SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois agriculture community is mourning the loss of two of its leaders. Chuck Hartke, 80, who directed the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) from 2003 to 2008 and Dave Loos, 75, Director of Biofuels and Research for the Illinois Corn Growers Association, both died on April 13 at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

Current IDOA Director Jerry Costello II was still trying to process the news when he spoke to Farm World. “Chuck was a very good friend of mine. Though we never worked in the legislature together, I knew Chuck when he was the director (Costello previously served as a state representative and ag committee chair) and he was a terrific guy who left an incredible impact on agriculture in this state. His emphasis on youth in agriculture was extremely strong.”

Reacting to the passing of Loos, Costello said, “He was the ‘Mr. Ethanol’ of Illinois. Just an incredible guy, and very, very impactful on Illinois agriculture as well. We extend our condolences and gratitude to both the Hartke and Loos families.” 

Chuck Hartke

Hartke’s obituary, published by Bauer Funeral Home, reflects the former state ag director’s lifelong commitment to service, community and country.

He was born on May 7, 1944, to Alphonse and Sophia Hartke, graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1962 and married Kathryn L. Hoene on August 10, 1963, at St. Mary’s of Help Catholic Church in Green Creek, Ill. From 1966 to 1968, Hartke served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Stationed in Quang Tri, Vietnam, he served as a field medic, holding the rank of E5 Sergeant and overseeing triage operations.

Prior to his career in public service, Hartke was a dedicated full-time farmer, working the land in Effingham County from the time he returned from Vietnam until his appointment to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1985 (he would serve 9 terms through 2003). Regarded as a skilled grain farmer, Hartke grew corn and soybeans and also managed livestock, raising both swine and sheep. 

His obit states that Hartke took immense pride in his work and was known for his forward-thinking approach to agriculture. “He was one of the first farmers in Effingham County to implement a slatted-floor hog operation, reflecting his commitment to innovation and animal welfare. His dedication to the land and his livestock wasn’t just a livelihood—it was a way of life rooted in hard work, resilience, and stewardship,” it states. 

In 1997, Hartke was named Assistant Majority Leader, a position he held throughout the remainder of his time in the House. After retiring from public office as ag director in 2008, he remained active in state affairs by joining the Illinois lobbying firm Morrill & Fiedler, LLC, where he continued to lend his voice and expertise to issues close to his heart.

With agriculture in his blood, Hartke poured his time and talent into building a greenhouse during his retirement, where he cultivated a wide variety of plants and vegetables. He then offered them to the community in exchange for donations to CSS (Community Support Systems) in Teutopolis.

Memorial donations in Hartke’s name may be made to Crisis Nursery of Effingham County.

Dave Loos

Loos began working as the Technology and Business Development Director for Illinois Corn in September 2007 and became their Director of Biofuels and Research in April 2019 He collected and analyzed technical, economic, regulatory, political and social information relevant to corn and ethanol market development projects for both ICGA and Illinois Corn Marketing boards. He also managed the ICMB research program and served as the ethanol technology expert to both ICGA and ICMB.

“Dave’s passing leaves a gaping hole in his own family and in the Illinois Corn family. Dave spent 18 years at Illinois Corn, but worked with us for years before that, helping to build an ethanol industry when he worked for the state of Illinois. He was very committed to Illinois farmers and dedicated to building markets for them. We will miss him tremendously, especially his optimism and constant friendship,” said Rodney Weinzierl, Illinois Corn Executive Director.

Loos was born on March 30, 1950 in Dubuque, Iowa, to Ervin Loos and E. Alberta Schrader Loos. A Loami resident, Loos wed Lori Rhoda on February 7, 1987. 

Loos received a Master Of Business Administration Degree from the University of Illinois. His obit stated that Loos loved his family, friends, his work and co-workers, and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing and good conversation. His family asked that memorial contributions be made to Ducks Unlimited or to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Farm World last spoke to Loos in February, when he was interviewed about the ongoing push by corn growers for Congress to greenlight year-round E15 ethanol. The expansion of ethanol markets and the creation of new markets for corn growers was his top priority during the discussion. 

“Our ultimate goal is to move to higher blends of ethanol — E20, E30 — through an octane standard that would give the autos better efficiency around higher-performance engines, along with lower emissions,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of room and capacity for ethanol right now to very easily accommodate new growth in E15. And we have capacity in corn; we need new demand for corn.”