Document Type
Article
Media Type
text
Publication Title
Northern Illinois University Law Review
Abstract
Since 1971, John Deere has been using the popular slogan “Nothing Runs Like a Deere,” symbolizing the strength and self-reliance long associated with American farming. Yet as modern agricultural equipment has become more computerized and complex, manufacturers such as John Deere have restricted farmers’ ability to independently repair the equipment they own, through the use of unattainable software, licensing agreements, digital locks, and warranty limitations. The modern right-to-repair movement challenges this shift. At its core, the movement asserts that ownership should include the ability to repair the product that a consumer owns. This article argues that Illinois should enact a comprehensive right-to-repair statute to restore a farmer’s ability to repair the agricultural equipment they own without depending on the manufacturer. This article proposes a tailored statutory framework that would require manufacturers of agricultural equipment to provide their consumers with access to the parts, diagnostic tools, software, manuals, and security releases required to conduct necessary repairs, while preserving protections of trade secrets, emissions compliance, and safety systems.
First Page
391
Last Page
413
Publication Date
6-1-2026
Department
College of Law
Recommended Citation
Aird, John
(2026)
"Nothing Runs Like a Deere, Except When Deere Doesn’t Run: Why Illinois Should Enact Right-to-Repair Legislation for Its Farmers,"
Northern Illinois University Law Review: Vol. 46:
Iss.
3, Article 5.
Suggested Citation
John Aird, Note, Nothing Runs Like a Deere, Except When Deere Doesn’t Run: Why Illinois Should Enact Right-to-Repair Legislation for Its Farmers, 46 N. Ill. Univ. L. Rev. 391 (2026).
