(30 ILCS 120/14) (from Ch. 85, par. 664)

Sec. 14. 4-H.

(a) University of Illinois extension units that conduct at least one show or exhibition of the eligible members' project work approved by the State 4-H Office and that pay premium moneys, including $800 maximum in judges' fees, shall be eligible to participate in an appropriation made for this purpose by the General Assembly. As directed by the University, each county's extension leader shall report to the State 4-H Office the eligible number of members participating in the 4-H year. The University shall then file with the Bureau of County Fairs and Horse Racing an Accountability for Agricultural Premiums report certifying the number of eligible 4-H members. All appropriated moneys are to be fully expended as specified (see Part 260 Fairs Operating Under the Agricultural Fair Act Sec. 260.305). If moneys are not fully expended, they shall be returned to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of County Fairs and Horse Racing. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to more than one show or exhibition per calendar year of any one class or type of project work. Based on each year's specified appropriation and as determined by the Department, the county or extension unit shall participate at a rate predetermined by the Bureau per eligible member for the year as recorded in the State 4-H Office.

(b) Premium payments. The extension leader of each county or unit shall certify to the State 4-H Officer under oath on a form furnished by the Department the projected amount to be paid out in premiums per exhibitor at the show or exhibition for the current fair season and the name of the officer or organization making those projections. The certification shall be based upon the certified number of eligible 4-H members from the previous 4-H year, reported to the Department as of December 31 of that year. Upon receipt of the certification the Department shall make payment to the officer or organization in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) Reimbursement for judges' fees and ribbons. The extension leader of each county or unit shall certify to the State 4-H Officer under oath on a form furnished by the Department the amount paid out in judges' fees and ribbons at the show or exhibition for the current fair season and the name of the officer or organization making the payments. This certification shall be accompanied by itemized receipts as evidence of the certified amounts, and it must be filed with the Department before December 31 of each year. Upon receipt of the certification the Department shall reimburse the officer or organization making the payments in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(d) Subject to continued appropriation and availability of cash. All extension publications stating that cash premiums will be awarded shall recite that awards are subject to modification or cancellation in any year for which the General Assembly fails to make an appropriation to fund the premiums.

(Source: P.A. 97-214, eff. 7-28-11.)