Illinois Senate passes B20 legislation

The Illinois Soybean Growers’ B20 legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Patrick Joyce, D–Essex, has passed the Illinois Senate with bipartisan support from every region of the state. Now the measure moves to the Illinois House of Representatives where State Rep. Eva Dina Delgado, D–Chicago, will be the lead sponsor. “This hard-won victory is the result of ISG’s tireless advocacy, and the support of sponsor Sen. Patrick Joyce, who is working to present a viable and immediate solution to combat climate change from carbon emissions in the transportation sector,” said Steve Pitstick, chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association. “This legislative initiative will transition the sales-tax incentive from 10 percent biodiesel blends to 19 percent, which will not only significantly enhance the environmental benefits of biodiesel, but also lead to strengthened demand for this homegrown, renewable fuel by about 125 million gallons.” Illinois’ commitment to the biodiesel industry has created more than 7,500 clean-energy jobs in Illinois and has generated $1.6 billion in household income to families across Illinois. In addition to these tremendous boons to Illinois’ agricultural economy, biodiesel also offers immense health and environmental benefits. Biodiesel reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent, and once the bill is fully implemented it is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 200,000 tons. Additionally, biodiesel is a reliable, high-performance fuel that works in any diesel engine without modifications. Several transit-fleet leaders in Illinois have already adopted blends of 20 percent biodiesel, including the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the Cook-Illinois Corporation, and numerous municipality fleets in the Chicagoland area. “This is a proud day for the Illinois Soybean Growers, and the 43,000 soybean producers in our state,” Pitstick said. “Illinois farmers lead the nation in soybean production, and our agricultural community is the largest economic driver in the state. This critical legislation will further fuel Illinois’ economy, will improve our environment, and will keep the Illinois soybean market firing on all cylinders.”

The ISA checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government-relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability.