SPRINGFIELD - Building on her efforts to support defense and rural communities, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will lead discussions on how to better serve military families, provide healthy food options in rural communities and assist rural school districts in separate public meetings being held in Springfield on Wednesday.
"I expect many fruitful discussions on important rural and military issues at these meetings," said Simon. "I am looking forward to a productive dialogue on how we can better serve rural and defense communities."
Simon will chair the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC) meeting on Wednesday morning. Findings and recommendations from defense community listening posts and an online survey will be released. Throughout the summer, Simon's office convened listening posts in Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago, all of which are home to military installations and are already struggling with the economic impact of sequestration, federal government shutdown and the possibility of future cuts. An online survey followed in the fall.
The survey and listening posts were administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA). More than 750 participants answered questions pertaining to business opportunities, education, workforce training and quality of life. The IMBSEDC is required by statute to coordinate the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois, and provides advice and recommendations for base retention, realignment and reuse.
Later in the day, Simon will chair a Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC) meeting. The 25-member council will discuss proposals to encourage healthy eating in rural communities via double value coupons for food stamps, promote small businesses, improve access to emergency services and assist rural school districts.
Established by Governor's executive order, the GRAC is tasked with improving delivery of state services to rural Illinois and expanding opportunities for rural residents to enhance their quality of life. Under Simon's leadership, the GRAC has worked to expand access to locally grown, healthy foods and emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas, as well as other rural issues.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
EVENT: IMBSEDC Meeting
TIME: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION: State House, Room 214, Springfield
EVENT: GRAC Meeting
TIME: 2 - 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Stratton Building, Room 413, 401 S. Spring St., Springfield
###
