State Harvest Season Emergency Declaration Originates Locally

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has declared a harvest season emergency in the state, which allows farmers that secure permits to haul up to a maximum of 10 percent more than truck weight restrictions. Jeff Kirwan, who farms in Mercer County, says the call to action originated locally.

Kirwan serves on the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors and the organization asked the governor to issue the declaration two weeks ago to provide relief from continued wet weather in some parts of the state and depressed commodity prices.