LAST MINUTE - Eat Local Event(s) TODAY, May 20 - Get Heard

Sorry for the last minute-ness of this, but I only got the word on this late yesterday.

The Illinois General Assembly created a "Food & Farms Task Force to further the cause of local eating in this state. In other words, trying to better hook up non-commodity farmers in the state with consumers of their food. The Task Force has scheduled “Listening sessions” at various locations statewide to gather recommendations from the public on production, infrastructure, public access, public education, and economic benefits that can be derived from Illinois farmers directly serving the needs of their neighbors. They need input!

There are two listening sessions TODAY May 20, 2008.

- Hull House Museum on the UIC campus, 800 S. Halsted, 12noon to 1:30pm, as part of their Rethinking Soup series, http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/Events/kitchen/ (free soup!)

- DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005, 3pm to 5pm, http://www.chicagofoodpolicy.org/events.htm

My wife and I are going to attend the session at Hull House. And a trip to Hull House is never complete, no, with a trip to nearby Manny's. We plan on being at Manny's around 11 AM and then walking to Hull House. We would love for anyone to join us at this last minute call to action (or for an early sandwich).

Here's the link to the Task Force for more info: http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/Mk ... Force.html. Those who cannot attend in person can submit written comments at any time prior to July 15, 2008 to Debbie Hillman, dlhillman@sbcglobal.net (or call 847-328-7175 for mailing address).

I'll be at the DePaul session. If any fellow LTHers will as well, please post or PM

Hi,

I realize this is after-the-fact. I have gone to 'listening sessions,' on some key legislative issues. I found if you wanted to be listened to, especially on hot button items, then you have to call in advance for a time slot. Otherwise you find yourself in a hot room teaming with activists with a promise you might get an opportunity to speak your peace at the very end. In one case, it meant standing around for hours for a maybe, when a well written letter may pierce the veil better.

Regards,

Cathty, at the Hull House event, the only one I can speak for, anyone who wanted a chance to chat, had a chance. The only limit was that you were limited to two minutes. Still, that was overcome a few times by people who just got back in line to speak again. The bigger problem I saw was that 3/4th of the people were there to raise their general gripes against the Man or simply because they thought it was a poetry slam. Anyways, I am still glad I went, and I wish I could have posted on it sooner. If I learn of other such events, I will try to let you know sooner too.

Hi,

You were fortunate you had a relatively lightly attended event and thanks for relating your experience.

Calling in advance to get yourself on the slate is the only way I would attend another 'listening' event. It guarantees you have an opportunity to speak. For an Illinois state budget related discussion, I dragged myself away from work, drove to a meeting and learned I had little chance to get a word in. The 90 minutes time could have been better spent writing a well crafted letter to my representative.

Regards,

I got to speak at the DePaul session without any hassle or advance arrangement. I pushed for easing the regulations that prevent local farmers from selling fresh, unfrozen meat.