Executive Order Number 11-04

Executive Order Number 11-04 (PDF, 124 KB)

Executive Order Regarding the Governor's Rural Affairs Council

WHEREAS, the Governor's Rural Affairs Council was created pursuant to Executive Order Number 7 on October 15, 1986 to maintain the rural emphasis in Illinois government, strengthen the rural economy, increase the capacity and viability of local governments and improve education and human service opportunities in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, these issues remain priorities of the State of Illinois in the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, the needs of rural residents and communities vary greatly from one part of the State of Illinois to another part of the State; and

WHEREAS, the rural challenges and opportunities continue to evolve over time; and

WHEREAS, the Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University is the academic clearinghouse in the State of Illinois for rural development and initiatives; and

WHEREAS, policies and programs developed to meet the needs of rural Illinoisans are most effective when directed and coordinated by a leader at the highest level of state government; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and the Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University coordinate rural development initiatives through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; and

WHEREAS, the Lieutenant Governor, as Chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, has the authority to organize government and private sector resources to secure assistance and enhance the quality of life for rural Illinoisans; and

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, pursuant to the powers vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Illinois, do hereby order as follows:

1. PURPOSE
   The purpose of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council is to develop and implement strategies for improving delivery of State of Illinois services to rural Illinois and to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life for rural residents. The Governor's Rural Affairs Council and the Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University shall continue to issue an Annual Report in accordance with Executive Order Number 13 of October 11, 1991.
   
   
2. MEMBERSHIP
   1. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as Chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council.
   2. Members of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council shall include one representative from each of the following Illinois not-for-profit corporations: Illinois Agricultural Association and Rural Partners.
   3. Members of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council shall also include one representative from each of the following governmental agencies or institutions in the State of Illinois: Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois State Board of Education, University of Illinois-Cooperative Extension Service, Illinois Housing Development Authority, Southern Illinois University, Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, and Illinois Finance Authority.
   4. The Governor shall appoint up to six citizen members to serve on the Governor's Rural Affairs Council as required to increase the Governor's Rural Affairs Council membership to a total of no more than 25 members.
   
   
   
3. GOVERNANCE
   1. The Council shall meet as often as the Chair deems necessary.
   2. The governmental agencies or institutions in the State of Illinois with representatives eligible to serve on the Governor's Rural Affairs Council shall provide information upon request to the Chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council concerning agency programs, data, and activities that impact rural Illinois.
   3. The Chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council may appoint persons, including but not limited to, representatives from government, private industry, and not-for-profit organizations, to serve on committees of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and to provide input to the Governor's Rural Affairs Council as a whole.
   
   
   
4. TRANSPARENCY In addition to whatever policies or procedures the Governor's Rural Affairs Council may adopt, all operations of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council will be subject to the provision of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 430/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 12011 et seq.). This Section shall not be construed so as to preclude other statutes from applying to the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and its activities.
   
   
5. PRIOR EXECUTIVE ORDERS Executive Order Number 6 of October 15, 1986, Executive Order Number 7 of October 15, 1986, Executive Order Number 13 of October 11, 1991 and Executive Order Number 1 of January 11, 2000 are each hereby amended in accordance with the provisions of this Executive Order Number 11-04.
   
   
6. EFFECTIVE DATE This Executive Order Number 11-04 shall become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
   
   

Pat Quinn
Governor

Governor Issued by the Governor: May 18, 2011
Filed with the Secretary of State: May 18, 2011