Attention Crafters and Vendors

This year, on June 24-26th, the City of Lanark, Illinois will be celebrating its Sesquicentennial. Many events are being planned and we would like to have vendors join us to peddle their wares.

Spaces available will be 12x12 and will be located around our city park as well as an off street location within the celebration area. Fees are $10 a day (Fri. Sat. or Sun.) or $25 for the entire weekend. The hours are tentatively set for 2-7pm on Friday, 9-6 on Saturday and 9-5 Sunday.

There are many activities are being planned throughout the weekend and attendance is expected to be high. Other activities include a Garden walk, Antique car show, Community Church service, 5k and 10k Run, Parade, Carnival, just to name a few.

If you are interested in attending please contact me at or email at and get an informational pack with registration form.

Looking forward to including you in our big celebration!

Jo Lyn Kruse

Sesquicentennial Committee

Lanark, IL

Statistics Can Be Misleading

Richard O’Connor interprets data according to his own prejudices. Quoting only the statistic that children living “with two married biological parents had the lowest rate of overall harm,” he concludes that “marriage is a protective factor in and of itself.”

However, he neglects to point out the relationship between single parenthood and poverty. According to the US Census Bureau, 69% of children raised by never-married mothers live in or near poverty. If these children have problems, are those problems the result of single-parenting or the result of living in poverty? Since statistics also show that children of poor and/or uneducated parents do less well than children of educated, middle class parents, whether married or single, one might conclude that poverty and lack of education might be more important factors.

According to the Third National Incidence Study: “Poverty is significantly related to incidence rates in nearly every category of maltreatment. Compared to children whose families earned $30,000 or more, children in families with annual incomes below $15,000 were:

More than 22 times more likely to experience maltreatment under the Harm Standard and 25 times more likely under the Endangerment Standard.

More than 44 times more likely to be neglected, by either definitional standard.

Over 22 times more likely to be seriously injured using either definitional standard.

60 times more likely to die from maltreatment under the Harm Standard.”

Despite O’Connor’s assertion, if you are a white, middle class child, whether you are raised by two biological parents, one or two adoptive parents, a single parent, or a gay couple, you will very likely do fine.

Bashing single and gay parents only stigmatizes their children and helps create problems for them that might never have existed. What we need to do in this country is to worry less about who corresponds to our religious viewpoints and work harder to solve the problems created by poverty and racism.

Pat Wemstrom

Mount Carroll

‘Tis the Season for Agriculture, Baseball and Mother Nature

USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency

What do agriculture, baseball and Mother Nature have in common? Any farmer or rancher will tell you, without hesitation, that in the competitive industry that is agriculture, Mother Nature ALWAYS bats cleanup and nine times out of 10, she bats for the opposition - she’ll make or break you every time.

To date, crop year 2011 has been exceptionally tough for our farmers and ranchers. That which isn’t drying up from drought, burning up in wildfires or blowing away in tornadoes is being swept downstream by torrential flooding. It’s an unfortunate reality that somewhere in the U.S., this very minute, a farmer or rancher is battling the elements - and as most agricultural producer know all too well… you win some and you lose some. So what happens when you lose?

Prior to the 2008 farm bill, a row crop or livestock producer was at the mercy of lawmakers to approve ad hoc funding for emergency disaster assistance. It literally took an act of Congress for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to get much-needed recovery assistance to producers impacted by natural disasters. The process was tedious, time-consuming and budget dependent.

Fast forward to the 2008 when Congress passed legislation providing for five “permanent” disaster assistance programs - the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (SURE), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) are all administered by FSA.

So, how “permanent” is permanent? The truth is; these disaster assistance programs are only “permanent” for the life of the 2008 farm bill. As of September 30, 2011, the legislative authority for these five programs expires and they will, in essence, cease to exist.

What does this mean to you, the producer?

It means that, although we hope a farmer or rancher never requires disaster assistance, no industry is more vulnerable to nature’s wrath than agriculture and the odds are, if you’re in the industry very long, you will indeed experience your fair share of setbacks - compliments of Mother Nature. Permanent disaster legislation offers producers some peace of mind that, in time of need, FSA can be immediately responsive.

To date, row crop and livestock producers nationwide have received more than $2.9 billion in assistance from FSA for qualifying losses resulting from natural disaster. These dollars are, in turn, pumped back into the rural economy as producers purchase inputs; hire contractors or procure whatever is necessary to get back on their feet and back to the business of farming and ranching.

There’s no doubt that, as Congress begins to craft the next farm bill, disaster programs will be a significant topic of discussion. The weather events of 2011 will be in the forefront of the minds of lawmakers as they gather ‘round the table to hash out future farm legislation.

The faster a producer recovers from a natural disaster, the better for everyone - including the consumer who can continue to enjoy the abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber that we, as Americans, have come to expect.

So, when it’s bottom of the ninth, Mother Nature steps up to the plate with bases loaded and she knocks one out of the park, make sure disaster assistance legislation is in place to level the playing field. And, never forget… USDA’s Farm Service Agency is always on YOUR team.

Respectfully submitted,

Scherrie V. Giamanco

State Executive Director

Illinois Farm Service Agency

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

May 31st – The last day of session. Speaker Madigan gave us a heads up the previous evening to expect a long day. His comments came late at night after dealing with a long day of “steamers”. Steamers are those controversial bills we’ve been hearing about all session, as lobbyists worked the hallways trying to solicit our support or opposition.

I am amazed that these bills are being heard on Memorial Day. Many of us had obligations back in the district. I flew back to Milledgeville to speak at their Memorial Service, which is held each year with Chadwick. As I drove into the driveway, I received a call from the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer wanting me to come down and see him. My response, “Jerry, I’m in Milledgeville”. “Jim, where is Milledgeville?” My response, “right next to Chadwick”. I did not further explain.

Following my comments to the gathering honoring those who have given so much, and remembering those giving their “last full measure”, I found pride in mentally visioning the Governor and his deputy looking over a map of Northwest Illinois attempting to find Milledgeville and Chadwick and I shared that with the audience – We’re up here Governor, come see us. Upon arriving back in Springfield and immersing myself, the steamers started rolling.

SB 744 – Omnibus Gaming Legislation – yes, it’s a significant increase in gambling including a casino for Rockford and putting slot machines at our race tracks. A huge portion of the revenue received is designated to issues including soil and water, county fairs, cooperative extension, state historic sites, parks, conservation, and forestry. It passed with sixty five yes votes. I supported it. The senate passed the house version with thirty one yes votes. I expect the Governor to change it somewhat with an amendatory veto. I do not expect a complete veto.

The Dream Act is SB 2185. I’ll cut to the chase. It provides scholarship money to non-documented immigrants, yes illegals, that have a social security number or a taxpayer identification number. No state money is included in the bill. It does provide scholarships from private funding sources. It passed with sixty one votes. I opposed the bill. Don’t forget 117 others have the same choices to make that I do.

The hugest steamer is Workers Compensation Reform HB 1698, which we voted on late in the day, May 31. As we approached the last hour of before we adjourned and stepped into June, the bill passed with sixty two of the necessary sixty votes needed. This reform will be lauded as a great feat. Simply put, it stunk. What we’ve worked all session to address is causation. In other words, was the person actually injured on the job? It wasn’t even addressed. Sometimes we have to settle for baby steps.

Pension reform will continue to have working groups throughout the summer. We’ll see it in veto session in October.

All things considered, it was a great session. 118 of us, all with very different thought processes, came together to create a sustainable budget spending no more money than what is available. The senate and the Governor would like to spend more. It is now in “conference committee”. Stay tuned!