By State Senator Christine Johnson -
There is no doubt that Illinois is facing one of the worst droughts we’ve seen in recent years—in fact, 2012 is Illinois’ sixth-driest-year on record. Every segment of the state has been impacted.
Fortunately, state assistance is available for farmers through agriculture loans including the Agri-Debt Restructuring Guarantee Program, Working Capital Guarantee Program, Agricultural Participation Loan Program, and Rural Development Loan Program. Visit the Drought Response Task Force website to learn more and view applications for each program. Federal loan programs have also been made available through the USDA .
Last week, I penned a letter to Governor Quinn thanking him for pledging state support through loans and debt restructuring to farmers and ranchers. However, the main purpose of my letter was ask that this support be extended to industries that are drought sensitive such as landscaping and lawn mowing businesses. Many individuals in our district that work in these areas were also impacted negatively by the lack of snow last year as well.
While we can’t control the weather, and we certainly never know what to expect in Illinois, we can reach out a hand of support to those whose livelihoods have been impacted by current weather extremes.
How can you help? Contact the Governor and join me in urging him to extend financial assistance resources to additional drought-impacted businesses.
H/T IL Senate GOP Twitter
