AGENDA
GOVERNOR’S RURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008
413 STRATTON
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Welcome
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn
Introductions
o Update mailing list
Minutes from last meeting, Norm Walzer, Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs
Agenda items—each report no more than 5 minutes
o Rural Consumer/Tax Payer
 Earned Income Tax Credit—Larry Garner, Tax Counseling Project,
Center for Economic Progress
 Results from ‘08
 Plans for ‘09
 Rural Families Economic Summit—Caronina Grimble, Illinois Department
of Human Services
 Souper Bowl of Caring/National Schools of Caring—Carolyn Brown
Hodge, Office of Lt. Governor
 Results from ‘08
o 567 groups (544 churches, 20 school, and 3 “other”)
participated and reported
o In total, $290,446.83 was generated and donated to non
profits throughout the State of Illinois
o The total represents a 6% increase compared to 2007
o Press release from last year in packet
 Illinois Bankers Association Activities for Agricultural and Rural Illinois—
Gary McCants, Illinois Bankers Association
o Telecommunications
 Rural HealthNet Consortium—Ryan Croke, Office of Lt. Governor
 Vince Demuzio Rural Broadband Initiative—Ryan Croke, Office of Lt.
Governor
 Laptop Initiative—Ryan Croke, Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
o Transportation
 Rural Public Transportation—Ed Heflin, Rural Transit Assistance Center,
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, WIU
o All American Energy
 Smart Energy Design Assistance Center—Donald Fournier, Program
Manager, Smart Energy Design Assistance Center
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Energy Efficiency Incentives from DCEO—Carol Kulek, Energy Division
Representative, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, DCEO
 Illinois Clean Diesel Grant Program/Illinois Clean School Bus Program—
Darwin Burkhart, Illinois EPA
 Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Value-added Sustainable Development
Center—Chris Merrett, Director and Fred Iutzi, Program Manager for the
Value-added Sustainable Development Center, Illinois Institute for Rural
Affairs, WIU
 Il. 25 X 25 Renewable Energy Alliance—Blake Roderick, Two Rivers
Farm Bureau Foundation
Healthcare
 Rural Health Task Force Report/RMED Update—Dale Flach and Matthew
Hunsaker, U of I National Center for Rural Health Professions, Rockford
 Health Information Technology Resource Center—Kathy Maddock, Gyure
& Associates
 Healthy Communities Partnership—Kristin Lessen, Abraham Lincoln
Hosptial
 February is Heart Month when we will salute people making saves with
AEDs—Carolyn Brown Hodge, Office of Lt. Governor
 Federal AED Grant/Letter asking for prompt payment of state’s bills—
Alice Foss, Illinois Rural Health Association
Housing
 Report from the Housing Task Force’s Rural/Small Cities Working Group/
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program—Alan Quick, Illinois Housing
Development Authority
Other Business
 National Animal Identification System/Premise ID—Sarah Marshall
 Importance of Illinois’ Livestock Industry—Bill Olthoff, Illinois Farm Bureau
 Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force—Jim Braun, Illinois
Farmer/Consumer Coalition
 Governor’s Rural Affairs County Annual Report—Norm Walzer, Director
Emeritus, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, WIU
 Rural Economic Development Conference sponsored by the Illinois
Institute of Rural Affairs, GRAC, and Rural Partners in March in Peoria—
Norm Walzer, Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs
 Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn Annual Report
Other business
Next Meeting
GRAC Min 6-2-08
Minutes
Governor’s Rural Affairs Council
June 2, 2008
1. Carolyn Brown Hodge opening the meeting in the Department of Agriculture building
conference room at 10:00 a.m. and passed around a sign-up sheet for participants to
check the accuracy of their information.
2. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
3. Looking for Lincoln Coalition—Hal Smith
The LfL Coalition has received funding approval for the Abraham Lincoln Natural
Heritage Area. This area will help keep history alive and build tourism in member sites.
There currently are 40 Heritage Areas but this is the only one named after a president. A
firm will be contracted to help prepare the management plan. This is the 150th
Anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and several other important dates which will
offer excellent opportunities for programming.
4. Illinois Child Care Task Force in Rural Illinois--Sheldon Keyser and Judith Hartley
Rural Partners and other agencies launched a program to help communities design
programs to accommodate child care in rural areas. That program still continues and was
described. More than 32 organizations participate in this effort and 4 manuals have been
prepared. The purpose of the efforts is to assist in building local capacity so that children
have access to adequate after school care. This issue is important in attracting business.
5. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago—Harry Pestine
There have been recent changes in credit for farm operations including an
increase in assets for Individual Development Accounts; assistance for beginning farmers
and ranchers; microenterprise assistance programs included in the Farm Bill. There also
are changes in the designations for distressed and underserved rural areas. These changes
were described along with reference information about other major recent changes in
federal programs.
