WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth released the following statement regarding Pam Monetti’s appointment as the new Illinois Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development:

“At our recommendation, the Biden Administration has made an excellent choice in appointing Pam Monetti to serve as the new Illinois Director for USDA Rural Development. With experience in state and federal government, Ms. Monetti is well-suited for the job. Her background has provided her with the insight and understanding of rural Illinois that is necessary to succeed in this position. We look forward to working alongside her to ensure that Illinois continues to receive federal investments to strengthen our rural communities.

“We’d also like to commend Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, who preceded Ms. Monetti in this role, for her service to Illinois as she takes on a new challenge as the Administrator for the Rural Business Cooperative-Service at USDA.”

The USDA Illinois State Office for Rural Development, located in Champaign, Illinois, administers USDA Rural Development programs through 11 field offices in the state. These programs provide grants and loans for economic development in rural towns, ranging from water and wastewater systems, broadband, distance education, telehealth, solar and wind power on farms and rural businesses, housing, and upgrades to public facilities like schools, child care, libraries, and emergency first responders. 

As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden Administration has invested more than $5 billion in new investments in rural economic development, including expanding rural high-speed Internet; energy infrastructure upgrades to help farm and rural businesses reduce electric bills; and investments in drinking water, wastewater, health care, affordable housing, and greater access to renewable biofuels.