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:  Don’s Destruction: Trump Imposes New Tariffs, Disregards Struggles of Illinois Farmers

“America First” President leaves farmers in the dust, State of Illinois steps in to help

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Springfield, IL — Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump’s tariffs are illegal and unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, Trump imposed new global tariffs without congressional approval that will continue to raise costs for families and threaten the businesses of family farms here in Illinois. As farmers across the state speak out about how tariffs are squeezing their livelihoods—and how Trump’s one-time check did not address the lasting harm—Illinois Democrats are fighting to protect them. Attorney General Raoul joined a coalition of attorneys in filing a lawsuit to block the new tariffs and Governor JB Pritzker called on Trump to refund the $8.6 billion his tariff taxes took from Illinois families.

In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:

“Not only did the “America First” President leave American farmers to fend for themselves, he also imposed new tariffs despite the Supreme Court calling them illegal. He started a trade war that drove prices up for families, and Illinois farmers have made it clear his one-time check was nothing more than a Band-Aid. The ILGOP may stay silent but Illinois Democrats will keep fighting to protect our farmers and families and hold the Trump Administration accountable.”

To recap, Trump’s illegal tariffs have:

  • Lost Illinois soybean farmers $100 to $200 per acre in 2025.

  • Caused farm bankruptcies to spike 46% in 2025 alone—the highest rate since 2020—with more than 300 family farms declaring bankruptcy last year.

  • Caused more farm bankruptcies in the first three months of 2025 than all of 2024 in Illinois.

  • Increased costs, making the everyday Illinois family pay $1,781 more in 2025.

What Illinois farmers and industry experts are saying:

  • Rob Albers, sixth-generation farmer, Macon County: “The payment I’m going to get doesn’t even pay the interest on my operating line for a year. We’ll take it, but I’m not sure how helpful that dollar amount is going to be.”

  • Ron Kindred, Board Chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association: “I think it’s created a little more volatility, a lot of more uncertainty, and it’s definitely driven up the costs for fertilizer and seed and equipment.”

  • John Bartman, sixth-generation farmer, Marengo, IL: “I call him ‘Demand Destruction Donald.’ Farmers became collateral damage in this trade war.” “You say you care about the farmer, and you say you care about the American factory worker, but your policies are destroying both.”

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