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Farmers need to stay competitive

The state of Illinois is struggling financially.  As the new administration prepares to take over, Governor-elect Bruce Rauner told Illinois Farm Bureau members on Monday the system needs overhauled.  However, in the current economic environment the agriculture industry is provided certain tax incentives and protections.  Rauner says those breaks keep Illinois’ farmers competitive.  “It’s critical that Illinois be competitive,” he says.  “We need keep our farmers competitive.  Our policies should reflect what other states do with their farmers.  We should never put our farmers at a competitive disadvantage to farmers in other states.  That’s absolutely critical.”

As the Governor-elect looks to make appointments to his administration… he says he’d like to have a farmer as the head of the Department of Agriculture.  “I want farmers running the agriculture department,” he says.  “I want our government working for our business owners.  Farmers are business men and women.  I want the government to be an ally and an advocate so they can grow their businesses.”