Weinzierl: Several of our priorities fit in with the new administration

Posted on February 12, 2021
Rodney Weinzierl, executive director of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, says several of their priorities fit in with the goals of the Biden administration. (Facebook/IL Corn)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – With a new administration in the White House, what does that mean for Illinois agriculture?

Rodney Weinzierl, executive director of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, says several of their priorities fit in with the goals of the Biden administration. Weinzierl says they expect discussions this spring about a new infrastructure package, mainly because it would help the economy.

“It is a long term investment and it helps our nations competitive position and business be better long term,” Weinzierl told WJBC’s Marc Strauss. “The issue we’ve been working on is the upgrading of the river system. Upgrading the locks on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. By doing that we will use less energy.”

An upgrade to the river system would mean a lot more grain moved by the river compared to trains and trucks, according to Weinzierl.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…