Rural Affairs Council — Achievement and Future Opportunity By GEORGE H. RYAN, Lieutenant Governor Chairman, Rural Affairs Council

As Chairman of the Rural Affairs Council, I look forward to the promise of 1989 and efforts to bring a focus within state government to rural development. The Rural Affairs Council was created in October 1986 by Executive Order Number 7 in order to help the planning and delivery of all state programs and services for the benefit of rural Illinois citizens, communities, and businesses.

Much has been achieved over the past two years. A Center for Value-Added Agriculture at the University of Illinois has been funded to develop new agriculturally based high-tech manufacturing. An Institute for Rural Affairs is working at Western Illinois University to study and report on the needs of rural communities. There have also been implemented new state regulations to promote both the aquaculture and bed and breakfast industries. In addition, the State is a financial partner in the Peoria-based Biotechnology Research and Development Consortium. This undertaking represents a federal/state/private consortium with six Fortune 500 companies to develop — using Illinois crops and technology — new industries, more jobs, and better markets for our agricultural products.

Progress is being made in rural education as well. The STAR SCHOOLS PROGRAM, a cooperative venture between the Illinois State Board of Education and Western Illinois University, will provide improved instruction in mathematics, science, and foreign languages to 72 rural Illinois schools via satellite transmission. This exciting development will bolster rural students' competitiveness in college entrance exams, the work place, and the global economy in which we live.

Rural health care is receiving attention too. A program which provides increased reimbursements to physicians for pre-natal and delivery services in high infant mortality areas is available in Illinois' seven southern most counties.

And while it's encouraging to see some of the achievements of State government on behalf of rural Illinois citizens, there is yet a long way to go.

Opportunities to strengthen the rural Illinois economy must be seized. The Illinois General Assembly has passed into law an Office of Rural Community Development, and a Rural Diversification Loan Program in the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. These programs must be funded. Also passed into law is a Bureau of Agricultural Development in the Department of Agriculture. This program must be funded to explore and develop new opportunity markets for Illinois farmers. I have written to the leadership of the Illinois General Assembly calling for support of these efforts.

Finally, the Rural Affairs Council has been working with the Illinois Ambassadors and the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs in planning an Illinois Community Expo this spring. The event is designed to link rural communities with corporate decision makers for industrial expansion in rural areas. The Illinois Community Expo will provide a forum for rural communities to attract employers willing to invest in the unique quality of life and the skilled workforce that small towns and rural areas offer. Through these and other measures, I look forward to working with the members of the Rural Affairs Council and the many fine rural areas of our State. •

February 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19