IFB’s Adopt-A-Legislator Program Works

'Adopted' lawmaker program aids understanding
Commentary by Kay Shipman

Our state needs more opportunities for people to understand different viewpoints and life experiences. That's why Illinois Farm Bureau's Adopt-A-Legislator program does so much good now and will continue to in the future.

Many county Farm Bureaus have developed strong relationships with current and former "adopted" state lawmakers. The program is intended to build long-term relationships between urban legislators and downstate farmers.

It "helps each understand a little better where the other side is coming from," explained Christina Nourie, IFB's northeast legislative coordinator and overseer of the program.

Case in point - the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and Chicago Democrat Sen. Kwame Raoul. Raoul will play a key leadership role on some major issues in the spring legislative session. 

Back in October 2008, I watched as Raoul, his family, and several constituents toured Jefferson County schools, farms, businesses, and sights. I still remember the Chicago group's look of wonderment as they walked through the halls of the tiny rural McClellan Grade School. Its entire student body could have ridden on one school bus.

A month later, Jefferson County farmers and leaders thoughtfully listened as two of Chicago's Dyett High School students showed how a student jury is used to resolve a mock fight among students on the city's south side.

It was much different than the way conflicts are resolved at McClellan Grade School.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), right, chats with Farm Bureau
members during a tour of his legislative district last summer.

Through the Adopt-A-Legislator program, the personal connections build relationships that continue as some adopted legislators move into leadership positions or other elected offices. Some relationships date back to the beginning of the program in 2001.

Former state Sen. Miguel del Valle, for example, stayed in contact with his adopted county Farm Bureau even after he began serving as Chicago's city clerk.

Here's a big pat on the back for the 73 county Farm Bureaus and the legislators who are involved with the Adopt-A-Legislator program. Stay engaged. Our state needs understanding of different perspectives more today than ever before.

Kay Shipman is the editor of legislative affairs for FarmWeek.