Joyce’s biodiesel bill a big win for Illinois farmers, environment

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) passed a measure in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday that incentivizes the use of biodiesel.

“Incentivizing use of higher biodiesel blends helps the Illinois economy by increasing soybean demand while supporting a cleaner-burning fuel for the environment,” Joyce said. “Putting Illinois on a path towards more biodiesel usage is good for the environment, Illinois farmers and our economy.”

Under current law, diesel blends of over 10% biodiesel (B11) are exempt from all sales taxes until Dec. 31, 2023. Joyce passed Senate Bill 1146, which would exempt proceeds of sales of biodiesel and renewable diesel from sales tax.

Read more: Joyce’s biodiesel bill a big win for Illinois farmers, environment

Bennett legislation creates inclusive access solutions for course materials

SPRINGFIELD – To reduce the cost of course materials and make them more accessible to Illinois students, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced legislation through the Senate to save students money.

“Cost and convenience play an important role for students when purchasing their course materials,” Bennett said. “With this legislation, higher education institutions will put course materials in students’ hands the right way and at the right price.”

Under the measure, students would receive digital access to their online course materials at a significantly reduced cost. These materials can be viewed on a computer, laptop or smartphone on the first day of class.

Read more: Bennett legislation creates inclusive access solutions for course materials

Belt champions student safety

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) championed a measure that passed the Senate Wednesday that would further increase student safety by ensuring their local school board’s threat assessment procedures are filed with the local law enforcement agencies.

“We have seen school shootings on the rise across the country,” Belt said. “Ensuring our school’s threat assessment procedures are up to date is essential to protecting our students in an emergency situation.”

Currently, each public school district is required to implement a threat assessment procedure that includes the creation of a threat assessment team. The team must consist of an administrator, teacher, school counselor, psychologist, school social worker and at least one law enforcement official.

Read more: Belt champions student safety

University of Saint Francis to receive funding for behavioral health worker program thanks to Sen. Connor’s support

JOLIET – Thanks to support from State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport), the University of Saint Francis will receive a grant for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to prepare students for work as behavioral and mental health professionals.

“Our mental health system has been underfunded for decades, producing strains on the rest of our government systems that have resulted in the current mental health crisis we are facing,” said Connor. “The loss of mental health professionals needs to be addressed, so that we can work on solutions to this crisis instead of ignoring it as it grows.”

Read more: University of Saint Francis to receive funding for behavioral health worker program thanks to Sen....