6. Lt. Governor Quinn joined the meeting and acknowledged Doug Scott from Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency and their work with environmental cleanup.
7. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency --Dick Breckenridge
Several IEPA programs including work with Bio-diesel research and alternative
fuels were described. Efforts are underway with SIU-C on vegetable oil processing.
Several efforts including the I-RID to clean up illegal drugs and pharmaceuticals are ongoing with small county governments. Small governments often need special technical
assistance because they rely heavily on volunteer efforts and management.
8. Restore Funds for UI Extension--CBH
CBH described efforts by the Office of the LtG to help restore funds for the
Extension Service, conservation programs, and other agencies. These programs are
especially important for rural areas.
9. Employment Income Tax Credit—Glen Scoles
Results from the EITC meetings held across the state were described.
Participation has increased from 281 in 2001 to 535 in 2007. The program has two
effects. First, it brings refund money back to Illinois. Second, it saves income tax
preparation costs for participants. The program is effective and new sites such as
Sterling/Rock Falls are being considered. Additional help is needed.
10. Citizen Utility Board – Holly Copeland
One-day clinics at six sites were held to assist participants in stopping
overcharging on phone bills. The average savings was $200 per year. Thus far, 333
people participated. The clinic is free and be presented in communities that are interested.
11. Souper Bowl of Caring – Carolyn Brown Hodge
In 2008, 567 groups participated and reported more than $290 thousand generated
and donated to nonprofits. This is a 6 percent increase from the previous year and assists
the 8 regional food banks in Illinois.
12. Illinois Fan Club – Holly Copeland
This program provides support to residents who need assistance with cooling
during the summer. The DHFS provides matching funds and works with the GRAC to
purchase fans which are then loaned to residents who need them. Ameren has also been
part of this initiative along with the Illinois Community Action Agency.
13. Illinois Rural Health Net – CBH
A $21 million grant administered by NIU will provide a high-speed
communications network connecting rural hospital and medical clinics. Telemedicine and
tele-health services will be delivered over this network. As many as 80 rural
communities will be served through this 3-year program.
14. Vince DeMuzio Rural Broad Band Initiative – CBH
This project, in Macoupin and Montgomery Counties, is designed to increase the
availability of high speed Internet services to help businesses compete; improve rural
health services; increase education opportunities; enable public safety organizations to
provide new services; and improve the options available to residents for Internet services.
The project is now entering the implementation phase.
15. $100 Laptop Initiative – Holly Copeland
The intent is to place inexpensive laptops in the hands of 5th graders across the
state. While the program has been popular, several difficulties in financing the purchases
have been encountered by school districts. Efforts are underway to make it possible for
school districts to spend textbook funds for computers. Providing laptops will increase
educational opportunities for students but also will help stimulate demand for BB in rural
areas.
16. Digital Main Street Initiative – Chris Merrett
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (WIU) is working with the McDonough
Cooperative to improve Internet access to communities in McDonough County through a
grant from the Office of Lt. Governor Quinn. The effort is to upgrade access to the
Internet for small businesses.
17. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transportation – Ed Heflin
Sixty-two federal programs fund transportation resulting in a complex and
disjointed delivery system. The ICCT was created to help organize this system and the
Rural Transportation Assistance Center (IIRA) is a clearinghouse for these efforts.
Counties that do not have transportation services can go through several levels of
technical assistance to obtain funds for a more effective delivery system.
18. Human Services Transportation Plan – Laura Calderon
Federal transportation policies require that states have a coordinated
transportation planning initiative. Illinois has 11 regions and 10 have a plan and are
participating in the statewide initiative. Transportation coordinators are being hired to
assist in the planning effort. The ultimate aim is to better coordinate service delivery.
The Human Services Transportation Plan focuses on the elderly and low income while
the ICCT initiative covers everyone. However, the two initiatives work together to
improve transportation services.
19. Enhancement and Green Streets Programs – Tim Milan
As part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gases by planting more trees and prairie
grasses, the IDOT and ENR provide grants to local governments along designated US or
state highways and major streets. $5 million has been set aside for this effort in Illinois
and the projects must be part of a community landscape or green space local effort. The
application process will be part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. A
20 percent local match is required.
20. Effect of Corn Prices on Food – Rod Weinzierl
The extent to which Ethanol has contributed to higher corn prices and therefore
affects food costs may have been overstated. USDA research suggests that corn prices
paid to farmers represent a small portion of the overall food costs. While farmers receive
more for crops, their input costs have skyrocketed as well. The rising crude oil prices
have had a significant impact throughout the economy and transportation costs contribute
to higher prices as well.
