Vol. 12, No. 2 August 2013 policyprofiles

The workforce in rural Center for Governmental Studies Northern Illinois University Illinois has grown at a rate less than half that of other midwestern states and it is issue: Workforce Status in Downstate Illinois projected to shrink through by Andy Blanke and Norman Walzer 2030

Although it faces the same Editor’s Note: As Illinois struggles with myriad economic problems—high unemployment, demographic changes, high taxes, severe underfunding of state pension funds, millions of dollars in unpaid state rural Illinois is expected bills, and relentless competition nationally and regionally for new business development— to experience a higher rate the status of the state’s workforce demands close scrutiny. Plans for strengthening Illinois’ of population decline than economy cannot succeed if the state’s workforce is not capable of competing in the evolving other midwestern states national business climate. This Policy Profiles, another in the series of Profiles dealing between now and 2030 with the economic health of rural Illinois, offers an important perspective on the status of the workforce in Illinois counties outside of metropolitan Chicago. Immigration to rural Illinois will not stop the decline in the area’s working-age population Illinois’s efforts to recover from the national recession may be hindered by a business vicious cycle: workers may avoid living in states with high unemployment rates, and businesses Even in rural areas of high may avoid states where they will have trouble finding suitable employees. unemployment, many jobs remain unfilled because Illinois is already at a competitive disadvantage: its unemployment rate (9.3%) is higher of a shortage of applicants than in neighboring states such as Iowa (4.7 percent) or Minnesota (5.3 percent),1 and qualified in advanced there is still concern about the size of Illinois’ workforce in the future as the baby boom manufacturing techniques population retires. Adding to this concern is the resurgence in manufacturing and increased use of advanced manufacturing techniques that are increasing the level of skills sought by Promising models for growing businesses in job applicants. workforce development programs could be more To attract industry, Illinois must have a competitive business climate as well as highly widely utilized in Illinois qualified workers in sufficient numbers to meet industry demands. If Illinois’ population shrinks during the next two decades, it will have to compete for both workers and businesses. Community colleges can play a major role in In rural Illinois, the job outlook is especially bleak: the growing wage gap between metro providing education and and non-metro areas will likely increase the outmigration from rural areas to the cities, training programs targeted further aggravating the on-going population declines in remote areas. to local needs, but many rural Illinois colleges will Illinois’ workforce concerns are pressuring the state’s business leaders, educational need financial help to personnel, and policymakers to find ways to upgrade the skills of students and workers respond to this challenge displaced during the recent recession. A major movement involving community colleges, trade schools, and business leaders is seeking ways to link industry needs and educational Private-public partnerships offerings to help meet job vacancies. But the problem persists and more attention is needed. may be rural Illinois’ best hope for rebuilding the prosperity of many counties and regions in Illinois Center for Governmental Studies 2 Northern Illinois University policyprofiles

How severe is Illinois’ workforce Woods & Poole Economics forecasts that rural Illinois counties grew at less than half problem? this age cohort will become a smaller the rate of rural counties elsewhere in the A previous issue of Policy Profiles and percentage of the total population in the Midwest (4.7 percent versus 12.2 percent).8 a Rural Research Report2 documented next 20 years.5 In fact, the 20 to 59 year-olds The slower growth in rural Illinois’ labor population decreases in Illinois between are forecast to represent less than half the force resulted from slower total population 2000 and 2010, especially in working- total population in both rural Illinois and in growth as discussed earlier. age population cohorts. This population the overall midwest in 2030. The projected decrease was consistent with decreases decrease in percentage of population In short, rural Illinois is predicted to in employment as Illinois lost jobs in between 20 and 59 is consistent with the experience a higher rate of population most industries at a faster rate than expected decreases in total population decline than rural areas in other midwestern in neighboring states, suggesting that in this cohort. Rural Illinois will have a states between now and 2030. individuals may have left Illinois in search smaller working-age population in both of employment opportunities. This issue relative and absolute terms because of How will the core workforce groups of Policy Profiles examines projected trends affecting similar counties across change? workforce trends comparing the Chicago the Midwest.6 An examination of expected workforce Metropolitan Area with downstate Illinois changes in Illinois during the rest of this counties. It also examines the potential for The civilian labor force, as measured by decade offers insights into the ability immigration to replace some of the retiring the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a of Illinois to attract and accommodate workers. Attention then turns to programs broader measure of a county’s workforce industry. An overview of expected changes underway in Illinois and elsewhere to than the population aged 20 to 59 since in the size of different age groups and address both the skill levels of workers and it includes individuals with a minimum different generations during the current the number of workers available. age of 16 as well as individuals over age decade is presented in Figure 1 below. 60 but not retired.7 By the BLS measure, How does Illinois compare with the the labor force in Illinois and the Midwest Several age groups are especially important Midwest in population changes? grew at comparable rates (11.3 percent to consider. First, as can be seen in Figure The working-age population (20-59 years) versus 12.7 percent), but the labor force in 1, the number of residents between 55 and increased in rural Illinois between 1990 and 2010 reflecting similar trends in other midwestern states.3 However, the workforce Figure 1. Projected Population Trends in Downstate Illinois, 2010-2020 in rural Illinois grew at less than half the rate in other midwestern states, and the Illinois workforce is projected to shrink through 2030.4 The Chicago Metropolitan Area, on the other hand, is projected to gain working-age individuals through 2030, partly stemming from rural migration to urban areas.

