CHAMPAIGN — To prevent fatalities on the farm during the busy harvest season, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in reminding farmers and farm workers to be cautious when working in and around grain bins.

“Grain handling is always a high-hazard undertaking for farm workers,” Bennett said. “Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds, because moving grain acts like quicksand. If you must go inside a grain bin, make sure you take the proper safety precautions to prevent an accident or injury.”

CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced $5 million in financial assistance will be available to livestock producers and small meat and poultry plants hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 

“Farmers have continued to put food on store shelves and on families’ tables during these tough times,” Bennett said. “I’m confident these funds will help benefit producers, consumers and rural communities that have been impacted by COVID-19 disruptions.”

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically slowed livestock processing throughout the state, which forced farmers to hold animals for longer periods of time, resulting in higher input costs and cancelled, delayed or reduced sales.

Financial assistance is available through three programs administered by the Department of Agriculture. Individuals and businesses are only eligible to apply for one program, and applicants located in a disproportionately impacted area (DIA) will receive a 10% increase in funding. A list of DIA’s can be found here.

Online applications are available at agr.state.il.us. Applications will close on Oct. 31, 2020. Questions about this funding can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CHAMPAIGN – Drawing on his experience as an attorney and prosecutor, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to see that the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services (ISP DFS) has unveiled an online sexual assault tracking system to give sexual assault survivors the ability to track evidence in new cases.

“Creating a uniform system to track sexual assault evidence will ensure survivors are treated with respect and offenders are held accountable,” Bennett said. “This new system will empower survivors to access information that’s critically helpful for them to move forward from their assault.”

CHAMPAIGN—State Senator Scott Bennett is urging business owners to utilize the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity’s webinar to navigate the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program this week.

Businesses across Champaign and Vermilion county businesses can register to participate in the free, informative webinar on Tuesday, September 29 at 3 p.m.

“The Business Interruption Grant program will help give our local businesses a helping hand during this awful pandemic,” Bennett said. “I urge area businesses to take advantage of this program and utilize this informative webinar to ensure they are completing applications correctly in order to receive the full amount of assistance they qualify for.” 

Registration is required for this event. Interested participants can click here to register.

Applications for Round 2 of the BIG program were launched last week. The latest round has allocated $220 million in assistance for movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues and more to help them stay afloat through this time of crisis and ensure they have the resources to open safely in the coming months.

The intention of the second round is to provide relief for all types of small businesses, with a focus on businesses located downstate. It also includes $60 million for heavily distressed industries, such as movie theaters, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, event spaces located at banquet halls and hotels, and more. And another $70 million has been set aside for businesses in economically distressed communities that have been the most vulnerable to COVID-1

“During this pandemic, our local businesses have served our communities and worked diligently to keep their employees and customers safe,” Bennett said. “It is our duty to support our small businesses – as always I urge folks to frequent small businesses but especially during these trying times. Whether you are picking up dinner this weekend, in need of a new shirt or looking for a birthday gift, please shop local.” 

Applications open are open and can be found on the Illinois DCEO’s website. Bennett urges business owners who are unable to attend the September 29 webinar to visit DECO’s website to sign up for another webinar. 

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CHAMPAIGN – School districts in the 52^nd Illinois State Senate District are set to receive nearly $1.5 million in funding to give students in Champaign and Vermilion Counties more reliable access to technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Scott Bennett is glad to see area schools receive this assistance to close the digital divide among students in downstate communities.

“During this awful pandemic, it is important that we work diligently to ensure our students are not falling behind academically because they don’t have the technology to actively participate in e-learning,” Bennett said. “As we continue to work to keep our children safe, we also need to ensure they are not missing out on vital learning opportunities.”

