Illinois Community EXPO By GEORGE H. RYAN, Lieutenant Governor Chairman, Rural Affairs Council

Lt. Gov. George Ryan has invited Illinois cities and villages to participate in the Illinois Community EXPO June 1st and 2nd, 1989.

The Illinois Community EXPO is an exciting new concept, designed to showcase Illinois towns and cities from across the State of Illinois. The EXPO will be held at the O'Hare Exposition Center. The Rural Affairs Council will conduct the Illinois Communities Exposition (EXPO) in conjunction with Lt. Gov. Ryan's office;

Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA); Illinois Ambassadors; Illinois Congressional Delegation, the Illinois Municipal League and others. This program is designed to assist smaller cities in Illinois in recruiting new manufacturing and commercial businesses to their community. "This is a unique opportunity to market community assets to an audience of business decision makers and economic development professionals." As a first step, prior to the EXPO, six regional working seminars have been scheduled in March and April. These seminars will give information on how to prepare for the EXPO. The schedule is:

March 30 — Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
March 31 — Eastern Illinois University at Charleston
April 7 — Illinois State University at Normal
April 10 — Northern Illinois University at DeKalb
April 13 — Western Illinois University at Macomb
April 14 — University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana

Please confirm your participation in one of these seminars by contacting:

Mr. Don Norton
Executive Director
Illinois Rural Affairs Council
612 Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-7514

Lt. Gov. George Ryan stated, "We at the Rural Affairs Council are confident that both the seminars and the EXPO will address the needs and concerns of municipal governments in Illinois, and look forward to participation by your community." •

March 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15