03.3.25

New Ag Insights Survey: Illinoisans Support Defending Farmers' Access to Crop Protection Tools

Findings reveal bipartisan opposition to litigation that threatens U.S. agriculture

March 3, 2025
Contact: contact@modernagalliance.org 

St. Louis, MO — A new Ag Insights Survey from the Modern Ag Alliance confirms that Illinois farmers and the broader public strongly support maintaining access to essential crop protection tools—a view on which majorities of Republicans and Democrats agree. These results come as legislation is being considered by lawmakers across the country to avert a crisis in U.S. agriculture due to relentless litigation targeting these products. Additional key findings include extremely low levels of trust in trial lawyers and strong opposition to litigation that threatens U.S. agriculture, food prices, and food security. 

"These findings send a clear message to Illinois lawmakers that their constituents stand with farmers and they expect their elected officials to do the same,” said MAA Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. “The crisis facing U.S. agriculture can be prevented by ensuring safe and essential crop protection tools remain available. If our leaders don’t act, the consequences will be felt at every dinner table in America."  

Key Findings

  • Illinoisans strongly oppose litigation that could limit farmers’ access to critical crop protection tools. 76% of farmers and 66% of all Illinoisans—including 70% of Republicans and 67% of Democrats—oppose these efforts. 
  • Illinoisans are deeply concerned that litigation against crop protection manufacturers will lower crop yields, leading to higher food prices for consumers during a time of record inflation. 86% of farmers and 76% of all Illinoisans—including 75% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats—share this concern. 
  • Illinoisans overwhelmingly trust farmers, not trial lawyers. 67% of Illinoisans trust local farmers, including 73% of Republicans and 68% of Democrats. Meanwhile, only 14% of Illinoisans trust trial lawyers, including 13% of Republicans and 17% of Democrats.
  • Illinoisans want leaders who stand with farmers over trial lawyers on agriculture policy. 90% of farmers and 82% of all Illinoisans—including 85% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats—are more likely to support leaders who stand with farmers over trial lawyers. 

Full state findings here.

Methodology 

This survey was written and administered by Penta Group Intelligence, an independent research firm. The results are based on a representative sample of 500 online and phone interviews of Illinois-based adults and 50 Illinoisan farmers. The study also surveyed a national representative sample of 1,005 US adults and 550 additional farmers from 11 states. The study was conducted January 29 through February 18, 2025. The margin of error for the Illinois adult population is +/-4.38.

About The Modern Ag Alliance 

The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of agricultural stakeholders advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.

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