Raw Milk Debate: Illinois Sticks to Safety Rules

Illinois keeps strict rules on raw milk because it can carry germs that pasteurization removes. Farmers who want to sell unheated milk must first get a permit, then the health department checks samples and visits farms. Only a few dozen Illinois dairies have this clearance.

Rising Demand Amid Tight Controls

• Matt Kilgus of Fairbury began selling raw milk at the start of COVID‑19.
• His farm now delivers over 800 gallons a week, up from just a few dozen initially.
• Kilgus reports steady growth over five years.

Legislative Effort to Loosen Restrictions

• Tracy cites a local farmer’s struggle under current rules.
• She acknowledges the health risks associated with raw milk.

Health Warnings

• The Department of Public Health warns that raw milk can spread illnesses such as Campylobacter—which recently sickened 11 people in Illinois.
• Symptoms: diarrhea, fever, similar to food poisoning.
• USDA data: raw milk has caused hundreds of hospitalizations and a few deaths nationwide over two decades.

Regulatory Stance

• The FDA states raw milk can be more dangerous than pasteurized milk.
• Claims of benefits for allergies or lactose intolerance lack scientific support.
• The USDA promotes a campaign encouraging consumption of pasteurized milk.

Farmer Perspective

“We take care of the cows and the milk to keep it safe,” says a dairy owner from Delavan. “If we didn’t, our reputation would suffer.”

The Ongoing Debate

• Some push for greater freedom to sell raw milk.
• Public health officials maintain that pasteurization is a proven safety measure.