In the 12 census designated midwestern states, the working-age population has grown at approximately the same rate as the total population. In both 1990 and 2010, the population between 20 and 59 years represented the same percentage of total population in metropolitan and rural counties, including in Illinois. However, Center for Governmental Studies Center for Governmental Studies Northern Illinois University 3 policyprofiles

65 years of age will increase substantially Figure 2. Recent Immigrants as a Percentage of Decline in Working Age Population* during the remainder of this decade. Across Illinois, 15.8 percent of all employed people are between 55 and 64 years of age.9 This means that one in eight of the people currently employed in Illinois are approaching traditional retirement age. Retirements by this group will leave many vacancies to fill, especially in skilled and experienced positions. At the same time, because of better health and poorer financial conditions, these people are expected to work longer than recent retirees which will make the 65 to 69 year age group more the norm for retirement.

Surveys of baby boomers have shown a *In counties that lost population aged 20 to 59, the numbers of immigrants arriving in each county over the clear intention to work beyond traditional decade were calculated as a percent of the working age population lost. Counties that did not lose working age retirement ages. These plans will be populations over the decade were omitted. affected by several factors including the Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990 & 2000 Decennial Census; 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. status of their investments. The stock market has rebounded and, in some Second, the populations between 20 and Complicating this situation is that other instances, has regained much of the past 59 years are the main age groups used states are experiencing the same general net wealth even though interest rates are to analyze the potential for incoming trends which will increase competition still low. Depressed housing values, another industries and expansions.10 In Illinois, between states for workers, especially those form of investment, may also encourage the projections for each cohort in this age with better technical and soft skills. residents to work longer. The need for group between 2010 and 2020 differ. The health insurance has encouraged people 40-59 year group, including seasoned and Can immigration fill the void? to continue working, but the Affordable experienced workforce participants, will In the past two decades, the natural aging Care Act may present lower cost options decline substantially—by as much as 18 process has made immigration more to obtain insurance. At the same time, percent in some instances. These trends important in stabilizing populations, employers may be uncertain about the may indicate less availability of candidates especially in rural counties.11 A U.S. potential liabilities with older workers for senior and leadership positions in both Department of Agriculture study reported and whether they are able to keep pace the private and public sectors. total population in the Midwest would have with technology advances in the work decreased in the 1990’s if not for a surge place. Thus, overall, it is difficult to say The young professional age group, in immigration from Mexico.12 Census with any certainty how decisions to work Generation Y, show projected increases data show that, in the 1990’s, the number longer will affect the labor force, but they but they are smaller in total numbers than of individuals moving to Illinois from will definitely be important in the next the percentage declines in the preceding other countries exceeded the number of decade or so. group. The so-called Generation Z group working-age individuals leaving the state.13 (10 to 24 years) also shows declines in For each person exiting the state’s working- Nevertheless, the number of residents in some age cohorts, and the total projected age population due to aging, mortality, or these age groups will increase substantially losses in Generation Z exceed the projected migration, an immigrant entered the state. in the next few years, and they represent growth in Generation Y. Thus, these figures See Figure 2 above. It should be noted, a significant, but fleeting part of the project a smaller workforce for Illinois in however, that immigrants to Illinois do workforce. the years just ahead. Center for Governmental Studies 4 Northern Illinois University policyprofiles

