Illinois is officially the home of the soybean.
Well ahead of Iowa’s 595 million and Minnesota’s 371 million, Illinois harvested more than 639 million bushels in 2025.
And as of this year, the soybean is the official state bean.
Capitol News Illinois reporter Naomi Taxay reports that only 40% of the harvest is kept in the state. But now, Illinois lawmakers are pushing biodiesel in hopes it will keep more.
Listen to the podcast above to get more from Taxay and KMOX's Jade Aubrey about why lawmakers think the push will be effective.
That's because Illinois is increasing incentives for higher biodiesel blends.
That's because Illinois is increasing incentives for higher biodiesel blends.
