SB0813 EnrolledLRB099 07720 MGM 27853 b

1    AN ACT concerning agriculture.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The County Cooperative Extension Law is amended
5by changing Section 2b as follows:
 
6    (505 ILCS 45/2b)  (from Ch. 5, par. 242b)
7    Sec. 2b. The Cooperative Extension Service of the
8University of Illinois may shall establish a Rural Transition
9Program to be operated in cooperation with the Department of
10Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide assessments,
11career counseling, on-the-job training, tuition
12reimbursements, classroom training, financial management
13training, work experience opportunities, job search skills,
14job placement, youth programs, and support service to farmers
15and their families, agriculture-related employees, other rural
16residents, and small rural businesses who are being forced out
17of farming or other primary means of employment or whose
18standard of living or employment has been reduced because of
19prevailing economic conditions in the agricultural or rural
20economy. Eligible farmers and their families shall include
21those who can demonstrate proof of financial stress, proof of
22foreclosure, proof of bankruptcy, proof of inability to secure
23needed capital, proof of voluntary foreclosure or proof of

 

 

SB0813 Enrolled- 2 -LRB099 07720 MGM 27853 b

1income eligibility for assistance programs administered by the
2Department of Human Services (acting as successor to the
3Department of Public Aid under the Department of Human Services
4Act). Eligible agriculture related employees shall mean tenant
5farmers or other farm employees and employees of businesses
6related to agricultural production who are facing
7displacement, unemployment or underemployment due to a closure
8or reduction in operation of such business or farm due to poor
9economic conditions that prevail in the agricultural or rural
10economy. Other eligible rural residents shall include those
11residing in rural areas whose employment or standard of living
12has been reduced due to the poor economic conditions that
13prevail in the agricultural or rural economy. Eligible small
14rural businesses shall include those existing or new businesses
15established and operating in rural areas that lack access to
16other sources of services provided by this Section. In carrying
17out the provisions of this Section, the Cooperative Extension
18Service may enter into agreements with the Department of
19Commerce and Community Affairs, community colleges, vocational
20schools, and any other State or local private or public agency
21or entity deemed necessary.
22(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)