Fayette County welcomes Sen. Pacione-Zayas for farm visits

FAYETTE COUNTY – As part of its Adopt-a-Legislator® program, the Fayette County Farm Bureau welcomed State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) to multiple farms in downstate Illinois to learn about their operations and further develop relationships with farmers in the state.

“The time spent in Fayette County with my family during our tours of the fields and farms was enlightening,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Maintaining connections to the land and relationships with farmers across the state is important for bridging the gap between urban and rural communities in Illinois.  In the months I’ve been a part of the Adopt-a-Legislator program, you recognize the significance of championing policy that benefits the agriculture industry and our environment so Illinois communities can be sustainable and thriving.”

Read more: Fayette County welcomes Sen. Pacione-Zayas for farm visits

Bennett: College-bound students can use Common App to apply to Illinois public universities

CHAMPAIGN – Prospective students applying to any of Illinois’ 12 public universities can now use the Common Application, and Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging incoming students to take advantage.

Bennett worked with his colleagues in the General Assembly and the Illinois Board of Higher Education to obtain $1 million in funding to add all of the state’s public universities onto the Common App platform so that students in Illinois will consider continuing their educational journey at home.

Read more: Bennett: College-bound students can use Common App to apply to Illinois public universities

Loughran Cappel excited to announce students can apply to all state universities through one application

PLAINFIELD – To increase college accessibility and affordability, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is excited to announce that college-bound students can apply to all Illinois public universities through Common App.

The governor’s office and Illinois Board of Higher Education worked with the Illinois General Assembly to utilize $1 million in funding to add all public schools and a dozen private universities to the Common App system.

“Streamlining the college application process will help us keep Illinois’ best and brightest in state,” Loughran Cappel said. “Expanding opportunities for our students will help encourage them to choose Illinois’ higher education facilities as the next step in their academic journey.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel excited to announce students can apply to all state universities through one...

Belt encourages people to write letters to residents of veterans’ homes

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) encourages people to help lift up veterans across the state by asking service organizations, volunteers, and others to write friendly letters to veterans’ home residents ahead of Veterans Day.

“The district I represent is home to a large population of veterans, each of them being valued members of the community,” Belt said. “Some have lost their lives, and some continue to endure the impacts of their service, and we must honor, recognize, and show appreciation to all of them.”

Read more: Belt encourages people to write letters to residents of veterans’ homes