Extension Partners Needs Your Help Now!

Legislators are working the weekend. Here is the latest from Springfield. Take special note if you live near Effingham or Grundy County.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeanne Harland <jharland@winco.net>
Date: Mon, May 30, 2011 at 6:31 AM
Subject: EP Update Sunday night

This arrived late last night...after I'd gone to bed. It's still pretty fresh, as is our farm after yesterday's rain. J.H.

 

Legislative Update - Sunday night - May 29,2011

First of all.........

I apologize, I gave you wrong information about the Workers' Comp reform.  It did pass the Senate, but needed to go back to the House for concurrence on the Senate amendment.  The motion to concur with the Senate amendment FAILED in the House tonight.  WORKERS' COMP REFORM.......BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

Budget............

Both the Senate Appropriations II Committee and the House General Services Appropriations Committees were cancelled, hopefully to be rescheduled tomorrow (Monday).  It appears they are farther apart on reaching an agreement on the budget than previously thought.

Casino/gaming........

If you are in the Effingham area, please call Rep. Cavaletto and explain to him the importance of the gaming bill that contains funding for Extension and other Ag related items.

We also need calls from the Grundy County area going to Rep. Pam Roth and Sen. Sue Rezin.

All of the above legislators are not only looking at their current districts, but more intently looking to the district in which they will run in the November 2012 election.  So anyone who knows the above mentioned, please give them a call or fax to express not only your support of SB744, but of them if they vote for this funding stream for Extension.

We'll see what tomorrow brings!  Thanks again for all you do!

All for now........Pam Weber

Latest Issue of FYI now Available

FYI 11-03 is now available via the University of Illinois Extension Intranet.

Others can access FYI at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/fyi/

You may want to read Dr. Hoeft's comments about Extension in the future. Interesting that everyone is getting an Extension shirt to wear.

Note also that there are condolences for Sheri Seibold for her mother and Marguerite Kelley for her father. Our thoughts are with Sheri and Marguerite.

Information on Health Insurance

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!  We all have lots of important people to remember.

Here is some information that Tom Ward sent out to a few retirees that he had e-mail addresses for.

"It appears those that have left the University and are retired haven't received this message. I thought you'd like to know."

~Tom

May 25, 2011

To:  Faculty and Staff Members

From:  James P. Davito, Executive Director, University Payroll and Benefits (UPB)

Subject:  FY2012 Benefit Choice (NESSIE) Enrollment Period May 1st - June 17th

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced the final decision regarding the managed care contracts for FY2012.  The original award as announced on April 5, 2011 has been upheld.  Therefore, effective July 1, 2011 the following carriers will be available:

HMO Illinois: www.bcbsil.com/stateofillinois

Blue Advantage: www.bcbsil.com/stateofillinois

PersonalCare Open Access Plan (OAP): www.personalcare.org

HealthLink OAP: www.healthlink.com

Quality Care Health Plan:  http://provider.healthcare.cigna.com/soi.html

Refer to the coverage map in the Benefit Choice Option Booklet to determine what carriers are available in your county.  Premium rates have not changed from FY2011 and are located in the Benefit Choice Booklet along with other managed care information at:  https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/pdf/benefits/BC_Booklet.pdf.

All employees in the following discontinued health plans must make an election by midnight June 17 to avoid being defaulted into the Quality Care Health Plan.

*PersonalCare HMO*, Health Alliance HMO,   Health Alliance Illinois, Humana Health Plans, Humana-Winnebago

(*A special note to PersonalCare HMO members: If you want to switch to the new PersonalCare OAP you must make an election on NESSIE.  Otherwise, if you make no election, you will be defaulted into the Quality Care Health Plan.*)

If you take no action, the State of Illinois will make the choice for you and you will be defaulted into the Quality Care Health Plan.  Health insurance coverage is a personal choice; please take the time to choose what is best for you and your family.  It is your choice!

Open Access Plans (OAPs) provide three different levels of coverage:  Tier I is an HMO network option, Tier II is a PPO network option and Tier III is an Indemnity Plan option.

For changes to health, dental, life and adding or dropping dependents, the NESSIE Benefit Choice enrollment form will be available on May 27 and will continue to be available until midnight on June 17, 2011.  Employees may make elections to their State health and life plan enrollments, opt into or opt out of the State group health insurance plan (if you have other non-state group coverage), opt into or opt out of the dental plan and enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).  You may also add (documentation is required) or drop dependents.  Changes will become effective on July 1, 2011.

Please note that any Benefit Choice FSA enrollments, which you have already submitted can be changed during the remainder of the Benefit Choice period until midnight June 17, 2011.  If you have not enrolled in and wish to participate in the Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) or the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) you must enroll or re-enroll on NESSIE by the end of the Benefit Choice period.  Enrollment in MCAP/DCAP is required each year in order to participate the next plan year.

