Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order (EO) 2025-07 declaring an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois tied to federal tariff policies and the resulting collapse in soybean exports to China. It should be mentioned that additional purchases of soybeans by China are reportedly part of a recent deal struck between the Chinese government and the Trump administration.
The EO directs state agencies to strengthen domestic agricultural markets and increases support for mental-health services for farmers through the Farm Family Resource Initiative. With rural economies facing financial distress and potential long-term loss of export markets, counties may experience increased service demands and economic disruption while also gaining opportunities for new state support programs aimed at stabilizing farm communities.
The EO is available via this link.