 The referendum was scheduled at the request of the Illinois Corn
Marketing Board, which met following a Feb. 21 public hearing on the
proposal and decided to put the issue to a vote. Whenever such a
ballot proposition is approved, the Illinois Corn Marketing Act
stipulates that a referendum must be held within 90 days.
The referendum would increase the current three-eighths-cent
voluntary checkoff rate to five-eighths of a cent per bushel. Corn
farmers would continue to have a right to a full refund.
Illinois producers "actively engaged" in the production and
marketing of corn are eligible to cast a ballot. They can vote in
person at their local Extension office or, perhaps, at some county
Farm Service Agency offices during normal business hours on the
referendum date.
Eligible voters who reside outside the state or who cannot be
physically present at the polls March 28 may cast an absentee
ballot. Absentee ballots must be requested in writing from the
Illinois Department of Agriculture. Requests should be sent to:
Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Attn: Bureau of
Marketing and Promotion, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281,
Springfield, IL 62794-9281.
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The Illinois Corn Marketing Board, a volunteer board of corn
farmers elected by their peers, administers the checkoff fund.
The board invests in market development, research, education and
promotion programs designed to enhance the profitability of
Illinois corn farmers.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Agriculture file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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