Extension Council

The Extension Council is authorized by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, in accordance with state law, to be actively involved in the operation of University of Illinois Extension.  Extension Councils cooperate with Extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, evaluating, and financing an Extension program designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities served.

Some responsibilities of Council Members include:

• Assess community needs
• Serve as a communication channel between the community and the Extension offices
• Identify and utilize community leaders
• Help ensure broad-based programs are available

The Extension Council shall permit non-members to appear before and address members of the Extension Council during the designated Public Comments section, and the following rules apply: 

• There shall be a total maximum of 15 minutes allotted during each Extension Council meeting for appearances by all non-members.
• All requests by non-members for appearance before the Extension Council shall be made prior to the meeting at which the non-member wishes to 
  appear, within the time periods set forth in.
• Such requests shall be submitted to the County Director, in writing or by e-mail, identifying the subject matter to be addressed.
• Requests to appear shall be submitted prior to 4:30 p.m. on the Friday before Extension Council meetings, at which the non-member wishes to appear.
• Appearances by non-members with regard to any particular topic, including any topic on the agenda, shall be limited to a time not to exceed three minutes for each individual.
• Non-members who have properly submitted requests to appear shall appear in the order of the receipt of their requests.
• Extension Council members may not engage in discussion with, address, or ask questions of nonmembers during the time allowed for non-member appearances.
• The Chair may act to prevent repetition or digression, to maintain decorum, and to exclude discussion of matters which have had a previous public hearing conducted according to law, discussion of matters where public comment would interfere with the due process of law, or discussion of matters which would be in direct conflict with restrictions placed upon the Council by other applicable law.