State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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[ Engrossed ][ House Amendment 001 ]


92_HB3319

 
                                              LRB9207082TAtmA

 1        AN  ACT  to  create the Rural Illinois Technology Program
 2    Act.

 3        Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 4    represented in the General Assembly:

 5        Section  1.   Short  title.  This Act may be cited as the
 6    Rural Illinois Technology Program Act.

 7        Section 5.  Policy. It  is  necessary  and  desirable  to
 8    provide  technical  assistance, planning support, and funding
 9    in the form of grants to encourage  technology  planning  and
10    development  in  rural  communities.  It is also necessary to
11    provide funding in the form of grants  to  rural  communities
12    for  business  development,  social services development, and
13    medical  support  systems   technology   to   promote   rural
14    economies.

15        Section 10.  Definitions.  In this Act:
16        "Committee"  means  a  local  committee established under
17    this Act.
18        "Institute "  means  the  Illinois  Institute  for  Rural
19    Affairs at Western Illinois University.
20        "Program"   means   the  Rural  Illinois  Technology  and
21    Innovations Program.
22        "Technology  Plan"  means  an  integrated  document  that
23    includes goals,  policies,  strategies,  and  procedures  for
24    developing   business,   social  services,  and  telemedicine
25    networks and medical support  systems    and  is  adopted  as
26    provided in Section 30 of this Act.

27        Section  15.   The  Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.
28    The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western  Illinois
29    University,  in conjunction with the Governor's Rural Affairs
 
                            -2-               LRB9207082TAtmA
 1    Council  and  the  Governor's  Office  of  Technology,  shall
 2    administer the Program under this Act. The  Governor's  Rural
 3    Affairs  Council and the Governor's Office of Technology must
 4    each furnish technical support to the Institute.
 5        The Institute must submit a report to the  Rural  Affairs
 6    Council  by  January  1,  2003  and  every 2 years thereafter
 7    regarding progress made towards accomplishing the purposes of
 8    this Act.

 9        Section 20.  Rural Illinois  Technology  and  Innovations
10    Program.   The  Rural  Illinois  Technology  and  Innovations
11    Program  is  created.   The  Institute  shall  determine  the
12    eligibility of rural community partnerships for funding under
13    the  Program  with  the assistance of a Representative of the
14    Governor's Rural Affairs Council.  The purpose of the Program
15    is to  provide  grants  and  technical  assistance  to  rural
16    communities   to   (i)  inventory  their  technology,  social
17    services, telemedicine and distance  learning  networks,  and
18    technological  resources;  (ii) develop Technology Plans; and
19    (iii) create new strategies for and promote  the  development
20    of  advanced  technology  in  business,  social services, and
21    medical support systems in rural communities.
22        In addition  to  awarding  grants  under  this  Act,  the
23    Program shall:
24             (1)  Work  with  the  Mapping  the  Future  of  your
25        Community  Program  at  Western  Illinois University, and
26        with the Cooperative Extension Service at the  University
27        of  Illinois, to provide rural communities with technical
28        assistance  and  planning  support  needed   to   develop
29        Technology Plans under this Act.
30             (2)  Assist  rural business and economic leaders who
31        have innovative strategies for the use of  technology  to
32        promote  the  development  of new high-tech businesses in
33        their communities.
 
                            -3-               LRB9207082TAtmA
 1             (3)  Work with private sector organizations  on  the
 2        development   of  new  strategies  for  the  delivery  of
 3        services in rural communities.
 4             (4)  Work with the Center for  Rural  Health  within
 5        the  Illinois  Department of Public Health and with rural
 6        hospitals and clinics to create  new  strategies  in  the
 7        development   of   telemedicine   and  distance  learning
 8        networks for rural communities.
 9             (5)  Obtain additional State and federal funding and
10        resources to equip rural hospitals and clinics  with  new
11        technology, including the development of telemedicine and
12        distance learning networks.
13             (6)  Expand  the Program as necessary to promote the
14        objectives of this Act.
15        The Institute, in conjunction with the  Governor's  Rural
16    Affairs  Council  and  the  Governor's  Office of Technology,
17    shall coordinate and  administer  these  and  any  additional
18    aspects of the Program.

19        Section   25.   Local  committees.   A  local  committee,
20    consisting of local community  leaders,  shall  work  with  a
21    professional  planner or other technology resource specialist
22    to develop criteria for  prioritizing  technology  needs  and
23    resources.  When prioritizing technology needs and resources,
24    the committee shall analyze the specific needs for technology
25    in   business  and  business  development,  social  services,
26    telemedicine and  distance  learning  networks,  and  medical
27    support  systems.  The  committee  shall  recommend  that the
28    county, municipality, regional board, or other unit of  local
29    government adopt a Technology Plan.

30        Section  30.   Funding.  Subject  to  appropriation,  the
31    Institute  shall  award grants and attempt to apportion funds
32    evenly between the goals of business  development,  promotion
 
                            -4-               LRB9207082TAtmA
 1    of  social services, and development of telemedicine networks
 2    and medical support systems.

 3        Section 35.  Rules.  The Institute, in conjunction with a
 4    representative of the Governor's Rural Affairs  Council,  may
 5    adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.

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