State Rep. McAsey Encourages Constituents to Buy Locally This Holiday Season

“In addition to visiting local shops and restaurants, residents can support local businesses by buying products made and grown in Illinois,” McAsey said. “When we buy locally produced goods we help businesses create jobs and invest right here in our community.” 

House Bill 1272 aims to assist current efforts by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to promote local foods and products. It is estimated that if each household in Illinois spent $10 a month on Illinois products, an additional $2.4 billion would be generated in economic activity.

This includes nearly $400 million generated through the sale of specialty crops, including pumpkins. Illinois produces more ornamental and processing pumpkins than another other state in the nation. Illinois farmers harvested a record-breaking 16,200 acres of pumpkins last year, twice as many pumpkins as second-ranked California.

“As we begin making purchases for holiday gifts and meals, I want to encourage everyone to learn more about where those products come from,” McAsey said. “The little extra time you take will make a big impact on businesses and farmers throughout our state.”  

For more information, contact McAsey’s full-time constituent service office at 815-372-0085.