Legislation making sweet corn Illinois’ official vegetable clears the Senate

Posted on April 24, 2015
A bill to make sweet corn the official state vegetable has passed in the Senate. (WJBC file photo)
A bill to make sweet corn the official state vegetable has passed in the Senate. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that would make sweet corn the official state vegetable.

The legislation passed unanimously, despite some debate whether corn is actually a grain and not a vegetable. State Sen. Sam McCann (R-Carlinville), the bill’s sponsor, says the idea was proposed by a group of fourth graders in Chatham.

“We have to invest in the future leaders of our state and our nation, and these young people took an extraordinary interest in the process,” McCann said. “I think its fair that they have their day, in the form of this bill, to be a part of that process.”

The bill now moves to the House.

Normal is home to the Sweet Corn Blues Festival, held on Aug. 22 and 23 this year.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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