The Serve Illinois Commission is preparing to devise a new State Service Plan for 2010 to 2013. View the current Service Plan. The new Service Plan will act as a road map for Illinois to increase the number of citizens who give back to their communities. It will also include aspects of the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. In order to gain as much feedback as possible from the public regarding volunteerism and service, Serve Illinois will be hosting four listening sessions throughout the state.

Below is a letter from Ted Gibbs, Executive Director of the SERVE Illinois Commission

July 31, 2009

Dear Service and Volunteerism Supporter,

I am writing to you today to ask for your help in constructing Illinois' State Service Plan for 2010-2013. The development of Illinois' State Service Plan will be the first step in promoting an ethic of service here in Illinois.

In accordance with the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the Serve Illinois Commission will develop the State Service Plan through an open and public process. To ensure that all Illinoisans can contribute to their service plan, the Commission will be hosting a series of listening sessions throughout the Land of Lincoln.

All those who wish to contribute and help develop our State Service Plan will be able to make public comment about the direction of service and volunteerism. It will also provide an opportunity to learn about the Serve America Act. The listening sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

• August 31, 2009 – Northwest Illinois: Kishwaukee College, Room A-247, 21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL 60150
• September 1, 2009 – Chicago: Metcalf Building, Room 331, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604
• September 9, 2009 – Springfield: Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Auditorium, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62764
• September 15, 2009 – Mt Vernon: Rend Lake College, Room 354 A & B, 327 Potomac Blvd, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

If you are unable to attend one of the Listening Sessions, we welcome you to provide written feedback. You can submit written feedback by email or fax to Scott McFarland. Mr. McFarland's email address is Scott.McFarland@illinois.gov and the fax number is 217-557-0515. The facilitation questions will be posted on the Serve Illinois website at www.Serve.Illinois.gov. The link will be available in the "Spotlight" section of the home page.

Please make plans to join us for these listening sessions on service.

Sincerely,

Ted Gibbs

Executive Director