Windhorst Bill Creates Task Force to Study Rural Development

Springfield….State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) continued his efforts to find ways to grow jobs and improve the economy of Southern Illinois on Tuesday. Windhorst’s 118th district is home to several counties that continuously struggle with some of the highest unemployment rates in the State.

Windhorst says his Resolution (HJR 37) creates a Task Force on Rural Development to study how best to revitalize the Southern Illinois economy.

“HJR 37 creates a task force to study the conditions, needs, issues, and problems in the agriculture industry and evaluate any action or legislation that may be necessary to promote economic development in the rural areas of the State,” Windhorst said. “In the end, I want this task force to make findings that will help make a positive impact on the economies of our rural communities so that our citizens can be better served.”

Appointments to the Rural Development Task Force will made by both the House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders. Additional members of the task force are to be appointed by the Governor, the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

“I am proud to have earned the unanimous support of my colleagues in the House in passing this important economic development legislation,” Windhorst said.  “My hope is to bring awareness and solutions to the economic issues facing our rural communities and the citizens that live in smaller towns in rural Illinois. Southern Illinois needs to be looking to the future at how we can grow jobs and stop people from moving out of our state.”

####