Locks and dams matter.
Improving the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio River system has been an Illinois Corn Growers Association priority for almost 30 years. Waterways infrastructure gives Illinois farmers and other Illinois industries a competitive advantage over other states in transportation of grain and other agricultural products. However, in the last 50 years, these locks and dams have become dilapidated and outdated. The crumbling lock and dam system costs Illinois corn farmers every day in lost efficiency getting their product to global marketplaces.
Improving our lock and dam system NOW is critical not only for Illinois farmers but also for all Illinois citizens, for our country, and for our world.
Illinois Senators Champion Cost-Share Change Enabling Lock Modernization
Yesterday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. The bill includes a cost-share shift offered by Senators Tammy...
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Inland Waterways, Critical to Illinois and the Nation, Get Their Due
If you drive over LaSalle’s Abraham Lincoln Memorial Bridge that spans the Illinois Waterway, you may look down to see barges being pushed by towboats, but probably don’t know exactly what is...
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IL Corn Celebrates the Passage of FY 22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill with Funding for Locks and Dams
Late in the evening on March 9, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill. The funding for the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works – the line item from which lock and...
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LOCK 25 ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER RECEIVES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FUNDS
Funding to complete design and construction for Lock 25 near Winfield, MO on the Mississippi River is included in the Army Corps of Engineers budget presented to Congress today to allocate the...
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RSVP for next week listening sessions
The Illinois Corn Growers Association will hold in-person listening sessions throughout the state to help prepare for the 2023 Farm Bill. As a grassroots organization, we value farmer input...
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ICGA Statement on the November 5 Passage of Infrastructure Bill
Illinois Corn Growers Association President Randy DeSutter, a farmer from Woodhull, made the following statement while reflecting on Friday’s passage of an infrastructure bill: “After several...
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Waterways Campaign Highlights Environmental & Economic Impacts
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board is proud to partner with the Waterways Council Inc, Illinois Soybean Association, and others to help audiences understand the importance of inland waterways and...
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Bipartisan Senate Infrastructure Bill Includes Funding for Upgraded Locks and Dams
Today’s Senate passage of a bipartisan infrastructure package included $2.5 billion of full federal funding to upgrade and modernize the inland waterways system, with specific projects to be...
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Lock and Dam Upgrades Receive $22.5 Million
Lock and Dam Upgrades Receive $22.5 Million The locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers are one step closer to the renovation and rebuilding that they desperately need after the...
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Waterways Included in the American Jobs Plan
Waterways Included in The American Jobs Plan President Biden announced The American Jobs Plan to rebuild the economy and invest in rural communities. One of the aspects of this plan that ICGA...
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ICGA Urges the Importance of NESP
ICGA Urges the Start of NESP New construction on locks and dams on the inland waterways system is critical to agriculture and other industries throughout the state, Midwest and...
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ICGA Statement on Water Resources Development Act 2020 Passage
ICGA Statement on Water Resources Development Act 2020 Passage Following the House and Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, Illinois Corn Growers Association President...
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WRDA 2020 Alive in Lame Duck Session
WRDA 2020 Alive in Lame Duck Session The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2020 remains in play as debate continues in Congress during the lame duck session. The latest is WRDA 2020 may...
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In Support of a New Lock and Dam Start in 2021
In Support of a New Lock and Dam Start in 2021 This week, the Illinois Corn Growers Association has reached out to each member of the Illinois Congressional delegation, asking for their...
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Audio Update: Importance of the Lock and Dam System with Marty Marr
Audio Update: Importance of the Lock and Dam System with Marty Marr Illinois grain and livestock farmer Marty Marr explains the importance of the lock and dam system, the need for an efficient...
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LaGrange Lock on the Illinois River Reopens; Other Newly Maintained Locks Follow
LaGrange Lock on the Illinois River Reopens; Other Newly Maintained Locks Follow The LaGrange Lock and Dam at Versailles, IL on the Illinois River reopened last week after a major maintenance...
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House Passed WRDA Bill That Includes Advocated For Cost-Share Shift for Lock and Dam Construction
House Passed WRDA Bill That Includes Advocated For Cost-Share Shift for Lock and Dam Construction The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) today,...
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New Lock and Dam Start Expected in FY21
New Lock and Dam Start Expected in FY21 This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved a FY21 budget for Energy and Water Development that would include funding for one new project for...
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Major Policy Change Makes Lock and Dam Upgrades More Likely
Today, the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA). The bill included within it the Committee’s version of the Water Resources...
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$4.5 Million Awarded for NESP
The Navigation and Ecosystem Restoration Program (NESP) received $4.5 million dollars in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2020 work plan. This funding would allow the expansion and modernization...
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