Legislative Update: Line Item and Fair Funding

From Jake Butcher, IAVAT Lobbyist, and John Edgar, IAVAT Executive Director

"The budget did pass yesterday and included the 1.8 million for Agriculture Education. I will have more to report when we meet next week. Thank you for taking all the late night and early morning calls and putting in the grassroots work to get this done."

Additionally, when Governor Rauner signed into law a stopgap funding plan,  the Department of Ag was provided with with spending authority for several FY 16 & FY 17 programs and initiatives.  Included in that plan was $325,000 in funding for Rehabilitation, Premiums, Fairs & Expositions, Ag Extension, and Vo Ag Fairs.

Please note the following information regarding what the FY16 and FY17 budgets mean for you:
FY16 Budget - Fair reports that were due from Vo-Ag teachers 30 days after their fair took place  - time period of July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
FY17 Budget - Fair reports that will be due from Vo-Ag teachers 30 days after their fair takes place -  time period of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

What does this mean to you - ALL Section Fairs that were held in FY2016 need to be corrected with money listed and resubmitted and sent to the Department of Ag by July 25, 2016.   (Even if you already turned something in within 30 days of your fair.)  ALL 2016 Section Fair reports must be resubmitted.  The sooner you get the Department of Ag your corrected reports the sooner you will get your money for your students.
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For FY2017 - Please continue to submit your section fair reports within the 30 days and submit them as you did this past year with zeros.  Once all the money is paid out for the FY2016, then the Department of Ag will let us know what the Pro Rata will be for FY2017. 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/99/SB/PDF/09900SB2047ham005.pdf