While visiting southern Illinois today, Governor Quinn witnessed the extreme drought conditions firsthand.
Farmers there are beginning to mow down their fields of dry corn.
He declared seven more counties will be designated disaster areas under federal law, in addition to the 26 already on the list.
The disaster declaration means that for eight weeks or more, 30 percent of the corn crop in those counties have been under severe heat conditions and now those farmers are eligible for federal help.
He says what Illinois farmers need most is for congress to pass the new five year farm bill.
" We cannot delay and run in place. This is the heart and soul of the Illinois economy. 40-percent of our economy depends on our agriculture, on our corn, soybeans and livestock", Said Governor Quinn
The farm bill came out of the house of representatives agriculture committee last week.
It is up to house leadership to call the bill for a vote before the full house.
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