Legislation sponsored by State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) to ensure stable funding for County Cooperative Extension programs, such as 4-H, is ready for the Governor’s signature. House Bill 2264 clarifies language in state statute to ensure funds intended to support extension programs cannot be withheld by the state.
When the bill passed unanimously in the House back in April, Weber said, “Speaking from my personal experience with our local extension, I can tell you how beneficial these programs are to our youth and our communities. House Bill 2264 is very simple, one word simple in fact, but this one word change will have a major impact on ensuring our extension programs have the stability and security they need to continue their good work.”
As Weber noted, HB 2264 simply changes one word in state law, but by changing this one word, it ensures uniformity between the County Cooperative Extension Law and the Civil Administrative Code. Due to vagueness in current law, funds meant for the State Cooperative Extension Trust Fund, which helps fund extension programs, have not been regularly deposited. The new uniformity created through HB 2264 means the fund will no longer be shortchanged and stability will be guaranteed for local extension programs.
HB 2264 passed the House by a vote of 111 to 0 and the State Senate by a vote of 56 to 0. Its next stop before becoming law is the Governor’s desk. For more information about the bill, Click Here.