Beginning May 27, you can access the “Benefit Choice” option in NESSIE at  https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/benefits/index.cfm?Item_ID=10, to make benefit changes online.  Information on other changes for Benefit Choice FY2012 is listed in the email sent on April 29, 2011, which can be reviewed on News & Announcements in NESSIE.  If you need assistance in NESSIE, select the Help link that appears on every screen for answers to common questions and phone numbers to call for assistance.

The Urbana and Springfield campuses are in the process of scheduling additional Benefit Choice outreach sessions.  New sessions will be posted on the OBFS Training website as they are confirmed.  To register for one of the sessions go to the OBFS Training website at:  http://training.obfs.uillinois.edu/index.cfm?campus=5  ***.

Chicago campus business managers and human resource representatives may contact UPB Benefits Services at 312-996-1848 to schedule departmental Benefit Choice sessions.

If you have any questions about your benefit plans or options, please contact your campus UPB Benefits Services office or send e-mail to benefits@uillinois.edu.

UPB Benefits Services – Urbana:  (217) 333-3111

UPB Benefits Services – Chicago:  (312) 996-6471

UPB Benefits Services – Springfield:  (217) 206-7144

UPB Benefits Services (Toll-Free):  (866) 669-4772, Select Option #1

Dependent and OPT OUT Documentation fax:  (217) 244-3135

Update on Thelma

Talked to Thelma on the phone today. She has moved from Heartland Hospital to the Rehabilitation Center at Herrin Hospital for therapy. Her hip is not in a cast. Doctor's think the fracture occurred quite some time ago, and it has already begun to heal.

She has been walking with considerable pain for a while, but last Friday (May 20) she suddenly could not stand. It took a week in the hospital and several tests to figure out what will be best for her. Since it is now a holiday weekend, she won't be evaluated and started on therapy until Tuesday at best.

Caregivers are with her mother at home. Thelma hopes to be there soon. For now you can send cards to: Herrin Hospital Rehabilitation, 201 S. 14th St., Herrin, IL 62948. She is in room 243, bed 1. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Thelma!

2011 is a Special Year!

I shared part of this information with Southern Region IEAFCS at their March meeting. Thanks to Sharon Tanner for sending it along again with some additional interesting facts. We're not advocating that you forward this; that part is up to you. But it can make for a good topic of conversation.


THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE WILL SEE THIS IN OUR LIFETIMES.
Calendar for July 2011
 

July

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Money bags

This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens
once every 823 years. This is called money bags. So, forward this to
your friends and money will arrive within 4 days. Based on Chinese
Feng Shui. The one who does not forward.....will be without money.

Kind of interesting - read on!!!

This year we're going to experience four unusual dates.

1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 and that's not all...

Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add
the age you will be this year,

The results will be 111 for everyone in whole world. This is the year of
the Money!!!

The proverb goes that if you send this to eight good friends, money will
appear in next four days as it is explained in Chinese Feng Shui.

Those who don't continue the chain won't receive.

Its a mystery, but it’s worth a try. Good luck.
 

Thelma Malone in Hospital

We have learned that Thelma Malone has been hospitalized for a few days with a broken thighbone. Evidently she didn't realize when it happened exactly, but it kept getting more painful. She is likely moving from Heartland Hospital near Marion to a rehabilitation center in Herrin very soon. More details will be available later.

More Grand Kid Gems

Joyce Pyatt sent this note in response to the quotes about grand kids perception of grandparents.

"Just had to share a REAL story after the blogspot clips you posted. Two weeks ago in a flurry of play while at the kids, Mason looked at me and said, "Nanny, you have cracks in your face!"  This past weekend, we had a rare treat when Nathan brought the 'big boys' to the farm Fri/Sat. Once again, in outside play, Mason said, "Nanny, you have cracks in your face!" - THIS time, I responded - "That's from smiling at stories from little boys."  We'll see if he remembers that part next time!"

How Children Perceive Their Grandparents

Stormy Skies all Around Today

Hope you don't have any storms today wherever you are!  Thought you might enjoy this. It's from the Internet. Don't know the source.

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before.  After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!"  I will  probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye....

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.  He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62.   My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked,  "Did you start at 1?"

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.  As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin.  Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room,  putting them back to bed with stern warnings.  As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice,
"Who was THAT?"

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like.  "We used to skate outside on a pond.   I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard.  We rode our pony.  We picked wild raspberries in the woods."
The little girl was wide-eyed,  taking this all in.  At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

5.  My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?''  "You're both old," he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story.
"What's it about?" he asked. 
"I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

7.  I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her.  I would point out  something and ask what color it was..  She would tell me and was always correct.  It was fun for me, so I continued.  At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these colors  yourself!"

