Rauner to Release Soil Conservation Funding

Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration is set to release $5 million to fund the state's soil and water conservation districts for the fiscal year that ends June 30. The money is much less than the $13.5 million which lawmakers appropriated for the 96 county-based offices. But Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold said the Republican governor is trying to manage spending because the budget the Legislature adopted has a deficit. Soil and water conservation districts date to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. They assist farmers in preventing soil erosion and maintaining water quality. Alan Bailey is chairman of the Sangamon County district. He says the agency's share of the state disbursement will go toward salaries for two full-time and two contractual employees.