SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — While a handful of appointments to top state positions have drawn partisan criticism in Illinois so far in 2015, new Gov. Bruce Rauner’s choice to take over the state’s Department of Agriculture is eliciting praise from all sides of the political spectrum.
That’s because Rauner’s selection, northern Illinois farmer Philip Nelson, is a well-known face to growers and ranchers and is widely considered an excellent choice to lead the agency.
Nelson’s nomination was made official Friday by Rauner’s office, and the former president of the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) takes over the reins officially this week. His appointment is expected to easily win state Senate confirmation.
"I think a big advantage I have had is I’ve worked closely with this agency throughout my Farm Bureau career, and I think it gives me that knowledge base," Nelson said. "Right now I don’t feel overwhelmed, but I know we face some significant challenges, chief among them being the state’s fiscal condition."
He served as IFB president from 2003-13, and late last year was the recipient of the first "Farmer of the Year" award issued by U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). "As a fourth-generation grain and livestock farmer, Philip always took a personal approach to his work on behalf of Illinois farmers," Kirk said when he presented the award. "It was this approach that I appreciated most about Philip in his 10 years as president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Because of this, Philip has served as one of my most trusted advisers on agricultural issues."
Nelson noted during his tenure at IFB, one of the agency’s key goals was to connect consumers more with growers and ranchers who produced their food. Developing a stronger line of communication between the two groups is something he wants to continue focusing on as the state’s ag chief.
State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-District 38), who hails from Nelson’s hometown district in northern Illinois, was excited about Nelson’s selection. She noted Rauner kept his pledge of naming a working farmer to the position.
"As a fourth-generation farmer from Seneca, he is the perfect fit to grow Illinois’ exports, be an advocate for farmers and help feed not only Illinois residents, but people around world," she said. "Philip’s experience in the fields, on the combine, at the elevator and leading the Illinois Farm Bureau will pay great dividends to those involved in the agriculture industry in Illinois and our economy. I am looking forward to working with Philip."
When he spoke to the IFB during its annual meeting earlier this month in Chicago, Rauner pointed to growers, ranchers and the industry overall as having helped the state through some difficult economic times.
He criticized his predecessor’s selection of outgoing ag chief Bob Flider in 2010, calling the appointment a quid pro quo for Flider’s vote to increase income taxes at a time when he was a lame-duck legislator. Flider, a former central Illinois mayor, had no prior direct agriculture experience. "I want farmers running our agriculture department to benefit farmers," Rauner told the IFB crowd in Chicago. The comment drew widespread applause.
Nelson said another focus as he begins his new job will be on the state’s two fairgrounds, in Springfield and Du Quoin, and finding a way to upgrade both facilities to attract more events during the four weeks a year when the two state fairs are ongoing. Overall, he said Rauner wants to keep a spotlight on Illinois agriculture: "We want to make it a stronger department. "(Rauner) wants to focus a lot on agriculture, Illinois’ No. 1 industry, and make agriculture his No. 1 department."