not perfectly replace Illinois’ lost working- How will the workforce changes affect A second factor involves the outmigration age population since some immigrants manufacturing? of manufacturing companies to lower cost are not of working age, and the skills of Manufacturing remains a core industry in offshore locations. This movement has working-age immigrants do not necessarily Illinois, representing 10.7 percent of the brought plant closures and considerable match the skills of Illinoisans leaving the state’s employment.16 While manufacturing strife, especially to smaller cities in rural working-age group. Regardless, when the productivity as measured by the industry’s areas. The recent recession, in many state lost prime working-age individuals in Real Gross Domestic Product per employee instances, compounded these employment the 1990’s, they were mostly replaced by in Illinois increased 52.4 percent between declines. Fortunately, there is some people in the same age categories. 2000 and 2010,17 the employment in evidence of a reversal of this trend and, in manufacturing declined 35.4 percent, the past several years, Illinois has shown The situation was very different in the more than the 30.4 percent average in growth in manufacturing employment. 2000’s, however, and Illinois did not surrounding states.18 attract enough immigrants to come close to Wages paid to manufacturing employees replacing its losses in number of working- Estimates of the future manufacturing are increasing as industries’ overall age individuals. The number entering the employment in Illinois differ. A productivity has increased. Between state between 2000 and 2010 was less than Georgetown University study (2013) 2000 and 2011, however, the average half the number leaving the working age projects manufacturing employment to manufacturing employee’s weekly wages cohort. See Figure 2. increase 2 percent statewide by 2020.19 in Illinois increased 41 percent compared Woods and Poole Economics, on the other to an increase of 33 percent in wages in This trend was consistent across the hand, forecasts manufacturing employment industries in other states.21 By contrast, Midwest.14 In part, this trend can be in Illinois outside of the Chicago region Iowa and Wisconsin were identified attributed to the movement of the large, to decrease by 9.6 percent.20 Regardless, in a previous issue of Policy Profiles aging baby boom generation out of it is unlikely that the total number of as states with a competitive advantage the category of “prime working-age manufacturing jobs will return to pre- in manufacturing.22 These states had population” since that large group is recession levels for reasons discussed productivity increases in manufacturing of reaching pre-retirement age. In part, too, earlier. 46 percent and 37 percent, respectively, but the immigration rates decreased nationally their manufacturing wages increased at the at the end of the decade because of the The declines in manufacturing employment same rate as wages in industries elsewhere. recession.15 Regardless, the net effect has are explained by at least two factors. been a loss of potential workers in the prime First, manufacturing has become more Can changes in education and training working age population in Illinois. productive with the introduction of resolve Illinois’ workforce issues? advanced manufacturing techniques which Even in areas of Illinois with relatively These data also suggest that communities require fewer workers, but with more high unemployment, many high quality in Illinois cannot depend solely on advanced training and skills. This, in turn, jobs remain unfilled allegedly because immigration to expand the supply of labor. requires higher wages to attract workers. applicants are not adequately qualified Even if every immigrant to the state was for advanced manufacturing techniques. ready to fill a position in demand, more Increased productivity is evident when A 2011 survey of business owners in than half the state’s job vacancies would the Real Gross Domestic Product for northwest Illinois, for instance, identified remain unfilled. In Illinois counties that lost Manufacturing in Illinois is divided by teamwork and problem-solving, as well working-age individuals between 2000 and the number employed in the industry. This as supervisory or management skills, as 2010, 130,000 immigrants arrived in that measure of productivity per employee the most commonly-cited training needs.23 decade compared to a decline in working- increased more than 50 percent in the past More than 60 percent of respondents also age population of 308,500 workers. decade. Metropolitan areas outside the rated advanced computer skills and skills in Chicago region had the highest productivity specialized technology either as important increases at 69.3 percent. in the workplace now or expected to be important in the next three years. Center for Governmental Studies Center for Governmental Studies Northern Illinois University 5 policyprofiles

