Tracy calls for predictable rules, fair markets

SHIRLEY, Ill. — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy stressed the need for more certainty from Capitol Hill for farmers.

Tracy gave his case for being elected as the next senator from the Prairie State at the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable.

He and his Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, are seeking the post held by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Stratton was unable to attend the Illinois Farm Bureau-organized event due to a prior commitment.

Tracy, a Mt. Sterling native, has been an attorney for several decades and is a senior counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, based in Springfield.

He served as Illinois Republican Party chair from 2021 to 2024 and Illinois Gaming Board chair from 2015 to 2019. He previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2010.

“What farmers need in Washington is certainty, access to markets, reasonable rules and protection of their property rights. They need the government that understands that when you increase the costs of fuel, fertilizer, electricity, labor and transportation without a commensurate increase in crop prices and livestock prices, farmers sometimes get hurt real bad, like in the early 1980s,” Tracy said.

“I remember that time very well. I was a young lawyer, representing banks in cases of farmers’ financial stress, and I represented a lot of farmers in financial stress. I also served as a Chapter 12 trustee. Those were really hard times for farming. I hope we never see those days again.”

He noted inflation that’s driven up ag input costs the past few years and higher interest rates for operating loans, while commodity prices have not kept pace.

“Meanwhile, D.C. has spent years operating under farm bill extensions, written for a different ag economy without inflation adjustment,” he said.

“I will support a farm bill that has crop insurance, provides a meaningful farm safety net and helps farmers to be more certain making decisions about planting, equipment and financing the future of their operations.”

Increasing Demand

Tracy said he supports a push for more customers of ag commodities.

“We grow far more here than we consume. One of my priorities in the U.S. Senate would be expanding markets for the products that Illinois farmers produce, and that starts at home. I strongly support permanent nationwide year-round E15,” he said.

“Illinois grows corn and America needs energy. Consumers want affordable fuel. I don’t understand why Washington has managed to turn that into a complicated question. Year-round E15 access means another market for Illinois corn, for American-made energy and more choices for consumers.”

That increased demand should extend far beyond the nation’s borders, Tracy said.

“Domestic markets are not enough. We need the world buying more American agriculture products. The American farmer can compete with anybody in the world, given a level playing field and equal access to customers,” he said.

“I support tough enforcement to countries that cheat or unfairly block American products. The tariffs are a tool, but not the objective. The objective is better trade, more markets, more customers for Illinois farmers.

“Agriculture needs to be at the trade negotiation table because farmers are too often the first casualty when another country starts a trade war or retaliates.

“We shouldn’t measure success by how many tariffs we impose. We should measure success by how many barriers for agriculture world trade we remove.

“The same practical approach should guide the USMCA trade agreement. Canada and Mexico are two of our most important ag customers. If they’re violating agreements, hold them accountable. If something isn’t perfect, fix it.

“Let’s strengthen those relationships and expand opportunities rather than unnecessarily disrupting markets that our farmers have spent decades building.”

Proposition 12

Another issue that Washington can play an important role in is “protecting farmers from other states that want to dictate how they operate,” Tracy said.

“California has the right to regulate farms in California. They don’t have the right to regulate how you run your farm operations here in Illinois,” he said.

Tracy said he supports congressional action to protect states from action like California’s Proposition 12.

“Animal care should be guided by sound science, veterinary expertise and the people who actually raise the animals, not politicians hundreds or thousands of miles away,” he said.

Estate Tax

Tracy said he supports bringing Illinois’ inheritance tax exemption in line with the federal exemptions.

“The family that spent generations building a farm shouldn’t have to sell many assets of the farm just to pay a large death tax,” he said.

Data Centers

Data centers are sprouting up across Illinois, and Tracy believes the issue should be determined locally.

“Some communities see economic opportunities in terms of jobs, construction jobs and some property tax relief. On the other hand, billion-dollar tech companies should not get cheaper electricity at the expense of the farmer down the road,” he said.

“Data center decisions should be made locally and, at a minimum, take into account protecting energy reliability, groundwater quality and private property rights. The people who live in these communities ought to have this strongest voice where data centers are to be located in their communities.”

Tools To Compete

“American farmers don’t need or want the government to guarantee their success. They want predicable rules and fair markets. They want reliable and affordable energy, strong infrastructure, protection of private property and access to customers throughout the world,” Tracy said.

“Give Illinois farmers those things, and they’ll compete with anyone in the world.”

Stratton’s Statement

IFB President Philip Nelson served as moderator of the forum and read a statement from Stratton’s office in her absence.

“Lt. Gov. Stratton has been a strong advocated for Illinois farms and farmers, having served the entire state for the past seven years and chairing the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. She will continue to be a partner to ag industry in D.C.,” the statement read.

“While she was unable to attend this forum due to a prior commitment, she welcomes future opportunities to engage in critical conversations about the future of Illinois and agriculture.”