Bennett was pleased to see 11 school districts in the 52^nd State Senate District are set to receive support, including:

• Danville School District No. 118 – $322,268
• Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD #4 – $81,887
• Oakwood CUSD #76 – $83,123
• Rantoul City Schools School District 137 – $125,286
• Rantoul Township High School 193 – $72,907
• Thomasboro CCSD 130 – $37,607
• University of Illinois Laboratory School – $46,865
• Urbana School District #116 – $266,112
• Westville School District #2 – $100,904
• Safe School- Vermilion County Regional Office of Education – $31,303
• Safe School- Champaign/Ford County Regional Office of Education – $35,023

The Digital Equity Formula Grants, funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, are intended to help schools expand connectivity and provide students with devices like computers or tablets. Funding was distributed using a need-based formula.

For more information about COVID-19 and education, visit isbe.net/covid19.

CHAMPAIGN – Four area parks will receive a combined $1.5 million to make major renovations and improvements, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday. 

“This investment in our parks is vital because it promotes health, wellness and quality of life to families and older adults,” Bennett said. “I’m pleased to see so many of the parks in our community benefit from this grant.” 

The money comes from a grant that is part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program is providing more than $29.7 million in grants to support 85 local park projects across the state. 

Parks receiving the grant include: 

• Champaign PD, Human Kinetics Park Development: $400,000
• Danville, Historic Ellsworth Park Redevelopment: $373,900
• Rantoul, Rudzinski Park Redevelopment: $360,000
• Urbana PD, Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Project: $400,000

DANVILLE — With the 2020 Census entering the final stages of its count, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) are reminding Vermilion County residents to complete the census for their household. 

“As the census draws to a close, I would encourage folks in Vermilion County to take a few minutes to complete the census so our community receives the resources and representation it deserves,” Bennett said. “Until there’s a 100% response rate, schools, roads, hospitals and other critical community services could be negatively affected. I encourage you to participate in the 2020 Census and get counted before the Sept. 30 deadline.”

Across Vermilion County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 65.3% of Vermilion County residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 70.2% of residents in 2010.

Marron says he is encouraging residents in the 104th district he represents in East Central Illinois to make sure they are counted, noting communities lose out on funding and representation for every person that does not fill out the census.

"September 30, 2020, is your last day to make sure you are counted in the census. The process is simple and completed online in about 10 minutes total," Marron said. "The census count affects the number of Federal tax dollars that make their way back to our communities. An accurate count also ensures that the residents of East Central Illinois will have adequate representation going forward for the next ten years."

The census is now safer, more secure and just as confidential. Filling out the form is crucial, as data from the 2020 Census will be used to draw new congressional district maps, helps determine how federal funds flow into states and provides information that will affect communities across Illinois for the next 10 years.

“Completing the Census is one of the most fundamental ways our citizens can invest in our community!  It only takes a few minutes to answer nine quick questions, and the return on investment for doing so is amazing,” Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said.  “Remember, not only do we lose approximately $1,400 for every person who doesn't reply, but our congressional representation is directly dependent on folks being accurately counted in our community. Therefore, if you haven't already done so, please complete your census response today!”

Residents can complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020.

CHAMPAIGN — With many households still uncounted, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joined State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and Champaign-Urbana community leaders at a press conference this morning to encourage residents of Champaign County to complete the 2020 census.

“The census is quick and easy—it only takes a few moments to complete,” Bennett said. “The census determines the amount of federal funding and representation our communities receive. Champaign County is currently at risk of losing up to two congressional districts based on our current response rates.”

Across Champaign County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 67.4% of residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 70.4% of residents in 2010.  The group urges all residents to fill out their census forms it is the only way to accurately account for the entire county.

“It is crunch time. There are less than 30 days to make sure that every single person in the state is counted in the census,” Ammons said. “Funding and resources that our communities desperately need for the next ten years are on the line. So do your part. Get counted at my2020census.gov today!” 

Historically, the census has undercounted certain key constituencies—including young children, people of color, urban and rural low-income households—at disproportionately high rates.

Higher self-response rates means fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in person. This year, census surveyors are putting their and their families’ health at risk of COVID-19, and limiting visits may mean saving lives.

"It’s very important for the future of this county that the people complete their census forms," Rose said. 

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has staff dedicated to helping people through the census completion process. There are additional assistance hubs located at the University YMCA and the City of Urbana.

Residents can also complete the census for their household at my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.