Illinois wheat checkoff referendum passes

[April 25, 2025]  SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois wheat producers approved a measure to bring a wheat check-off program to the State of Illinois. By a vote of 207 to 69, producers passed a referendum to implement a voluntary wheat check-off program with a 1.5 cent per bushel assessment rate. 

The referendum result was announced today after the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) completed its review of the ballots and certified the statewide vote total. In the coming weeks, the Illinois Wheat Checkoff Committee, in conjunction with the IDOA, will be implementing procedures for the fall 2025 election of members to the Illinois Wheat Development Board. The program will go into effect January 1, 2026.

The Illinois Wheat Development Act was passed into law to foster the development of new markets for wheat and wheat products, to provide research, enhance production and enable the wheat industry to adapt to changing markets.

"Agriculture is our state's #1 industry, and we are proud to be the #11 producer of wheat in the nation, producing 60.2 million bushels in 2024," said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. "The wheat check-off will foster continued growth, positioning Illinois as a global leader in wheat production."

[Illinois Dept. of Agriculture]