SPRINGFIELD, IL – Local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCDs) and University of Illinois Extension offices were notified on April 30 by the Governor that nearly $7 million for SWCDs and $18 million for Extension offices in operational funds are to be released, according to State Senator John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) and State Representative David Reis (R- Ste. Marie).

“I am pleased this money is finally being released by the Administration. Unfortunately, it took way too long for this money to be released to the Soil and Water Conservations District and U of I Extension offices,” Jones said. “This is potentially the first step in allowing the agricultural programs to return to normalcy.”

“The agriculture groups and 4-H kids did a wonderful job of telling their story to the administration on just how important the programs are to rural Illinois,” said Reis. “I really appreciate the budget folks listening to their pleas and finally releasing the operation funding”

The legislator’s comments come nearly a month after a group of more than 20 legislators, called on the Governor to release the remaining operation and Conservation Practices funds. As of April 1, only $1.7 million of the $7.4 million appropriation had been released to the 98 Illinois SWCDs and none of the $6.0 million had been appropriated for the Conservation Practices Program. The appropriations enable local SWCDs to continue water supply protection, erosion control and day-to-day office operations.

Illinois’ 98 SWCDs employ about 250 people who work to ensure that water supplies are protected. Local SWCDs also provide educational programs to the agricultural community about soil erosion prevention. The state appropriation allows Illinois to capture almost $250 million in federal and organizational funds.

U of I Extension offices serve an estimated 2.5 million residents each year, including nearly 300,000 youths who take part in 4-H programs and county fairs. The offices also employ 450 agricultural service employees.

“We were not going to lye down with out a fight, these programs are too important to the Illinois economy and our future generations,” Reis said.

“This hopefully will bring some closure to the SWCD and U of I Extension situation, but I must stress that the remaining $6 million in Conservation Practices Program funding is also essential to the SWCD core mission,” Jones concluded. “The fight continues to get the funds released for the C-FAR,  AgraAbility and the other agriculture programs.”

MT. VERNON, IL –Senate lawmakers took a short break this week before their scheduled April 29 return. The Senate will be in session every week through the end of May said State Senator John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon), considering House legislation and negotiating a Fiscal Year 2009 budget by the scheduled May 29 adjournment.

Though legislators were not in the Statehouse this week, many continued to weigh in on legislation that would move Illinois one step closer to allowing for the recall of its constitutional officers and legislative representatives. Senate Joint Resolution Committee Amendment 28 was hotly debated in a Senate Executive Committee on April 17, but despite the measure’s widespread support, it was ultimately held by its Senate Democrat sponsor.

Many lawmakers and various newspapers around the state have advocated for a Senate vote on the recall amendment, and the furor has only heightened as allegations of pay-to-play politics continue to surface in the ongoing Tony Rezko corruption trial. Most recently, former director of the Illinois Finance Authority Ali Ata admitted that he was awarded his $127,000 per year state position in return for his contributions to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund.

As media reports of political corruption and scandal continue to dominate state headlines, advocates for ethics and contracting reforms are renewing their calls for passage of legislation that would crack down on campaign donations from state contractors. Senate Republicans are reminding the public that on April 26, it will be one full year since important pay-to-play ethics reforms (House Bill 1) were sent to the Senate Rules Committee and held there by Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago).

A proponent of comprehensive ethics and contracting reform in Illinois, Senator Jones is calling on the Senate President to allow for the consideration of House Bill 1, sweeping reform and accountability legislation that has been stalled in the Senate Rules committee since it was approved by House representatives. Though new ethics reform legislation was recently introduced, many lawmakers continue to call for a Senate vote on House Bill 1, saying that it would address many concerns with the current system until the recently introduced measure, contained in amendments to House Bill 824, can be negotiated and approved by the General Assembly.

Finally, this week the Transportation for Illinois Coalition cautioned that it is imperative for Illinois to repair its roads and transportation infrastructure, advocating for state lawmakers to approve a capital improvement plan. The bipartisan organization said that Illinois should invest at least $5 billion per year to maintain the state’s bridges, roads and transportation system.

Senate Republicans have been speaking in favor of a capital works project, noting that transportation improvements and repairs are desperately needed. They also support a capital plan as essential, not only to ensure the safety of the state’s road system, but also for economic development through the creation of thousands of construction jobs as well as permanent employment.