More Details on Ag Extension Closings - WJBD

The University of Illinois Extension program will close up to 12 offices including the education centers in Mt. Vernon and Effingham later this year, and cut 46 position as a result of cuts in state funding. Extension Spokesperson Gary Beaumont fewer than 46 people will actually lose their jobs. "In anticipation of this restructuring we held some position open and extension employees qualilfy for the early separation program by the University," Beaumont said. Extension Centers in Carbondale, Matteson and McComb will close along with Mt. Vernon and Effingham at the end of June. Quad-Cities, Rockford, Countryside, East-Peoria, Springfield, Champaign and Edwardsville centers will close when their leases expire. Beaumont says Extension programming will still be available for every county in the state, run out of 30 county offices. Each of the offices will serve a three to five county region.