Local governments across the United States and Illinois, especially in recent years, have come to realize the importance of reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters — flooding, snow/ice storms, earthquakes, etc.

Disasters, by their very nature, are highly unpredictable. Yet while it is rarely possible for local governments to predict when and where a disaster may occur, it is possible for entities to engage in comprehensive awareness planning. Consequently, a commitment to adequate disaster response mechanisms is essential for building hazard resilient communities.

On February 26th, the Local Government Information and Education Network will offer a tele-institute session focusing specifically on disaster awareness for local governments. Experts from entities including University of Illinois Extension and University of Illinois Department of Urban and Regional Planning will present practical expertise, research and local case study examples pertaining to disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The session will seek to inform local government entities about the importance of long-range mitigation planning, rooted in efforts to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of emergency situations and natural (as well as technological) hazards.

Commitment to a well planned emergency management process is essential for local governments to optimally meet the challenges communities face when disasters take place. Understanding emergency management components is key for local governments in planning for unexpected disasters, natural or otherwise.

- Michelle Norris Community & Economic Development Educator Champaign Extension Center

• A total of 37 people have died from outdoor exposure to cold temperatures in the state of Illinois since 1997. More than severe thunderstorms or tornados (25), floods (14) and lightning (12) during the same period.
• Illinois normally experiences five severe winter storms each year. However, during 2007-2008, there were 16 severe winter storms, five of which impacted one third or more of the state.
• On average, locations from just south of Quincy, through London to Watseka, experience more freezing rain and ice storms than any other part of the state.
• Average annual snowfall ranges from nearly 39 inches of snow in Rockford and Chicago, to as little as 10 to 15 inches of snow in the southern tip of Illinois.
• The coldest temperature on record in the state occurred on January 5, 1999 when the mercury dipped to –36 F below near Congerville in Woodford County.
• The greatest snowfall on record for a single storm occurred near Astoria in western Illinois, where 37.8 inches was measured February 27-28, 1900.

SOURCE: Illinois Emergency Management Agency

Two years ago, through University of Illinois Extension's partnership with the Illinois Municipal League, Township Officials of Illinois, and the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners, an initiative was developed to recognize the contributions of local governments to our daily lives.

With this initiative, the Illinois General Assembly proclaimed the first full week in March each year as "Local Government Week" to help Illinois residents understand the role that local government plays in our individual lives and communities.

This year Local Government Week will be March 1-7, 2009. The theme is Communities Count with the emphasis being on preparing citizens and communities about the importance of taking an active role and being counted in the 2010 census.

How can Local Governments Prepare for the 2010 Census? Here are a few suggestions:

• Recruit census workers.
• Display and distribute census materials.
• Provide space for testing and training census employees.
• Sponsor community events to promote the census.
• Include information about the census in newsletters and mailings.
• Local governments can participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses program (LUCA)
  http://www.census.gov.

The Timeline of Activities the Census Bureau has laid out are as follows:

Spring 2009—Census employees go door-to-door to update address list nationwide.
Fall 2009—Recruitment begins for census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.
February-March 2010—Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
April 1, 2010—Census Day
April—July 2010—Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
December 2010—By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
March 2011—By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.

In addition, Local Government Week will also be celebrated in the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield on Tuesday, March 3 with exhibits showcasing local governments' services. Join us by highlighting your local government and network with other local governments, state agencies, and legislators.

Contact Jessica (Van Tine) Wandless at tinevan@illinois.edu for more details. We hope to see you on March 3 in Springfield!

- Jessica (Van Tine) Wandless, Local Government Information & Education Network (LGIEN) Program Coordinator