Another potential victim of Illinois’ budgetary woes could be the University of Illinois Extension program.

State budget restraints have prompted the University of Illinois Extension to explore ways to cut costs while continuing to provide valuable community-based programming.

Now the new interim Extension director Bob Hoeft is seeking public input on their options.

“To be fiscally responsible, U of I Extension is planning for program cuts, but we want to make these cuts in such a way as to maintain Extension’s strong tradition of high-impact educational programming, which has had a dramatic effect on the citizens of Illinois over the years,” said Hoeft.

A series of public meetings are scheduled for citizens to air their views and those most convenient for Shelby County are:

*Monday, February 22: 5 - 7 p.m.- Champaign Unit Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

*Friday, February 26: 2 - 4 p.m.- Effingham Unit Office, 1209 Wenthe Drive, Effingham.

Tuesday, March 9: 6 - 8 p.m.- U of I Extension Center Illini Auditorium, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1101 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield

*There will be two teleconference opportunities for council/community leaders unable to attend a public meeting. Those teleconferences are scheduled for: Wednesday, February 24 at 5:30 - 7 p.m. and Thursday, March 11 at 2 - 3:30 p.m.. You should contact the Shelby County Extension office to arrange participation in the teleconference. The office can be reached at 774-9546.

Shelby County Extension Unit Manager Jim Looft said this is a very serious time in the history of extension and more specifically Shelby County Extension. He said once a program is reduced or cut it is very difficult to restore it even during favorable budget conditions.

“This will be one of the few chances to make your concerns and wishes known,” said Looft. “It would be an awe-inspiring experience for our new interim director to see the Effingham facility filled with people, standing room only.”

Hoeft said it is projected that Extension funding will decline between $2 and $5 million next year, and a rescission of state funding is expected for the 2009-10 budget year.

Looft said Extension personnel have been told the state will be giving a 70 percent match to the extension units.

“What that means is we are going to lose over $26,000 in funding from the state and that is if they match at 70 percent,” Looft said.

He went on to say the Extension is 82 percent staff expense so that means, “going forward there is going to be changes.”

“One of the ways to cut staff is to cut programs.”

Looft said another option that the university is pushing on the counties is the possibility of joining with other counties in some manner.

“Merge is not the right word but it might be joint administratively and someone would take administrative responsibilities for both units and the other person would revert back to possibly being an educator.”

He said that would mean by putting those two units together administratively there could more programs offered and there could be some savings.

“Through all this, it is my goal and it is the goal of the staff in the county to keep on doing all the things we are doing, but that might not be possible going forward,” continued Looft. “It is a real threat.”

Looft said he believes it is vitally important for Shelby County residents to come to that meeting in Effingham on February 26. He said he plans to speak to the county board and urge them to attend.

“The 4-H will be advised how important it is to be there in great numbers, because that is a demonstration of the support and the concern the people of Shelby County have for these programs.”

Looft said he understands changes are necessary in the Extension programs but concerned citizens need to demonstrate to the university that the changes they make will not be taken lightly.

“We need to show them that this is a very important program and that they need to do whatever changes or restructuring is done in the best interest of the counties and the programming that is done in the counties.”