"The Governor has arbitrarily cut millions in agriculture programs, such as 4-H, that help educate urban and rural kids alike," Hynes said following a meeting with officials from the Winnebago County Extension Service. "It's clearly a case of misplaced priorities. These programs are vital to communities throughout Illinois. His actions are wrongheaded."

Hynes said he would return to Springfield to fight for 4-H funding.

The Governor is withholding FY2008 funding approved by the Legislature for a number of programs, including the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service. The extension programs, slated to receive $18 million in state funds this fiscal year, provide education to more than 2.5 million Illinoisans, including nearly 300,000 who participate in 4-H youth programs.

These threatened program cuts will result in eliminations of staff and programs and office closures around the state. The Governor has said he is withholding the funding to help plug a budgetary hole. However, many believe the Governor is using these popular programs to try to force the Legislature into agreeing to his initiatives.

"I urge the Governor to immediately release these promised funds so the programs can continue as planned," Hynes said.