In July of 2001, researchers at the Ohio State University released results of a nationwide survey of county officials. Among the problems revealed by the survey, fiscal stress was rated a problem by two-thirds of the respondents. Governments of 38% of rural counties, 31% of adjacent counties, and 24% of metropolitan counties reported reduction of federal revenues as a very important problem. Stress caused by declining state aid was even higher – ranging from 48% for rural counties to 38% for metropolitan counties. It's important to note that this survey was conducted well before the events of September 11 and the economic downturn that has been related to those tragic events.

Grant-seeking capacity is much lower in non-metropolitan counties as compared to metropolitan counties (24% of rural counties but 51% of metropolitan counties have a grant writer on staff).

In a related finding, the survey revealed that economic development activities are engaged in by a majority of county governments, (but 61 % of metropolitan counties have economic development professionals on staff, while only 31 % of rural governments and 39% of counties adjacent to metropolitan counties have professional economic development staff).

So, what does this mean for Illinois counties? Discussions with Illinois experts in local government finance validate these findings. Many Illinois governments are facing budget shortfalls and declining revenues, in a period where higher levels of social services may be required. How will

we provide a safety net for families that fall victim to layoffs and cutbacks?

How will we fund basic services with declining revenues? How will we support increased security and safety regulations? Local officials are being called on to make difficult decisions and chart new directions for funding services for their constituents.

The survey, "Changes and Challenges in the New Millennium", was conducted by researchers from the Ohio State University and Colorado State University; in cooperation with the National Association of Counties and the Rural Policy Research Institute.

- Jeri Marxman, Extension Specialist in Public Policy

What do first-time visitors see when they visit your community? The Community Swap program allows a community to "swap" information and perceptions with another community. Teams of visitors "swap" communities for a daylong visit, where they pose as tourists, prospective business owners, relocating families or out-of-town shoppers. The teams visit downtowns, business districts, community entrances, neighborhoods, parks and other public places. Each team later shares its objective impressions of the host community, describing the features that were most attractive and offering suggestions for improvement. The visiting community shares this information through a written report and color slides presented at a town meeting. University of Illinois Extension Educators supplement the visitors' report with an economic profile of the community.

More than 150 Illinois communities and thousands of community leaders and residents have participated in the Community Swap program since 1993. Approximately 6-9 months after the community's town meeting, Extension Educators or Unit Leaders survey the community regarding changes made as a result of the "Community Swap" Program.

The key to success is community ownership and involvement. While the primary benefit of the "Swap" is to gain an outsider's perception to the community, the process helps community leaders and citizens to set an agenda for action, enhanced by new ideas and a fresh perspective. The community members then work together to make a difference for their community.

Various community partners can initiate the Community Swap process. Some of the collaborators have included city councils, Chambers of Commerce, city planners, economic development organizations, and educational institutions.

Illinois Community Swap Committee:

Patrick Curry, Springfield Extension Center; Sandra Davis, Rockford Extension Center; Rachelle Hollinshead, Effingham Extension Center; Darlene Knipe, Quad Cities Extension Center; Ruby Lingle, Springfield Extension Center; Anne Silvis, Laboratory for Community and Economic Development, University of Illinios.

http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~lced/main.html

Laboratory for Community and Economic Development at the University of Illinois

http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~lced/toolbox/

Community development toolbox at the University of Illinois

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

USDA Rural Development page

http://www.rupri.org/circ/index.html

Community Informatics Resource Center

http://www.goshen.edu/soan/soan96cd.htm

Lists many links to community development sites on the internet.

The University of Illinois and its Extension do not promote or embrace the views of any of the mentioned websites, they are given as a point for the reader to explore the issue.

- Amy L.H. Heilveil