Illinois Soybean Farmers Celebrate Increase to B20

Bloomington, Ill. - April 1, 2026 - A bipartisan bill passed in 2022 to promote the use of higher biodiesel blends is making a significant impact once again in 2026. Effective today, April 1, biodiesel blend incentive requirements will increase from B17 to B20, marking the final step in the implementation of Illinois' B20 incentive, simultaneously advancing the farm economy and clean air.

Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Chairman and Illinois soybean farmer, Bryan Severs, is proud to see the continuation of efforts that support our state's farmers. "Increasing biodiesel blend rates is a win for farmers, consumers, and the environment," said Severs. "Every step forward strengthens our energy security, drives demand for homegrown feedstocks, and supports rural economies."

The B20 bill raises the bar on biodiesel use by increasing the minimum biodiesel blend level eligible for tax exemption. Starting today, the eligible fuel mixture will jump from the current B17 to B20. This means every gallon of diesel that contains 20% biodiesel will be exempt from 6.25% sales taxes. There is an 11% percent blend rate during the winter months.

2025 was an extremely hard year for biodiesel use and production nationally. The industry saw a decrease in biodiesel use by 924 million gallons or 45% (according to U.S. Department of Energy data). However, in Illinois, we saw an increase of biodiesel use of 10 million gallons and 5%, due to the incentive (according to Illinois Department of Revenue data). This policy creates stable growth for the biodiesel industry in Illinois while there is extreme uncertainty nationally.

ISA extends its thanks to the key leaders behind the B20 Bill, including primary sponsors Rep. Eva Dina Delgado (D-Chicago), Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Kankakee), and Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). Governor JB Pritzker and Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello were instrumental in protecting, advancing, and signing the legislation into law.

"The final implementation of the B20 bill comes at a critical time for farmers in Illinois," said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. "I want to thank Governor Pritzker for his foresight to sign this important bill into law in 2022 as it expands market certainty for soybean farmers still suffering from the impacts of tariffs, while also providing national security through domestic production."

"The biodiesel sales tax exemption benefits all Illinoisans-supporting every corner of Illinois, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing harmful particulates that contribute to asthma and cancer," said Representative Eva Dina Delgado (D-Chicago). "It lowers prices at the pump and advances homegrown renewable energy."

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) thanked the Illinois Soybean Association for their partnership and said legislative efforts to promote the proliferation of biodiesel are paying off in many tangible ways:

Rep. Meier said, "Promoting additional biodiesel use in Illinois has been six years in the making, because it creates a market for Illinois soybeans, and creates jobs for the ag industry. Soy biodiesel blends also reduce air GHG emissions, lower particulate matter pollution, and lower meal prices for livestock farmers. This legislation helps everyone in the State by lowering the price of diesel fuel, lowering pollution, cutting costs in the supply chain, and creating revenue for the State of Illinois by helping fuel retailers."

"In order to ensure energy security in Illinois, we must use every available and sustainable energy source at our disposal," said State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). "When we passed this measure back in 2022, we enabled our soybean farmers to produce cleaner biofuel and provide more energy for future growth in our state. Hitting the B20 threshold marks the final step in a process that involved bringing together stakeholders from the fuel markets, rail industry, Illinois Soybean Association and more. I am excited to continue working alongside our great soybean producers to find new ways to innovate in Illinois."

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional diesel, significantly improving air quality and mitigating the impact of transportation-related greenhouse gases by 74%.

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The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Betsy Osman
Illinois Soybean Association
[email protected]