Macomb, IL – A man who worked to make rural Illinois a better place is retiring from his job at Western Illinois University. Norm Walzer was the founding director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, which is headquartered at WIU. He says the IIRA grew out of a task force on the future of rural Illinois. The plan was to improve opportunities and the quality of life in rural regions. Walzer thinks the IIRA has accomplished that. He says the challenges facing rural Illinois when the IIRA began in 1989 included high unemployment and population loss. He says today's challenges include the need to gain better access to healthcare, public transportation, and broadband. Walzer stepped down as head of the IIRA last year but has remained on board to help with projects. His final day on the job at WIU will be January 31. In appreciation of his contributions over the years, January 27 was declared "Norm Walzer Day"in Macomb. Walzer says he's humbled by the honor.
Advocate for Rural Issues Retires
