SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture has released the names of the candidates slated for three commodity board elections, which are scheduled for July 6.  Producers are encouraged to vote to determine members of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Voting is eligible to anyone who produces and markets commodities of these respective boards.  Ballots may be cast at county Cooperative Extension Offices during regular operating hours. It is important to note that the following Cooperative Extension Offices will be closed on Thursday, July 6^th: Edwards, Gallatin, Perry, and Jersey (closing at noon).  To request an absentee ballot, please email David Humphreys (David.Humphreys@Illinois.gov).  The Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture must receive the absentee ballots by 5:00 pm on July 3^rd.

“It is important to have strong leadership within the agriculture industry,” said Agriculture Director Raymond Poe.  “Commodity boards make important decisions about how state checkoff dollars are expended, which has a direct impact on the promotion and future of these industries”.

Checkoff dollars come from assessments levied at the first point of sale. State law sets assessment for corn at 5/8 of 1 cent per bushel and soybeans at 1/2 of 1 cent of the market value, and wool at 3 1/2 cents per pound.

Following is a list of commodity districts holding elections this year, the counties they include, and candidates’ names and hometowns.

ILLINOIS CORN MARKETING BOARD