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Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, Inc.
News
Beyond the Outlet: How Lateral Seepage Shapes Controlled Drainage Performance in a Sandy Soil
Controlled drainage (CD) is used in temperate humid regions to reduce water and nutrient losses. Although CD effectiveness has been widely evaluated, the role of lateral seepage in sandy soils remains underexplored and neglecting it may overestimate reductions in water and nutrient losses.
Narrower Tile Spacing: Smart Investment or Expensive Fix?
As spring rainfall events intensify and suitable fieldwork windows shorten, some producers are responding by installing tile systems with spacings as narrow as 15 to 20 feet. But is narrower always better?
Water Control Structures Part of New USDA Wetlands Funding
Water quality concerns in the Midwest persist for farmers and landowners, contractors and civilians alike.
But a new commitment of funding from the USDA looks to enable further steps in conservation in the region.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has pledged $5M to help landowners restore wetlands and floodplains that fall on their properties, that have been protected under conservation easements.
Roger Watwood Announces Retirement
After 18 years with JULIE as the Southern Illinois Damage Prevention Manager, Roger Watwood has announced that he will be retiring effective January 29, 2027. Prior to joining JULIE in 2008, Roger worked for the City of Marshall and previously served on JULIE’s Board of Directors. While Roger’s focus has been on southern Illinois, he has been instrumental in updating the IIllinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act and supporting damage prevention across the state.
Illinois Researcher to Test Fertilizers in Tile-Drained Conditions
A research team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will study fertilizer performance in Midwestern growing conditions, focusing on tile-drained corn systems. Faculty members Andrew Margenot and John Jones will lead projects on nitrogen and phosphorus management, supported by nearly $1.6 million from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research's Efficient Fertilizer Consortium.
How Plant Roots Hold Soil in Place & Help Prevent Streambank Erosion
Stable streambanks are an important aspect of watershed management in Illinois. Across the state, we are experiencing increased rainfall and intensifying storms as the effects of climate change continue to ramp up.
These changes create additional strain on Illinois streambanks, leading to increased erosion and changes in streamflow capacity, and, in extreme cases, the loss of land area.
Tax-Smart Building Improvements
If your business is planning improvements to a building before year end, careful planning may allow you to maximize your 2026 tax deduction. A special safe harbor can allow qualifying small businesses to deduct such expenditures currently — but only if expenses don’t exceed the applicable limit.
What Farms Learn by Measuring the Water That Leaves Them
Farmers who adopt cover crops, split nitrogen applications or install saturated buffers want to know whether the work is paying off in cleaner water. Regulators want the same answer, and so do the processors and co-ops that buy from those farms.
Get Ahead of Taxable Benefits
As year end approaches, businesses have plenty of tax and payroll tasks competing for attention. One easy-to-overlook area is employee and owner benefits. Identifying taxable benefits before the final payroll runs of 2026 can help prevent reporting errors, payroll tax problems and unexpected Form W-2 adjustments.
Red-Dye Diesel Approved for Road Use, but Farmers Face Tax Confusion
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 5 allowing for highway use of tax-free dyed diesel. This order defers the federal diesel tax, but it doesn’t eliminate the tax entirely without further legislative action.
Trump Order Allows Tax-Exempt Diesel Use on Highways
“US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to expand access to tax-exempt diesel that he unveiled from a rally stage in Nebraska.“
Financial Incentives Database (FIND) Tool
The Financial Incentives Database (FIND) tool was developed by ISAP to share financial payment opportunities that are available for adopting conservation practices such as cover crops, saturated buffers, and constructed wetlands. By listing program information side-by-side, the FIND tool allows farmers to compare programs and select the option that is best for their operation.
USDA Increases Investment in Regenerative Pilot Program to Lower Farmer Production Costs & Advance MAHA Agenda
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices.
Cap on H-2B Visas for First Half of 2027 Full – Coalition Seeks Increase
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the congressionally mandated H-2B visa cap for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2027 has been reached as of the September 4, 2026 deadline. This date covers applicants seeking to start work before April 1, 2027.
Farm Bill Vote Unlikely Before Midterms
While the Senate is expected to remain in session at least through the end of this week, a full vote on the farm bill is unlikely before the upcoming recess. Although the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 on September 16, 2026, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and other lawmakers like Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) stated that there is not enough time on the calendar to put the package on the floor before breaking for the November midterm elections.
Legislation Extending Drinking and Clean Water SRF Programs Moves Forward
On September 16, 2026, the House overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) by a bipartisan vote of 415–9. In the Senate, the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously approved its version of the bill on July 15, 2026 and is currently awaiting full floor consideration.
US DOT Finalizes DBE Program Rules
On September 25, 2026 the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) issued a rule finalizing revisions to its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The program has been operating for the past year under the terms of an “interim final rule” put in place October 2025.
"Hetskid" — the James Hetfield Inspired CASE Skid Steer, Auctioned for a Cause
"Hetskid" — the James Hetfield Inspired CASE Skid Steer, Auctioned for a Cause
100% of the final sale price — hammer price plus buyer's premium — goes directly to Metallica's Foundation, All Within My Hands, funding workforce and trades education, fighting food insecurity, and providing disaster relief in communities worldwide.
USDA to Invest $5 M to Help Partners & Producers Restore & Protect Wetlands & Floodplains on Agricultural Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an investment of $5 million in partnerships to help agricultural producers and private landowners restore and steward wetlands and floodplains through conservation easements. These projects, funded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), deliver Farmers First, direct-to-producer benefits while improving water quality, reducing flooding risks and providing habitat for wildlife.
EPA, US Army Seek Comments on Definition of Water Bodies for WOTUS
A recent joint proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army could mean the U.S. federal government is closer to a definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the country’s Clean Water Act.