Task Force Recommendations Nearly Ready!!

Please join other local farm and food advocates at the Illinois General Assembly for a press conference and citizen action day on Wednesday, March 4, in Springfield at the Capitol.

The Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force has been meeting since January 2008. Created by the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2007, the Task Force was charged with assembling a strategic plan that supports and expands an Illinois-based farm and food system.

The Task Force has completed its Report and is releasing it to the public during a press conference in the Blue Room (Press Room) at the State Capitol, Wednesday, March 4 at 11:00 am. State Rep. Julie Hamos will be entering a bill reflecting those recommendations and will be speaking at the press conference, along with other legislators, government officials, and local farm and food advocates. We invite you to join the Task Force, legislative sponsors, government officials, media, and other citizens from across the state at the public release of the Report and to talk to legislators after the event. Below are details of the event itself as well as details of statewide conference calls discussing this effort.

Task Force Report and recommendations

Join the Illinois Local Food and Farms Coalition conference call. This will be the first public discussion of the report recommendations and the new legislation. Many are already on the Coalition list-serv and have been on these calls in the past. This call will reach key people all over the state. Call 800/377-8846 504 332 17# 2.

Citizen action day training

March 3 (Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:30 AM)

Join the Coalition conference call to learn how to educate legislators on the issues. Jim Braun will review talking points for the legislation and share the most effective methods for talking to your legislators. Call: 800/377-8846 504 332 17# 3.

The BIG event.

Press conference and lobby day.

March 4 (Wednesday, 11:00 - 5:00)

11:00 AM - 12:00 noon: Press conference

Speeches, questions by the media State Capitol Press Room (Blue Room), West Mezzanine (between 2nd and 3rd floor) Ask at Main Desk in Rotunda for directions to appropriate elevator.

12:30 Visit legislators

Talk to your legislators, ask them to be a sponsor of the bill.

4:00 Debriefing in Rathskeller (basement of Capitol).

[Photo caption: Jim Braun (suit) and Debbie Hillman (pink blouse) at the Carbondale Farmers' Market when they visited Southern Illinois to learn more about the regions local and ecological food system. They are talking to legendary local grower Steve Smith (with back to camera).]