Approximately 200 Illinois National Guard soldiers have been activated to assist with the state’s ongoing flood fight operations. The soldiers will assist in sandbagging operations and levee monitoring and reinforcement. Pritzker earlier this month issued a disaster proclamation for flooding in 34 Illinois counties. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has said it is the longest-lasting flood event since the Great Flood of 1927, with levee saturation levels in critical condition. State officials are issuing an urgent plea to residents in river communities to prepare for potential evacuations due to the threat of rising floodwaters. (Central Illinois Proud)  

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) approved hundreds of licenses and more than 10,000 acres for industrial hemp cultivation since online applications opened May 1, said the head of IDOA’s medicinal plant bureau. As of Tuesday, IDOA received 654 applications for grower licenses and approved 421. 89 processors from across the state have also been licensed. (FarmWeekNow)

Illinois voters will decide next year whether to do away with Illinois’ flat rate income tax in favor of a progressive income tax. On Tuesday’s 73-44 roll call, the Democrat-led House approved asking voters to weigh in on a state constitutional amendment allowing a graduated tax structure. Gov. Pritzker called it a “fair” tax because it would replace the current 4.95 percent flat rate, which critics contend eats up a greater share of income at lower wages. The constitutional amendment doesn’t mention rates or levels of income. (St. Louis Dispatch)

USDA’s Crop Progress Report released Tuesday showed only 35 percent of corn had been planted as of May 26. Nearly all corn was in the ground at this time last year, with 99 percent planted in 2018. Consistent rains and storm systems moving through the Midwest continue to keep planters in the sheds and farmers out of the fields. (USDA)

 Take a look at the Monday edition of FarmWeek to see stories on: USDA $16 billion relief package for farmers; Planting delays across the state due to rainstorms and severe weather; Phil and Karen Borgic celebrate the rebirth of their hog business a year after a devastating fire swept their hog barns.

 USDA’s recently released 2017 Census of Agriculture shows farms with internet access increased from 69.6 percent in 2012 to 75.4 percent in 2017. In Illinois, DuPage County leads the state in the percentage of farms with internet access at 92 percent. Growing reliance on digital/electronic transfer of data has made internet access a necessity for farmers and other rural residents. (FarmWeekNow)