Legislators representing DeKalb County ranked 90% or better.
Four state legislators serving DeKalb County residents earned top rankings with Illinois Farm Bureau.
-
- Rep. Jeff Keicher 91.3%
-
- Rep. Tom Demmer 91.3%
-
- Sen. Dave Syverson 100%
-
- Sen. Brian Stewart 90.9%
Illinois Farm Bureau recently released the voting records of state legislators for the 2019 spring session. The ratings are based on how legislators voted on certain bills in accordance with Farm Bureau’s position on those bills.
In the House of Representatives, newcomer Rep. Jeff Keicher, 70th House District, earned a 91.3% rank. Keicher, R-Sycamore, agreed with Farm Bureau in opposing the state minimum wage increase and also opposing a progressive income tax, among other bills.
Mark Tuttle, (left) DeKalb County Farm Bureau President, addresses Congressman Adam Kinzinger (right) at the Boone County Fair. He and other Farm Bureau leaders talked to the Congressman about ag-related issues.
Rep. Tom Demmer, 90th House District, also earned a 91.3% rank with Farm Bureau. Demmer, R-Dixon, sided with Farm Bureau in opposing the legalization of marijuana and was against reducing the validity of a FOID card from 10 to 5 years as well as other changes.
Sen. Dave Syverson, 35th State Senate District, received a 100% ranking with Illinois Farm Bureau. Syverson, R-Rockford, sided with Farm Bureau on a variety of senate bills.
Sen. Brian Stewart, 45th Senate District, earned a 90.9% rank. Stewart, R-Freeport, agreed with Farm Bureau pertaining to modifying “local farm or food products” based on food grown in Illinois and opposed the use of a skilled workforce and prevailing wage at any ethanol plant.
Illinois Farm Bureau compiles the voting records of legislators and these are used by the Activator Committee to determine “Friends of Agriculture.” To receive this honor a legislator must have at least a 60% voting record with Farm Bureau and be selected by the Activator Committee.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s staffer visited local farms and agribusinesses as part of a Farm Bureau led legislative tour. (From left) Lane Pickwell,with Helena Agri-Enterprises discusses technology used in agriculture with Leith Daghistani, legislative fellow for Congresswoman Underwood.