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, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, 7 p.m. at the Burrus Seed Company meeting room, 200 Capitol Way, Jacksonville, IL.

Dr. Ridley’s program will provide a basic understanding of how the American tariff system works. Dr. Ridley will provide perspective on how to evaluate the imposition of tariffs to further national policy. Dr. Ridley is an expert on the American tariff system. 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 earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Colorado Boulder, 2019. He has testified before committees of both Houses of the
Illinois General Assembly about tariffs and trade policy.

There is no charge for attending Dr. Ridley’s program. For further information contact: Larry Kuster, 217-370-8637