Macon Reporter

State Representative Regan Deering has introduced a resolution urging the relocation of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from Washington, D.C. to central Illinois. Deering, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, has filed HR 177, aiming for President Trump and Congress to initiate this move.

“Crops don’t grow in a swamp, they grow in the fertile plains of central Illinois,” said Deering. “It’s time we put the USDA in a place where people plant crops, not push paper."

Central Illinois is known for its strong agricultural presence, hosting major research institutions, agribusinesses, and key agriculture companies. Deering argues this move would benefit the region economically and enhance coordination with the agricultural community while providing a more cost-effective solution for taxpayers.

“The federal government is broke and broken and moving the USDA would save money and improve services,” Deering added. She highlighted local areas like Piatt and Macon counties leading in soybean production and McLean and Livingston counties in corn production.

The resolution aligns with the Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement (SWAMP) Act, a congressional initiative advocating for federal agencies to be located in regions they primarily serve. “The USDA’s job is to serve farmers and ensure we continue to be the greatest agriculture-producing country in the world, providing fresh, clean food to hundreds of millions of families. In Illinois, we don’t just talk about agriculture, we live it,” Deering concluded.

For more details on the resolution’s progress, interested parties can visit ilga.gov. Additional inquiries can be directed to Representative Deering’s office or website.