Governor Bruce Rauner Sunday declared a harvest season emergency in the state, which allows farmers that secure permits to haul up to a maximum of 10% more than truck weight restrictions. Brent Riewerts, who farms in Rock Island County, explains why farmers sought the action.

Illinois Farm Bureau asked the governor to issue the declaration two weeks ago to provide relief from continued wet weather in some parts of the state and depressed commodity prices. Riewerts who serves as Vice President of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau, says the action could help some Illinois farmers.

Farmers need to check with local road authorities whether they plan to issue harvest season emergency permits and whether those will be a blanket permit or individual permits.

Illinois Director of Ag Raymond Poe knows every extra kernel on a truck helps speed up harvest.

IDOT says they are ready to get those permits out to farmers. The Harvest Emergency is good for 45 days.