News

Illinois Extension seeks comment on cuts

University of Illinois Extension leaders are seeking public input on ways to cut costs prompted by state budget constraints. Monday is the first in a series of ten public meetings to gather input.

In a news release, Bob Hoeft, interim Extension director, says the department is planning for funding cuts, but he says cuts need to be made in such a way to maintain the tradition and impact of extension programming. He says youth programs and 4-H are priorities.

Extension funding is projected to decline between $2 and $5 million next year. Extension’s FY09 budget totaled $65 million, supporting 800 employees.

Hoeft says cost-savings aren’t finalized, but he says Extension is exploring the concept of multi-county units to reduce administrative costs. But at the same time, it’s expected that the number of educators would increase for these multi-county units.

Following the meetings, reorganization plans are expected to be finalized in mid-April with implementation after that.

Illinois Extension has a 90-year history of providing educational programming, including 4-H, in all 102 Illinois counties.

There are 10 meetings planned:

• Monday, February 22: 5:00-7:00 pm – Champaign Unit Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign, Illinois 

• Tuesday, February 23: 6:30-8:30 pm – John A. Logan College, Hancock Conference Center, 700 College Road, Carterville, Illinois 

• Thursday, February 25: 2:00-4:00 pm – DeKalb Unit Office, 1350 W Prairie Drive, Sycamore, Illinois 

• Friday, February 26: 2:00-4:00 pm – Effingham Unit Office, 1209 Wenthe Drive, Effingham, Illinois 

• Monday, March 1: 7:00-9:00 pm – Okawville Community Club Building, 511 S. Hanover St., Okawville, Illinois 

• Tuesday, March 2: 6:00-8:00 pm – Kane Unit Office, 535 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles, Illinois 

• Thursday, March 4: 1:00-3:00 pm – McDonough Unit Auditorium, 3022 W. Jackson, Macomb, Illinois 

• Thursday, March 4: 6:00-8:00 pm – Bureau Unit Office, 850 Thompson Street, Princeton, Illinois 

• Tuesday, March 9: 6:00-8:00 pm – U of I Extension Center Illini Auditorium, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1101 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield, Illinois 

• Friday, March 12: 10:00-Noon – Countryside Center, 6438 Joliet Rd., Countryside, Illinois