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Lawmaker's Bill Honoring John Block Passes
A local lawmaker has successfully advanced legislation in Springfield that names a building at the State Fairgrounds in honor of a Knox County native.

State Representative Don Moffitt says his bi-partisan bill naming the Department of Agriculture Administration Building on the State Fairgrounds after John Block -- the Gilson resident who's served as director of both the U.S. and Illinois Departments of Agriculture, and whose commentaries are still heard weekly during the WGIL Mid-Day.

Moffitt says in addtion to honoring Block, the legislation sends an important message.

"To further promote and recognize that agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Illinois," Moffitt said. "Illinois has provided national leadership in agriculture. The intent is to further raise the stature and the status of agriculture in the state."

Block and his family still own and operate the family farm in Gilson. He was Secretary of Agriculture during the Reagan Administration, and is believed to be the only Illinois Ag Director who went on to the national post.

House Bill 5540 now moves on to the Illinois Senate after being approved Thursday.


(John Block. Photo courtesy www.johnblockreports.com)
03 10 12 by Newsroom
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