– After near-record flooding across much of the state wrought havoc on Illinois farmers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday a range of measures to help them, and hopes an emergency declaration will soon pave the way for federal assistance. Pritzker recently met with USDA FSA Director William Graff to ensure the plight of Illinois farmers is high on the agenda when the FSA’s State Emergency Board next meets on June 27. At the meeting, the board can recommend that Pritzker declare an agricultural disaster, which would then allow him to request federal assistance for farmers. (WTTW)