21. BioFuels Research – Chris Merrett
While rising energy costs adversely affect the overall economy, the rising prices
of corn and bio-fuels can help rural economies significantly. The IIRA is working to
determine the kinds of skill sets needed to participate in an expanded bio-fuels economy
and is working with local educational institutions to design a curriculum. It also has
developed a GIS tool to help determine the best sites for ethanol and other fuel related
projects. This GIS program is on the Web and will be available to users anywhere. It may
help avoid costly site selection problems in the past.
22. Wind Energy Site Selection – Chris Merrett
Through a past grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, the IIRA set up
wind monitoring towers in various locations across the state. Some of the results have
been presented at various conferences and the data is being used in decision-making
regarding location of wind turbines and other installations.
23. Affordable Solar Energy – Gerald Guiling
Advancements in solar energy technology have generated products that are
affordable and effective for home use. A Window Dam that mounts over a sliding glass
door to turn it into a solar heat generator was described. This unit can be used in homes
as well as commercially and provides ease of installation, is emissions free, and virtually
maintenance free at low cost. Manufacture of these units can also generate local jobs. The
GRAC does not endorse specific products or manufacturers but wanted to highlight new
developments in the area of solar energy.
24. Illinois 25 X 25 – Blake Roderick
The goal of the 25 X 25 national coalition is to produce 25 percent of the energy
from renewable resources such as biofuels, wind, solar, and hydro by the 2025.
Accomplishing this goal will increase farm incomes, stimulate local economies, create as
many as 5 million jobs, reduce as much as 10 percent of the US projected oil
consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
25. Update on the Farm Bill – Doug Wilson
The Farm Bill contains several provisions that will improve access to funding for
farm operations, especially in loan guarantees. In addition, the bill contains additional
money for water and housing in rural areas. It will take a while to see all of the
provisions in the Bill but it should bring serious money back to Illinois.
26. National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and AED Awareness Week – CBH
The aim of this week in early June is to call attention to the need for improved
access to AEDs and related services. The Office of Lt. Governor will hold a press
conference on Wed. June 4th to recognize people who have saved lives with AEDs.
27. Farm Resource Center Outreach Programs – Roger Hannan
There is a significant need for outreach services for troubled rural teenagers (1318 years) and the Farm Resource Center has worked with DCFS to address this need. In
some instances, efforts will be made to promote adoption and otherwise provide
alternative environments. The FRC needs assistance and is currently exploring needs in
Western Illinois.
28. Rural Housing Activities Updates – Bill Pluta
The Illinois Housing Development Agency has a variety of programs that assist
homeowners and local governments in rural Illinois to provide affordable housing to
residents in need. A statewide task force on housing issues in small communities has
been active for several years and continues its efforts. Further information on IDHA
programs can be found on the Web.
29. Alternative Agriculture Curriculum for Community Colleges –Patrick McGarry
Initiatives are underway to expand opportunities to promote alternative
agriculture especially in community colleges. The Lumpkin Foundation has provided
grants in the past and other programs such as Culinary Arts are being developed in
several community colleges. These programs can be combined with Buy Fresh, Buy
Local initiatives and Farmer’s Markets in communities.
30. Illinois Association of Minorities in Government – Jerrie Blakely
The IAMG advocates for fair hiring of minorities in state and local government. It
has diverse members including migrant workers and wants to inform state and local
public officials about the availability of minority workers when hiring needs arise.
31. National Animal Identification System/Premise ID –Sarah Marshall
A discussion was held about the merits and limitations of a national animal ID
program and its effectiveness was questioned by the presenter.
32. Peace Corps Fellows Program – Chris Merrett
The PCF program in the IIRA has successfully placed 11-month interns in many
rural communities across the state. The students major in one of six departments on
campus and then spend time living in the community and leading local community or
economic development efforts. The PCF program is currently seeking sponsoring
communities and additional information can be obtained at 800-526-9943.
33. Farmer to Consumer Task Force – Jim Brian
It is important to promote buy local programs in order to provide healthier food to
Illinois residents but also to keep food dollars in Illinois. The task force has held 14
listening sessions and has 5 groups to meet to address specific needs and strategies. The
aim is to promote local production/consumption rather than importing foods.
34. Annual Rural Community Development Conference – Norman Walzer
The annual community and economic development conference hosted by IIRA in
conjunction with Rural Partners and the GRAC was held in Peoria in early March. The
program went well with an excellent group of speakers. Topics covered included
entrepreneurship, housing, innovation-led development, creative communities, and
alternative energy options.
35. Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly – Norman Walzer
The annual GRAC report to the Governor and the General Assembly is being
prepared. The format this year involves reviewing the major issues addressed in the
GRAC meetings, highlighting best practices across the state, and recommendations for
future actions.
36. The next GRAC meeting will be in December,
37. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
(Minutes respectfully submitted by Norman Walzer, IIRA)