Illinois
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Not waffling on Water 2000

President Clinton has signed an appropriations bill including $577 million for Water 2000, an initiative to provide safe water to many rural American homes still without.

At least 2.5 million rural residents, including 60,000 in Illinois, have problems with drinking water availability, quality or dependability, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates.

The amount represents a 2 percent increase in funding over last year for the program, administered through the USDA's Rural Utilities Service. Water 2000 projects are funded primarily through USDA programs that since 1940 have loaned more than $15 billion for safe drinking water and sanitary sewer systems in rural America. The program boasts a pay-back rate of 99.9 percent, meaning that less than $1 is written off for every $1,000 loaned.

"Any increase in what we can invest in meeting critical, water-related public health needs is a victory, especially during these times of necessary budgetary restraints," said Wally Furrow, state director.

In the fiscal year that just ended, almost $26 million was made available in Illinois for high priority drinking water projects under its Water 2000 commitment to provide save water to more than 2,767 rural households and businesses.

Avez-vous vin de Illinois?

The new Illinois Grape and Wine Resources Council thinks it would be peachy if Illinois restaurants served Illinois wine.

"Since I've become chair of the Illinois Grape and Wine Resources Council, I ask if they have Illinois wines whenever I go into restaurants," said James M. McGuire, dean of the College of Agriculture at Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus. "Most of them don't, so we have a job to do. That's a priority for me."

McGuire said boosting the grape and wine industry (see Illinois Country Living, January, 1998) could be of enormous benefit downstate where many mining jobs have been lost.

John W. McFarland, president of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, can testify to that. He started growing grapes ten years ago after losing his job at Old Ben Mine No. 24. Now he sells his grapes for about $700 a ton, or more than $4,000 an acre.

"I don't care how many bushels of corn you put in. You're not going to get $4,000 an acre," McFarland said. Illinois grape growers now produce less than half the amount of grapes needed to support the Illinois wine industry at its present size.

"There's a real opportunity here," McGuire said. Oh, and by the way, the next time you visit a restaurant, ask for Illinois wine.

Dates of note

Feb. 3-5, Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, Springfield, sponsored by the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. "History in the Making," is this year's theme. A session on Feb. 3 will provide an overview of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism programs. On Feb. 4, demonstration sites for the Illinois Heritage Tourism program will be identified. Call (800) 690-4805 for reservations and info.

Feb. 19, Mining for Grants & Loans, sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs at 18 sites statewide. Satellite workshops will provide information on financial assistance and grant and loan programs available for infrastructure improvements. Call (217) 785-3263 or point your browser to DCCA's website at www.commerce.state.il.us/dcca for site info.

Rebuilding communities

A new book written by the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation showcases many small communities that have refused to let their downtowns die.

The 261-page book, Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl, is written by Richard Moe, the trust's president, and Carter Wilkie and is published by Henry Holt and Company. The book has chapters on neighborhood revitalization, Main Street revivals, the reinvention of downtown, and the role/future of preservation. It contains examples and case studies.

It costs $25 and is available from the trust at (202) 588-6219.

6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING FEBRUARY 1998