West Central Illinois Council Hosts Tariffs 101; Local Foundation Opens Scholarships

Local residents can get a plain-language primer on how tariffs shape markets while college-bound students can apply for dozens of regional scholarships. Dr. William Ridley will lead the lecture and scholarship applications for 2026 are open through the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

Dr. William Ridley, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Illinois-Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, will present a program on how the American tariff system functions, Tariffs 101, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Burrus Seed Company meeting room, 200 Capitol Way, Jacksonville, IL 62650. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Colorado Boulder, 2019. He has published over two dozen peer-reviewed studies on agricultural trade and policy. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on agricultural trade and policy. He has testified before committees of both Houses of the Illinois General Assembly about tariffs and trade policy.

Dr. Ridley’s program will provide a basic understanding of how the American tariff system works. The use of tariffs to achieve American trade policy goals continues to be a hot topic of discussion. Dr. Ridley will provide perspective on how to evaluate the imposition of tariffs to further national policy. The program is free to attend. For further questions, contact Larry Kuster at 217-370-8637. The program is being sponsored by the West Central Illinois Council on World Affairs.

Tariffs matter to Morgan County because local commodity producers and input purchasers feel policy shifts through export demand, price spreads and the cost of imported equipment and fertilizer. A practical lecture aimed at residents, producers and small business owners can help translate national headlines into dollar-and-cents impacts on planting decisions, basis levels and machinery budgets. Attendees should expect an explanation of how tariffs alter market incentives and which economic indicators to watch locally.

Meanwhile, students planning post-secondary study can pursue financial support closer to home. The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln is now accepting applications for the 2026 scholarship program. There are more than 45 different post-secondary scholarships available. Last year, more than $250,000 was awarded in scholarships and renewals. The Community Foundation serves the counties of Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan and Sangamon in central Illinois.

For Morgan County residents, the two items together speak to short- and long-term household finances: tariff policy can affect farm and business cash flow this season, while scholarship awards reduce education costs and local student debt over the long run. Residents interested in the Feb. 5 lecture should note the location in Jacksonville and the contact number above; prospective scholarship applicants should contact the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln for application details and deadlines.