8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin,  we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects.   Still, a few fireflies followed us in.  Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa.  Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure."  "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised  "Mine says I'm 4 to 6."

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what?  We learned how to make babies today."  The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting." she said.  "How do you make babies?" 
"It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote:  "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant."   The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.
"Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."

12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past.  Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog.  The children started discussing the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one child.
"No," said another. "He's just for good luck."
A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived.  "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her.  Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

14. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth!  He teaches me good  things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over,  you  hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

Difficult Times in Extension

Secretarial layoffs and bumping are in progress. It appears that many offices will no longer be open full time. The situation changes each day. As one individual makes a decision, it changes the options for another.

On Friday, May 13 most Community Workers received notice that their job was ending June 30th. They may re-apply to work as Program Assistants or Program Coordinators. The Community Worker position will be terminated. Many are not sure that the new assignments can be completed in time to handle 4-H Fairs in July. It may be a hectic summer!

We are hearing that some local funding is in jeopardy until County Boards learn for sure what is happening with their local office. State funds are not definite either, though some positive progress has been made. Hang in there everyone!

Legislative Update--Today!

Legislative Update - May 13, 2011

Both the House and Senate passed their versions of the Department of Agriculture's budget today.  The numbers follow. 

Remember you can view these bills and amendments at the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov.  Enter the bill number and then click on "full text" at the top of the page and then the amendment number. 

The numbers - House Version - House Bill 124 (HB124) House Amendment #1

The numbers - Senate Version - Senate Bill 2408 (SB2408) Senate Amendment #6

County Board Match

Governor's Proposed Level - $10,800,000 

House Version - $10,800,000  

Senate Version - $10,000,000

Youth Educator

Governor's Proposed Level - $1,047,100  

House Version - $994,700    

Senate Version - $1,047,100

Cook County Initiative 

Governor's Proposed Level - $2,893,900  

House Version - $2,749,200    

Senate Version - $0 

These are the numbers that the House and Senate will be taking in to the budget negotiations.  We supported the House version today when it came up for vote.

Continue to carry the message to your legislators, especially the Senators!  

We can't slow down now.  Call or email Jeanne or me if you have questions or need help.

Have a great weekend, and don't miss any opportunities to contact your legislators.

Pam Weber

pweber221@aol.com

Condolences to Mary Turner

We have received information via Amy Griswold and Shirley Camp that Mary Turner's daughter, Alicia, was killed in an auto accident in Texas on Sunday. Mary was on her way to the airport to fly down for Mother's Day when the news came. The services will be in Texas, and there will be a memorial service in Roseville at a later date.

Mary was the Home Economics Extension Adviser in Warren County at Monmouth several years ago.

Shirley indicated that Mary's husband died a few years ago, and Alicia was her only child. We are very sorry to hear this sad news!

Update from Extension Partners

Here is the latest information released this week. Send a note to ieafcslife@gmail.com if you want a copy of the fact sheet.

Legislative Update - May 11, 2011

Just a Reminder.........

Again the rumor is out there that Extension Partners and/or I have been directly involved in the decisions regarding the Extension reorganization.  So we will clearly state again that neither Extension Partners or I were involved in any way with the decisions regarding reorganization.  Nor did Extension Partners or I endorse or take any other position on the reorg.  Extension Partners continues in their mission to secure funding for Extension Programming, and especially for local Extension Programs.

Funding Alternative.........

A casino proposal supported by a coalition of downstate legislators - Democrats and Republicans - is gaining momentum.  Line items in the Department of Ag's budget would benefit if the casino legislation is passed.  Extension County Board Match line would appear to be a beneficiary to the tune of a couple million dollars. There is NO BILL NUMBER at this time, but we will let you know as soon as the proposed legislation takes form.  At that time we will provide you a list of legislator names to contact for their support.

ACTION PLAN 

1. Attached find the first 2011 "Did You Know" fact sheet.

2.  Use the back side of the sheet to create your local "Did You Know" sheet.  Did you know there are xxxxx number of 4-H clubs in xxxx county?  I'm sure you will come up with lots of great ideas.

3.  Visit your local Legislator's office and County Board offices to drop off the information.  If you can't drop it off, fax it, or scan and email.  I will be dropping the sheet off at all the legislators' Springfield offices.(The documents were created in Word so you should be able to manipulate them to suit your needs and email the files directly. In my experience, however, fax is more effective.J.H.)

Time frames.........

The House is hoping to have all of their budget bills passed out of committees by the end of this week. Then the process of the Senate and House trying to reach an agreement on a budget begins.  The rumor is that Speaker Madigan would like to have a budget agreement by May 20/21st. so they can move on to the district remap issue.  The deadline may be wishful thinking, and rumors are surfacing about overtime session......!

