NORTHWEST SUBURBS – Representatives from the Mercer County Farm Bureau toured portions of the Northwest Suburbs recently as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s “Adopt-A-Legislator Program.” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) hosted the group.

“In a state as large and diverse as Illinois, it is important to facilitate conversations with those from different backgrounds and different parts of the state,” Murphy said. “The recent visit by the Mercer County Farm Bureau gave the organization an insight into the strengths and challenges facing our part of the state.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator Program was developed in 2001 and designed to build long-term relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from across the state. The goal is to educate urban legislators on agricultural issues as well as Farm Bureau members on the needs of urban and suburban regions.

“We were very excited to have the opportunity to get to know Senator Murphy and learn more about her district,” Kendra Bolen, Manager of the Mercer County Farm Bureau, said. “We can’t wait for her to visit Mercer County and learn more about rural Illinois.”

Senator Murphy led the group across the district, meeting with Dino Vlahakis, owner of Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Lisa Timbo, General Manager of the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, as well as stopping at the McDonald’s No. 1 Store Museum in Des Plaines and Woodfield Mall.