think we’re in a pretty good spot.”
Illinois lawmakers are expected to complete the budget process in the current spring legislative session.