This realization has brought attempts by example, more residents have bachelor’s skills they will need to diagnose and secondary schools, community colleges, degrees, but these residents also have solve problems related to the operation and other educational institutions to design higher unemployment rates. In fact, in April of automated manufacturing equipment. new programs and outreach efforts specific 2012, the unemployment rate for residents While completing an associate’s degree, to the jobs skills needed in the region. aged 18 to 64 with bachelor’s degrees was students participate in paid apprenticeships Educational opportunities available to the higher in Illinois (4.6 percent) than in the with one of six international manufacturers workforce will be key to resolving the Midwest (3.3 percent) or in the U.S. overall of automotive components. Participating workforce skills shortage issue. (4.1 percent).26 students are paid a stipend and provided a tuition reimbursement. Upon completing Overall, the Illinois workforce has an Part of the explanation may be the impact the program, students are offered full-time educational level consistent with, if not of the recession on various industries. positions as manufacturing technicians, on slightly higher, than other midwestern For instance, if professional and business the condition that they commit to staying states. In April 2012, nearly a third (32 services were adversely affected more than with the company for two years. The percent) of Illinois residents between industries that do not require degrees, the MAT2 program began accepting students 18 and 64 years had at least a four-year unemployment rate of college-educated in January 2013. college degree, compared to 27 percent residents would be higher. in the 12 midwestern states. Since 2007, Indiana Economic Development the share of working-age residents with Regardless, the workforce is still recovering Corporation Skills Enhancement four-year degrees has increased slightly from the recession. In 2007, prior to the Fund. across the Midwest, perhaps because recession, the Midwest’s overall average Indiana funds incentives for resident more high school graduates have been unemployment rate was 5.2% and 2.1% businesses to train and retain employees pursuing higher education in light of for people with bachelor’s degrees.27 In as an alternative to outsourcing.30 declining job opportunities. However, the 2012, the average unemployment rate was Manufacturing, transportation, and increase in number of potential workers 7.9% overall and 3.3% for those who had logistics companies are eligible for with bachelor’s degrees is not unique to completed college.28 reimbursement of employee training the recession. Nationally, the share of costs from the state’s Skills Enhancement the population completing college has How are other states addressing Fund (SEF) for up to two years. Areas gradually increased since the 1970’s.24 pending skills shortages? of training covered by the SEF include The need to update the inventory of skills literacy, communication skills, computer Education will be especially important in available is not limited to Illinois and many skills, and other subjects at the economic the coming years since some of the fastest- states are addressing the same question. development corporation’s discretion. growing occupations in Illinois will be Following are several promising practices Businesses that leave Indiana within five in the social sciences, engineering, and in workforce development which could be years of receiving reimbursement from the healthcare that require advanced degrees. more widely utilized in Illinois. SEF are required to return the reimbursed Occupations in these categories are forecast amount. Start-ups are also eligible for SEF to grow by more than 15 percent between Michigan Advanced Technician reimbursement. More than 900 contracts 2010 and 2020.25 Training (MAT2). have been accepted under the SEF since Michigan offers a training program 2005. The workforce in Illinois has a larger specifically designed to prepare proportion of college degree holders than young adults for careers in advanced The average business approved under either Iowa or Minnesota, two neighboring manufacturing.29 Called MAT2, the the SEF program had 270 employees, states with lower unemployment rates. program enrolls high school graduates of expected to create 80 jobs, and would While higher education typically leads to a students currently enrolled in a community receive $89,000 in reimbursements for greater likelihood of securing employment, college or four-year institution. The MAT2 training expenses. Since the recession, this is not always the case. In Illinois, for curriculum helps students develop the SEF approved more than 200 contracts mechanical, electronic, and communication for training in companies with at least 100 employers.31 Center for Governmental Studies 6 Northern Illinois University policyprofiles

Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA) equipment. Students receive compensation to the economic mainstream, and in Chicago. for their work in credits for student activity strengthen state and national economies. APA is a preparatory high school for fees such as field trip costs. In some cases, However, for this to happen, substantial college and careers in manufacturing students received scholarships in return for challenges must be met. Business leaders and engineering. The Academy was their work. must work with educational personnel founded in 2007 by the Chicago to craft programs that not only interest Manufacturing Renaissance Council This initiative provides students with students and displaced workers, but, more with the intent to prepare youth for an opportunities to gain experience in the importantly, will prepare them to work evolving manufacturing sector. In 2010, manufacturing industry before starting in increasingly complex manufacturing the Academy opened the Manufacturing college or entering the job market. environments. Significantly, discussions Technology Center, a laboratory where of these challenges, meetings between students operate the same equipment that Joint Institute of Engineering and manufacturers, and effective work-based is used by manufacturers today and earn Technology-Aerospace (JIET-A) in training programs are springing up across certification from the National Institute for Rockford, Illinois. the country. Several examples of such Metalworking Skills (NIMS). Since the JIET-A is a partnership including higher programs in the Midwest are described Technology Center opened, 140 students education institutions and aerospace above. have earned NIMS certification. Subject manufacturers in northern Illinois. 33 The areas in which students commonly received Institute was stated to recruit talented young Key to the success of such ventures is certification include metalforming, CNC engineers for Rockford’s 200 aerospace engaging local business in helping to plan turning operations, and milling operations. companies which were anticipating a need and evaluate the effectiveness of education to replace experienced employees nearing and training programs targeted to local In APA’s career preparation program, retirement.) The program was funded in needs. In many ways, such discussions students spend their freshman and part with a U.S. Economic Development bring community colleges to the sophomore years gaining NIMS Administration grant. forefront in responding to local economic certification and making field trips to the development opportunities. However, an sites of manufacturing companies such as Students in the program participate in paid important challenge faces community Winzeler Gear and C. Cretors Company. internships at aerospace companies such as colleges in some rural areas because their Students complete one or two jobs Woodward and GE Aviation while taking shrinking tax bases make it financially shadowing experiences in their junior and courses in engineering, mathematics, and difficult for them to respond as quickly as senior years and hold summer internships information technology. Students may needed or as they would like. Purchasing with one of over 60 manufacturers enroll in JIET-A through several institutions specialized equipment on which to train partnered with the Academy.32 including Northern Illinois University, students, finding experienced instructors Rock Valley College, and Rockford to teach required classes, and researching Student-run Machine Shop in New University. The academy began accepting changing workplace skills are all expensive. London, Wisconsin. applicants in September 2012 and has Funds are desperately needed to support The New London School District in attracted more than 100 applicants in the these vital services. Wisconsin offers a program in which high first six months.34 school students in metalworking classes Excellent opportunities exist to build the complete projects for local businesses. What has been learned from workplace private-public partnerships needed to One project involved students in designing studies and data? prepare local workforces for high quality and manufacturing stands to display the The resurgence in manufacturing in the jobs. In light of the projected shrinking work of an area art dealer. In another U.S. and, to a lesser extent, in Illinois workforce facing rural Illinois, such project, students used stop watches to brings many opportunities to create partnerships may be rural Illinois’ best test and identify the most efficient ways quality jobs, reconnect displaced workers hope for rebuilding the prosperity of many to complete procedures using CNC counties and regions in Illinois. Center for Governmental Studies Northern Illinois University 7 policyprofiles

Investment Board. 2012. Measuring Progress: 21U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2000 & Endnotes Benchmarking Workforce Development 2011 Quarterly Census of Employment and 1Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional and in Illinois. Retrieved from: http://www. Wages. ildceo.net/NR/rdonlyres/F7AA22AF- State Employment and Unemployment 22 Summary, May 17, 2013. Retrieved from: 14C4-4094-802B-D19C218F825E/0/ Norman Walzer, Andrew Blanke, and Brian http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm IWIBBenchmarkReportIWIBApproved Harger. Employment Changes in Downstate 2013.pdf; Wisconsin Department of Illinois and Business Climate Perceptions. 2Norman Walzer, Andrew Blanke, and Brian Workforce Development, Office of Economic Policy Profiles vol. 12, no 1. DeKalb, IL: Harger. Employment Changes in Downstate Advisors. 2008. Wisconsin’s Job Outlook Northern Illinois University, 2013. 2006-2016. Retrieved from: http://www.ssc. Illinois and Business Climate Perceptions. 23 Policy Profiles vol. 12, no 1. DeKalb, IL: wisc.edu/~bhansen/390/WiscJobOutlook.pdf. Harger, Brian; Henriksen, Melissa; Walzer, Norman; Blanke, Andy. 2013. Promoting Northern Illinois University, 2013; Norman 11 Walzer and Brian Harger. “The Rural Paul Lasley and Margaret Hanson. “The Regional Prosperity in Northwest Illinois: Midwest: How Is It Faring?” Rural Research Changing Population of the Midwest: A Regional Focus, Regional Results. DeKalb, Report, vol. 23, Issue 1. Macomb, IL: Illinois Reflection on Opportunities” in Norman IL: Northern Illinois University. Institute for Rural Affairs. 2012. Walzer, ed. The American Midwest: Managing Change in Rural Transition. 24See note 4.

