Rock Island Today

Representative Dan Swanson has introduced a new bill aimed at supporting beginning farmers in Illinois. The proposed legislation seeks to provide state tax incentives for landowners who rent their farms to new farmers. "The vast majority of Illinois farms are family owned, but we need to make sure we are passing them on to the next generation of farmers," Swanson stated. He is collaborating with the Department of Revenue, the Farm Bureau, and the Department of Agriculture to develop this initiative.

In other news, a report from the state's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability highlights that Illinois residents face higher taxes compared to most Americans. Last year, legislators approved nearly $1 billion in new taxes, despite opposition from some lawmakers like Swanson who voted against it. The report ranks Illinois 13th in per capita revenue among all states and notes that residents pay $744 more than the national average in various taxes.

Illinois soybean farmers achieved a record harvest in 2024, collecting 688 million bushels. This surpasses the previous record set in 2018 by 21 million bushels. Soybeans occupy approximately 40% of Illinois farmland and are primarily processed for human consumption or used in products like soy-based biodiesel fuel.

In local events, Representative Swanson participated in several community gatherings over the weekend. These included the Quad Cities Chamber 2025 Legislative Event and the Knox County Pork Producers annual banquet where Pete Holmes was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Swanson also attended the Knox County Farm Bureau Annual meeting where he discussed legislative issues with local stakeholders alongside Leader Hammond.