By Carbondale Reporter |
Oct 22, 2024
This year, the Illinois Department of Agriculture experienced a significant reduction in its budget, impacting the state's 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The budget cut, nearly $4 million, represents about a 50% decrease in funding for programs essential to protecting and managing natural resources in Illinois. This financial setback could result in an estimated $50 million loss in potential federal funds due to insufficient infrastructure to leverage those dollars.