3 Armonk, NY: Sharpe Publications, pp. 16-40. U.S. Census Bureau. 1990 Decennial 25 Census, Summary File 1; U.S. Census See note 19. 12William Kandel and Constance Newman. Bureau. 2010 Decennial Census, Summary 26 File 1. “Rural Hispanics: Employment and U.S. Census Bureau. 2012 Current Residential Trends.” Amber Waves (June Population Survey, Annual Social and 4Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. 2012. 2004). Washington, DC: U.S. Department Economic Supplement. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Complete Economic & Demographic Data 27 Source. Washington D.C. Retrieved from: http://ideas.repec.org/a/ags/ U.S. Census Bureau. 2007 Current uersaw/129607.html Population Survey, Annual Social and 5See note 4. Economic Supplement. 13See note 3. 28 6See note 4. See note 20. 14See note 3. 29 7 http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines 15 the civilian labor force as all employed Kristen McCabe and Doris Meissner. michigan-advanced-technician-training- individuals over age 16 as well as all 2010. Immigration and the United States: program/ Recession Affects Flows, Prospects for unemployed people who sought work in the 30 last four weeks. This includes people at or Reform. Washington DC: Migration Policy http://iedc.in.gov/programs-initiatives/skills- near retirement age that are still working. Institute. Retrieved from: http://www. enhancement-fund. migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display. For more information see: http://www.bls. 31 gov/cps/lfcharacteristics.htm#laborforce cfm?ID=766#8 https://transparency.iedc.in.gov/Pages/ ContractSearch.aspx and http://www.in.gov/ 16 8U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 2013 U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business legislative/ic/code/title5/ar28/ch7.html Current Population Survey. Patterns. 32Austin Polytechnical Academy. 2013, 17 9U.S. Census Bureau. 2010 Local U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. 2013 Career Program. Retrieved from: http:// Employment Dynamics. GDP-By-Industry Accounts austinpolytech.org/career-program

18 33 10Studies of workforce development vary in Norman Walzer and Brian Harger. “The http://northernpublicradio.org/post/jiet- the age range used to define the workforce. Rural Midwest: How Is It Faring?” Rural building-aerospace-pipeline-rockford Research Report, vol. 23, Issue 1. Macomb, For example, in annual progress reports, 34 the Illinois Workforce Investment Board IL: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. 2012. City of Rockford, IL. 2013. JiET-A Program Attracts Over 100 Applicants. Retrieved defines working-age adults as those over 19 age 25. For another example, the Wisconsin Anthony Carnevale, Nicole Smith, and Jeff from: http://www.kallman.com/press/ Department of Workforce Development Strohl. 2013. Recovery: Projections of Jobs PARISAIRSHOW13/Rockford-JiET-A%20 defines the workforce as those aged 16 or and Education Requirements Through 2020 Program%20Hits%20100%20Applicants%20 higher, with those aged 55 or higher set aside State Report. Washington DC: Georgetown release.pdf as the cohort representing pre-retirees. We Public Policy Institute. Retrieved from: http:// used the population aged 20 to 59 since many cew.georgetown.edu/recovery2020/ Illinois people aged 16 to 20 are students not in the data are on on pages 36 and 37. workforce and that people aged 60 and above 20 are nearing retirement age. Illinois Workforce See note 4. PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL policyprofiles U.S. POSTAGE PAID Northern Illinois Center for Governmental Studies University Northern Illinois University

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the founder and, for 18 years, the director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU. WIU. at Affairs Rural for Institute Illinois the of director the years, 18 for and, founder the

Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois. DeKalb, University, Illinois

at NIU. An Emeritus Professor of Economics at Western Illinois University (WIU), he was was he (WIU), University Illinois Western at Economics of Professor Emeritus An NIU. at

Governmental Studies, Northern Northern Studies, Governmental

Norman Walzer, Norman Ph.D, is a Senior Research Scholar in the Center for Governmental Studies Studies Governmental for Center the in Scholar Research Senior a is Ph.D, with attribution to the Center for for Center the to attribution with

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Northern Illinois University, and and University, Illinois Northern Stevens Point. Point. Stevens

the Center for Governmental Studies, Studies, Governmental for Center the

degree program. He earned a B.S. in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, of University the at Science Political in B.S. a earned He program. degree

is a publication of of publication a is Profiles Policy Northern Illinois University and is a graduate of NIU’s Master of Public Administration Administration Public of Master NIU’s of graduate a is and University Illinois Northern

policy Andy Blanke, Blanke, Andy MPA, is a Research Associate at the Center for Governmental Studies at at Studies Governmental for Center the at Associate Research a is MPA, profiles About the Authors the About