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TechnographExtension Partners lobby for withheld funds
By Sarah Small
Posted: 4/22/08 Section: News
Members of the organization Extension Partners met in Springfield with state legislators Wednesday to lobby for UI Extension, whose employees learned earlier this month that it will not be receiving the state funds they had expected.
The lack of funding will cause the program to cut about 450 jobs statewide, according to a press release.
The Illinois House of Representatives and Senate Committees of Agriculture and Conservation as well as the Senate Committee of Appropriations II requested members of Extension Partners to attend the joint session. Also in attendance were members of about 10 other groups that obtain funds from the state's Department of Agriculture budget and are also facing budget cuts.
Jerry Hicks, president of Extension Partners, estimated that about 200 people attended.
UI Extension is an organization whose purpose is to connect Illinois residents to the University through educational programs. 4-H Youth Development is a division of the program with educational programs targeted toward young people. Cook County Extension Service provides Extension programs unique to an urban area.
The programs educate citizens on topics that range from food nutrition to environment sustainability to enhancing youth and family well-being.
UI Extension learned April 1 that the release of state funding was not approved. Earlier in the fiscal year, the Illinois General Assembly approved an allotted amount of money to finance the program, but the governor's budget did not release the funds, Hicks said.
At the joint session, Pam Weber, legislative consultant for Extension Partners, was asked to provide a testimony on how the lack of funding would negatively affect the program, said Jeanne Harland, legislative chair for Extension Partners.
"Basically when we finished (the meeting), I think that it was understood that we have (the General Assembly's) attention," Hicks said.
In addition to the job cuts, programs that run in counties throughout the state will also be eliminated due to a lack of funds and a lack of employees to run them, Hicks added.
The lack of funding will cause the program to cut about 450 jobs statewide, according to a press release.
The Illinois House of Representatives and Senate Committees of Agriculture and Conservation as well as the Senate Committee of Appropriations II requested members of Extension Partners to attend the joint session. Also in attendance were members of about 10 other groups that obtain funds from the state's Department of Agriculture budget and are also facing budget cuts.
Jerry Hicks, president of Extension Partners, estimated that about 200 people attended.
UI Extension is an organization whose purpose is to connect Illinois residents to the University through educational programs. 4-H Youth Development is a division of the program with educational programs targeted toward young people. Cook County Extension Service provides Extension programs unique to an urban area.
The programs educate citizens on topics that range from food nutrition to environment sustainability to enhancing youth and family well-being.
UI Extension learned April 1 that the release of state funding was not approved. Earlier in the fiscal year, the Illinois General Assembly approved an allotted amount of money to finance the program, but the governor's budget did not release the funds, Hicks said.
At the joint session, Pam Weber, legislative consultant for Extension Partners, was asked to provide a testimony on how the lack of funding would negatively affect the program, said Jeanne Harland, legislative chair for Extension Partners.
"Basically when we finished (the meeting), I think that it was understood that we have (the General Assembly's) attention," Hicks said.
In addition to the job cuts, programs that run in counties throughout the state will also be eliminated due to a lack of funds and a lack of employees to run them, Hicks added.
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