* More about the Farm Bureau’s candidate forum from Mike Miletich…

Senate candidates also had their chance to speak with farmers about their plans to improve the quality of life and business for farm families. Republican Kathy Salvi told farmers that she wants to be the go-to person in the Senate for agribusiness. Salvi claimed that Democratic policies like the Inflation Reduction Act will devastate farms and small businesses in Illinois. She also argued the country needs to stop having a top-down government model that intrudes on families and farmers.

“We just want to be free to be able to run our homes, and our businesses, and our farms ourselves,” Salvi said. “We don’t need Big Brother telling us how to do it, to overregulate our small businesses and our farms.”

However, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) explained she personally fought to include $500 million in the Inflation Reduction Act for biofuel production. Duckworth feels the country should continue to lead by using cleaner fuel that comes from corn and soybeans grown in the Midwest. […]

Duckworth said she is optimistic about the 2023 farm bill, partially because of work done for the Inflation Reduction Act.

“We put a lot of environmental stuff in there, so the environmental groups are really pretty happy with us right now,” Duckworth said. “I think that takes the pressure off trying to make the farm bill an environmental bill when it shouldn’t be. It should be an ag bill.”

* Center Square…

Agricultural groups are closely watching a U.S. Supreme Court case involving Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS.

The case centers on homeowners who were ordered to stop building on a piece of property they owned in Idaho because the wetlands on the property were determined to fall under waters of the U.S. and were protected by the Clean Water Act.

Duckworth urged protecting the environment from farm chemical runoff, but she said there must be trust in farmers.

“Half of them use well water for their own homes, if they poison the ground, they are poisoning their own water. They’re not going to do that,” Duckworth said.

Salvi said water does not need to fall under federal regulation.

“To expand the definition of a field that can be EPA regulated to that particular farm parcel, it puts a vice over that farmer’s ability to run their business,” Salvi said.

* Speaking of Duckworth, from the BND…

As Granite City residents prepare for a pending plan to end steel production in the city, which will cost the area nearly 1,000 jobs, officials are making contingency plans. One such plan is to work toward bringing new businesses to Granite City, and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a press conference Monday she has spoken with global appliance company LG Corp. about establishing itself in the region. “I recently was in Taiwan and South Korea where I had conversations with Samsung and LG and S.K. and one of those organizations, LG, has been really interested in coming to Illinois, especially this part of Illinois, because of our proximity to the Mississippi and the availability of sending goods and services down the Mississippi, where they like the fact that Illinois can be carbon neutral in terms of the energy that we have,” Duckworth said.

* Politico…

Former Vice President Mike Pence was in Chicago on Wednesday to headline a fundraiser for Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin.

It was exclusive: The event was hosted by DRW trading firm’s Don Wilson and drew a small group of high-level GOP donors, according to a person in the room. […]

Durkin has headed House Republicans for nearly a decade and is expected to run again for the post in January.

Still, there’s already been some angling to find a challenger to head the party. The thinking is that it’s time to think for a successor.

Sharks in the water. There’s talk that someone could challenge Durkin. One name that’s popped up is Republican state Rep. Tim Ozinga. Asked by Playbook if he’s running, Ozinga hedged: “Right now, all of my energy is focused on getting Republicans in the state legislature out of the super minority.”

* Press release…

Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of nine additional pro-equality candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives running for election in 2022.

U.S. House Candidates Endorsed by HRC Today:

Jevin Hodge (AZ-1)

Delia Ramirez (IL-3)

Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)

Eric Sorensen (IL-17) […]

Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison released the following statement:

“The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse pro-equality candidates who will promote and defend LGBTQ+ equality in the U.S. House of Representatives. At a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces relentless attacks from extremist elected officials across the country, we know that this diverse group of candidates will be champions for equality and freedom.”

“These leaders have continuously expressed their commitment to standing up for equality. Once elected, we are confident that they will stand up for their constituents, and all Americans.”

…Adding… Press release from yesterday…

Today, on Ukrainian Independence Day, numerous individual leaders within the Ukrainian American diaspora in Illinois announced their strong support for Congressman Krishnamoorthi, thanking him for his work to bolster Ukraine’s defenses in the U.S. Congress and for his strong presence in the Ukrainian American community throughout the City of Chicago and Illinois.

“Today marks the 31st anniversary of Ukrainian Independence from Soviet Union oppression,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (U.S. House Intelligence Committee, Congressional Ukrainian Caucus). “But this year, we celebrate with a heavy heart as our friends and allies in Ukraine continue to battle against Russia’s vicious, imperialistic invasion. I remain committed to standing with Ukraine, supporting the Ukrainian American diaspora in Illinois, and am honored to be declared the preferred candidate in this race based on my track record of advocacy to bolster Ukraine’s defenses during this immense time of need.”

“Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has been a strong supporter of US assistance to Ukraine in the brutal, unprovoked war with Russia,” said Marta Farion, Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), Illinois Division, member of national board of UCCA, and President of the Kyiv Mohyla University Foundation of America. “Ukrainian Americans appreciate all that he has been doing in Congress to ensure Ukraine has the means to defend herself from the aggressor.”

“Congressman Krishnamoorthi must be given recognition for his outspoken position regarding the unprecedented and continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine,” said Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D., UCCA treasurer, Professor Emerita, Northeastern Illinois University; and Commissioner, Illinois Holocaust & Genocide Commission. “He has openly characterized the targeted killing of Ukrainian civilians, elected leaders and the mass assassination of political dissidents as criminal and in violation of international law. He is firm in his conviction that, those engaged in these genocidal acts must be accountable for their atrocities. His continued efforts on different levels of support of President Zelensky and his democratically-elected government and the people of Ukraine is much appreciated.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi several times at various functions held by the Ukrainian Community,” said Peggy Chryssikos, Community Advocate. “I was touched by his care and concern for the Ukrainian people. I highly endorse Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on his bid for re-election to Congress in the 8th District.”