By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — As the dust settled from a Democratic sweep of the state’s top offices in the Nov. 6 midterm election, the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) was among the first in state agriculture to congratulate J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire businessman known more for his ties to the Hyatt Hotel chain and venture capitalism than to the agricultural community.

“On behalf of members of the Illinois Farm Bureau, I would like to congratulate J.B. Pritzker on his election as the 43rd governor of Illinois,” said Rich Guebert Jr., IFB president, in a statement issued the night of the election. “We look forward to building a strong relationship with Governor-elect Pritzker and his team, so we can work together to ensure the growth of Illinois agriculture, a cornerstone of our state’s economy.”

Guebert extended the IFB’s assistance and knowledge of the state’s top industry – agriculture – as Pritzker selects his transition team and advisors.

“In the coming weeks, we know that Governor-elect Pritzker and his team will be putting the numerous pieces in place that will make up his administration. The IFB stands ready to be a source of expertise and information for the new gubernatorial administration when it comes to issues impacting farmers and agriculture.”

The IFB participated in the Illinois Agriculture Legislative Roundtable in Chicago in August, an event that was attended by Pritzker and incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Also attending was IFB State Legislative Director Kevin Semlow, who said Pritzker promised to work closely with state agricultural organizations and farmers if elected.

“Illinois Farm Bureau and other ag organizations have been meeting with Governor-elect Pritzker and his staff since the election process started, and he has been very open and willing to learn about the agricultural industry in the state of Illinois,” he added.

“He made many comments about the importance of agriculture to the economy and the state, and clearly indicated he understood the importance of some of the things agriculture relies on, such as the sales tax incentives on ag inputs and equipment and the farmland assessment law.

“Some of the areas we can work together on will be in the area of livestock management. (Pritzker) has more of an urban background and maybe has not had much experience with the livestock industry, especially how the Livestock Management Facility Act works in the state of Illinois,” Semlow said.

“We’ll be working with him, his staff and his future director of agriculture to make sure that they understand the importance of that program continuing as it is now, and to help see the state livestock industry grow and expand. As we all know, with grain prices where they are now, we will need all the new markets we can get.”

Agriculture has a seat at the table with the administration of Rauner, who was defeated in his bid for a second term by a vote of 2,356,991 to 1,716,331 (54 and 39.3 percent of the collective vote). Soon after winning the gubernatorial race in 2014, he named Jim Kaitschuck, then executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc., as his director of legislative affairs.

The IFB is hopeful Pritzker will reach out to Illinois agriculture in a similar manner.

“We are hopeful and have been having dialogue with his transition team encouraging them to look at an actual farmer or someone with strong agricultural ties for state director of agriculture. We are working to help keep viable staff in key departments that understand agriculture not only with the Department of Agriculture, but with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency,” said Semlow.

In addition to Pritzker’s big win, Democrats captured many of the top state offices, including those of attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and comptroller. Democrat Kwame Raoul defeated Republican Erika Herold for attorney general by a 54.1 to 43.3 percent margin, or around 450,000 votes.

Jesse White, a Democrat, retained his position as secretary of state by defeating Republican challenger Jason Helland with 67.9 percent of the vote. Democrat Michael Frerichs remained Illinois’ treasurer by defeating Republican challenger Jim Dodge by 17.7 percent, and Susan Mendoza won the comptroller race by a decisive 21.9 percent margin over Republican candidate Darlene Senger.

The latter was in spite of a video surfacing shortly before the election showing Mendoza saying she would soon declare her candidacy for mayor of Chicago and abandon her comptroller duties if elected.