* Press release…

On May 7th, the Illinois Pork Producers Association will be at the Illinois State Capitol to celebrate the commemoration of Senate Joint Resolution 24 designating May 7th at Illinois Bacon Day. The resolution is sponsored by Senators Chris Balkema, Doris Turner, Sally Turner, Craig Wilcox and Li Arellano Jr. in the Senate, and Reps Kelly Cassidy and Katie Stuart in the House.

Illinois pig farmers, IPPA staff, and FFA state officers will be handing out BLT sandwiches to legislators at the Illinois State Capitol and discussing the role that pork production plays in Illinois.

Illinois pig farmers produce over 6 billion slices of bacon annually. Additionally, Illinois pork production is ranked 4th in the U.S. and supports over 30,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $13.8 billion dollars to the economy.

To help support our farmers, we are challenging consumers to #BringHomeTheBacon. Keep the demand for pork products high by adding bacon (or any pork product!) to your grocery cart every time you shop. In doing so, you are supporting Illinois farms, 96% of which are family owned. Additionally, many local restaurants will be participating in Illinois Bacon Day by featuring a pork special on their menu May 7th.

IPPA president, Josh Maschhoff of Nashville; Illinois pork producers: Cheryl Walsh and Kristi Smith of Princeville, Tyler Main of Altona, Amanda Spinner of Hillsboro, Emmalee Haege of Nashville, and Phil Borgic of Raymond Illinois, will attend the event on May 7th.

* WICS…

Numerous local restaurants will join the celebration by featuring pork specials on their menus on May 7. Participating establishments include ABE’s Hideout, Clay Popeye’s BBQ, Cured Catering, and many more across Springfield, Rochester, Urbana, Yorkville, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Decatur, Jacksonville, and Galesburg.

* Rep. Cassidy celebrated on the House floor by wearing a bacon hat…

Hilarious.