ROCK ISLAND COUNTY EXTENSION’S STATE BUDGET CUT HAS DEVESTATING LOCAL IMPACT
(EAST MOLINE, IL) With the elimination of the County Board Match from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, approximately $240,000 in funding for Rock Island County Extension will be lost. This will have a devastating effect on local programs and services provided by Rock Island County Extension. There is a large umbrella of programs that provide services to over 20,000 people in Rock Island County each year, including 4-H and Youth Development, Horticulture and Master Gardeners, Natural Resources and Master Naturalists, Family Nutrition Program (FNP), Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP), and Commercial and Family Agriculture.
With the loss of half of its funding, Rock Island County Extension programs will face severe cuts and seriously impair opportunities for children, families, senior citizens and the local environment.
In terms of investments, Extension is uniquely positioned to more than double the state’s contribution through the county match and federal funds. Extension’s program model emphasizes community partnerships and works to maximize the resources of its partner agencies by providing education, training, and volunteers to assist on numerous programs. Each year more than 500 volunteers organized by Extension assist the community in Youth development through 4-H and in the care of our environment and natural resources through the Master Gardener and Master Naturalists programs.
Rock Island County Extension Council Chairman Kent Ackerman is asking Extension supporters to contact their elected officials about this urgent matter: Senator Mike Jacobs; Representative Mike Boland; Representative Pat Verschoore; Governor Rob Blagojevich; Speaker of the House Representative Michael Madigan; and President of the Senate, Senator Emil Jones. Let them understand your concerns and ask them to reinstate the County Board Match for University of Illinois Extension so that vital community programs can continue.
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
100 W. Randolph St.,
Ste. 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601-3220
Phone: (312) 814-2121
Fax: (312) 814-6183
Senator Emil Jones Jr.
President of the Senate
Senator 14th District
327 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2728
Representative Michael J. Madigan
Speaker of the House
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5350
(217) 524-1794 FAX
Representative Mike Boland
4416 River Drive
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 736-3360
(309) 736-3478 FAX
Representative Patrick J Verschoore
Cnty Off Bldg-1504 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 793-4716
(309) 793-4764 FAX
Senator Mike Jacobs
606 19th Street
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 797-0001
(309) 797-0003 FAX
What can you do to support the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation?
Become a member of the Foundation as a family or individual for just $25 per year. Your membership dollars support the Foundations efforts to sustain Extension projects despite cuts in state or federal funding.
By joining you'll be the first to hear of new developments and opportunities to advance 4-H and Rock Island County Extension.
4-H plays an important part in building a solid foundation for the youth of Rock Island County. Their future success is built on a positive and enriching childhood. The 4-H "Learn by Doing" philosophy helps today's children grow into tomorrow's leaders!
Thanks for your support!
