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Collinsville Daily News

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Illinois and Midwestern Farmers Are Overcharged on Crop Insurance, Say Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski, Sorensen, Call for USDA to Recalculate and Provide Refunds

As farmers face sky-high costs, the lawmakers say USDA Risk Management Agency must rebalance premium costs and refund Illinois and Midwestern farmers SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), both members of the House Agriculture Committee, today sent a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency, calling for a review of the Federal Crop Insurance Program to rebalance payments for farmers that are routinely overcharged for federal crop insurance premiums. While the Federal Crop Insurance Act requirescrop insurance premiums to roughly equal the indemnity payouts over the long term, Illinois corn and soybean farmers have been systemically overcharged for crop insurance premiums as they rank among the lowest in the nation for crop insurance payouts. “Farmers face record costs for farm inputs, including diesel, fertilizer, seed, and equipment. As policymakers explore options for relief, we ask USDA to begin a targeted review as soon as possible of the counties and crops that have consistently been overcharged in the Federal Crop Insurance Program, and

Illinois · 3d

The National Law Review

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Looking Ahead to 2027: New Illinois Employment Laws and Employer Obligations

Each approaching new year presents an opportunity for employers to review their employment policies to ensure compliance with newly enacted laws, and 2027 will be no different for Illinois employers. Although the Illinois Legislature did not devote as much attention to employment-related legislation as it did in prior years, several key legislative changes are worth noting, including a few that will prompt necessary updates to employment policies and procedures. Unless otherwise stated, the recently enacted laws take effect January 1, 2027. What You Need to Know Menopause-Related Conditions Expressly Protected: A new law amends the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to require reasonable accommodations for employees experiencing menopause-related conditions. Disparate Impact Liability Codified: Another amendment to the IHRA will counter current federal policy regarding the availability of civil rights claims arising from facially neutral policies. Numerous Small but Significant Adjustments: Other new and existing statutes may require changes to recruitment practices, employment agreements containing restrictive covenants, and leave policies. Anti-Discrimination Protections for Menopause-Related Conditions The Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act (IMECA) amends the IHRA to increase educational efforts, broaden access to insurance coverage, and expand workplace protections for menopause-related conditions. For employers, the most significant provisions amend the IHRA’s

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