Next week is crucial.........perfect timing for 4-H Legislative Connection!  Join 4-Hers and volunteers at the Capitol May 17, 18, & 19.  Contact your local Extension office for details

Keep the calls, letters and visits going!

Thank you so much for all your work!

Pam Weber

 

PS from Jeanne: If you are receiving this update indirectly, that's great. But if you are not already a member of Extension Partners, please consider joining us. Annual dues are just $35 for individuals and can be mailed to Extension Partners, PO Box 5531, Bloomington, IL 61702-5531. Thanks for your support and interest!

Report from Board Meeting

Your association board met by telenet May 5th. There are 23 paid members this year. We do have DSA and Continued Excellence winners!

Re-organization is progressing with movement set to begin in a couple of weeks related to civil service staff. Lots of things will be happening between now and July 1st. More of our friends and co-workers will be leaving as well. It appears that some county offices will only be open part time.

The threat of having funds cut from the state budget is a big concern. There are still many unknowns. County match for Extension came through last year at 80%. However, there was a 16% cut from the campus side. The explanation was that all entities at the U of I which did not generate tuition received this cut. My notes say the loss was 7.6 million to Extension. I'm not sure if this was just from the 16% or a total dollar amount.

JCEP dates have been changed to October 20-21. Hold them on your calendar if you think you may attend. Note that October 21st is also the date for Extension Retirees to meet at Giant City in southern Illinois.

 NEAFCS had agreed to allow the cookbooks to be purchased for $15.00 each plus $1.00 shipping and tax if applicable. This is for a case of 10.

The hotel is filling up fast for Albuquerque. If you intend to get a room, do that soon. Dates are Sept. 26-30.

Discussion is on-going about the way IEAFCS will be organized with the new three-region structure. The role of life members is also being considered. Concerns about the low number of Family and Consumer Science subject matter staff are still being expressed.

Urgent Budget Message from Extension Partners!

DRASTIC CUTS PROPOSED IN SENATE!

Extension Board, Members and Friends:

Last night the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committees I and II heard bills, that if passed, would cut deeply in to all segments of State government.

Many programs were simply "zeroed out", gone, deleted!   Unfortunately, Extension line items were included in this cutting frenzy.

THIS IS THE FIRST VOLLEY.  The gamesmanship this year has started. Some think the Dems are responding to the Repubs with, "You want cuts? We'll give you cuts!"  I think we all know that no one will be spared in the effort to save Illinois from bankruptcy, but the cuts to Extension are excessive.  We need to campaign to save the line items for Extension in the Department of Agriculture's budget. 

THE NUMBERS

Senate Bill 2408 - Senate Amendments #1 and #2

COUNTY BOARD MATCH - Zeroed Out - no funding 

COOK COUNTY MONEY - Zeroed Out - no funding

The rumor is that Speaker Madigan wants to finalize the budget by May 21st so that the General Assembly can focus of the remap of the legislative districts.   The House Approp Committees are scheduled to meet later today, and it is suspected their cuts will be even more drastic than those of the Senate. 

WE HAVE NO TIME TO HESITATE!

Monday May 9th is the final weekday that legislators supposedly will be in their district offices.

ACTION PLAN

1.  Reach out and share this information with everyone who uses Extension services; especially make sure your County Board knows what is going on.

2.  Activate phone trees.

3.  Make personal visits when possible.

4.  Let your legislators, both Senate and House members, know the impact on Extension programming in their Districts.

We have our work cut out for us and time is short. 

 GOOD LUCK......let's GO!

Pam

 

Note: There was also a budget fact sheet attached to this e-mail. If you would like a copy, send your request to ieafcslife@gmail.com

 

Retirement Celebration Planned

There will be a retirement celebration for Kathy Reuter, Jim Schuster, and Gonzalo Escobar in Countryside, IL on June 9th. It is set for 3:30-6:00 p.m. at 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside IL, 60525.

If you would like to contribute toward a retirement gift, please make a check payable to Lynnette Mensah at the address above. Include a note as to how your contribution is to be allocated among the three retirees.

A basket will be available for pictures, cards, stories, or anything else you would like to share. Cards can be mailed to the Countryside office address listed above, or e-mail correspondence can be sent to Lynette Mensah at lmensah@illinois.edu. RSVP if you plan to attend by calling 708-352-0109.

Kathy has 33 years of service to Extension, Jim has 41, and Gonazalo has 28. Best wishes to all!

Winter Farm had Considerable Storm Damage

Martha Winter's husband, Dennis, and his family had three barns damaged in a recent tornado. This barn had a brand new piece of equipment in it, but luckily it was not torn up.

They have also had cattle swimming in their pastures. What a mess!

We feel for all who have been impacted by the storms and floods.


And a brief update on Mike Gray--he was to come home from the hospital on Sunday, and is doing OK. He ended up having five heart by-passes instead of three!