| Extension office should get overdue state funds next week |
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Carrie Edgar, left, county director with the University of Illinois Extension Adams/Brown Unit, and Master Gardener Deborah Lee share a laugh while setting tomato cages during August 2006 at the group's community garden located near Jackson-Lincoln Pool. The project is a cooperative effort by the Extension office,
the city and Quincy Park District, that allows residents to grow
vegetables, herbs and flowers on public space and learn from expert gardeners. The Extension learned Friday that about $18 million in long overdue state funding should be available sometime next week. (H-W File Photo)
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Created: 5/9/2008 | Updated: 5/21/2008
By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer
The check is in the mail.
Carol Knowles, press secretary for the Illinois comptroller’s office, announced Friday that University of Illinois Extension will get its long-delayed funding within days.
“They should have the (money) next week,” Knowles said. “We’ve transferred the funds, about $18 million, to be able to write the warrants. Those vouchers are being processed today and funds will be issued to the University of Illinois (Friday).”
Gov. Rod Blagojevich had withheld the extension money — as well as money for soil and water conservation district offices — for several months, citing a budget shortfall. He announced last week that the money would be released soon, but there was no firm timeline.
Carrie Edgar, county director for the University of Illinois Extension’s Adams-Brown Unit, called that wonderful news. The money will make it possible for Edgar to move forward with renting new office space in Brown County where the extension service’s lease expires June 30.
“The money will ensure that we can go forward with the 4-H program through the summer and the county fair” judging which is part of the 4-H program, Edgar said.
Gary Beaumont, a spokesman for the University of Illinois Extension program, was happy to see the money released. Extension leaders are now looking toward the next state budget where Blagojevich’s proposal does not include a Cook County initiative that has been funded for the past three years. Beaumont hopes the program is put back into the budget for the coming year.
The $18 million in this year’s extension line item represents 85 cents in state support for every $1 contributed locally, Beaumont said.
Knowles said the comptroller’s office is still waiting on paperwork so that soil and water conservation funds can be released. That work might be done as early as next week.
“It’s my understanding Agriculture is working to get grant agreements signed and in order before they can get us the vouchers,” Knowles said. “They (warrant checks) can be moved quickly when we have the paperwork.”
The Illinois Department of Agriculture oversees the extension program grants and hand-delivered the vouchers to the comptroller’s office to assure speedy delivery, Knowles said.
Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, and Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Mount Sterling, were strong supporters of releasing the funds.
—dwilson@whig.com/221-3372
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