SPRINGFIELD – Highlighting the importance of agriculture in the state, State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) visited with farmers in Tazewell County on Monday to discuss the issues they face.

“Perhaps no issue or industry unites Illinois more than agriculture and agribusiness," Cunningham said. "Whether it is grain traders in downtown Chicago or farmers in Tazewell County, or an agricultural sciences laboratory in Urbana, Illinois is an international center of agricultural production and its related businesses."

Cunningham was recently appointed to be the next chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. His appointment allows him to promote the importance of agriculture throughout the state. Cunningham looks to continue in his predecessor’s footsteps of advocating for farmers.

“The main aim of the Senate Agriculture Committee is to foster growth, not block it with excessive regulation on farmers and agribusiness. Senator (John) Sullivan has done that, and it will be my mission when holding the gavel,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham currently sits on the board of advisers for the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, a Chicago public high school in his senate district. He previously passed legislation to expand the school to accommodate 700 students, all of whom are enrolled in a comprehensive agricultural sciences curriculum.