By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

URBANA, Ill. — The University of Illinois Extension announced its final administrative restructuring last week. The Extension released a map of how local county programs will be administered, which is available for viewing on their website.

“This new organizational map includes larger multi-county unit operations with a local presence in every county,” said Bob Hoeft, interim manager for Illinois Extension. “This map reveals the counties that will form new partnerships to reduce administrative costs of county operations. Several factors including partnering agencies, potential for clientele to relate to each other and geographic resources were considered in the multi-county configurations.”

The realignment of Extension offices is a result of the slashing of $7 million in funding by the Illinois General Assembly, which is struggling to reduce the state’s massive debt load.

A number of county unit directors positions were relinquished as part of the consolidation, as were several educators and clerical positions. Some directors and educators retired, such as Bob Frazee, natural resources educator for the East Peoria Extension center, who will work his last day on Friday, May 28 after 38 years of service.

According to a news release from Extension, programming in the new, multi-county units will continue to be guided by local Extension councils, which are comprised of local citizens. Educational programs will be affected because “present day resources are fewer than in the past,” according to the news release.

Programs that demonstrate a measurable impact on the quality of life in local communities will continue to be supported by Extension, while less relevant programs may be sacrificed depending on their local relevance and participation level. County directors and educators will work with local councils and stakeholders to identify program priorities and available financial resources for supporting staffing needs.

According to Hoeft, the restructuring addresses financial constraints while providing a continuation of research-based, high-impact programs that address changing societal and personal needs.

In central Illinois, the Peoria, Tazewell, Mason and Fulton county units will be consolidated into one unit, though no information was given on where the multi-unit office will be located. Also scheduled for consolidation are the counties of Woodford, McLean and Livingston. LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Marshall counties, and Knox, Warren, Henderson and McDonough counties will merge. The only county unit that will not be reconfigured is Cook County (Chicago).

Staffing positions will be decided this summer and fall, making for a difficult transition year ahead, Woodford County Extension Director Cynthia Baer told news sources.