CHAMPAIGN – To spread some cheer in the midst of a pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivered 150 cards to the residents of the Clark-Lindsey Village retirement community in Champaign on Wednesday.

“This is an extremely difficult and lonely time for older adults living away from their families,” Bennett said. “The community’s response to this project has been overwhelming and uplifting. I’m grateful for their show of support to remind these folks that they are not alone.” 

Last month, Bennett launched the “Cards for Seniors” collection project, giving community members the opportunity to write an encouraging message or card to an older neighbor who may be separated from their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bennett’s office also partnered with the Panhellenic Council at the University of Illinois as part of the council’s work week virtual service event. The council used this project as a service event and as an opportunity to connect with others in the Champaign community in a safe, contactless manner.

“During this time of social distancing and staying home, it was encouraging to share these cards with the residents at Clark-Lindsey and put a smile on their face,” Bennett said.   

Caption information for attached photo: State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivers cards to residents at Clark-Lindsey Village in Champaign on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

CHAMPAIGN – To support the community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is reminding residents that testing is critical to virus tracking and response efforts.

“Testing is vital to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Bennett said. “If we want to protect ourselves and others from this virus, we must do our part and get tested when experiencing symptoms or after coming into contact with someone with COVID-19.”

If a person believes they have been exposed to the virus, they should get tested 5-7 days after exposure – even if they don’t feel ill. Studies have shown people who are asymptomatic for the virus are still able to spread it to others, who may become visibly sick and require medical attention.

Individuals with symptoms that may be COVID-19 should also get tested, even if they don’t believe they need medical care.

Illinois has tested more than 3.8 million COVID-19 specimens since March and continues to expand testing throughout the state.

“COVID-19 testing is still available in Champaign and Vermilion Counties,” Bennett said. “The preventive measures we take today could mean the difference between life and death for our neighbors.”

There are nearly 300 testing sites across the state, including 11 state-operated community-based testing sites and 12 mobile testing teams that conduct tests at facilities experiencing outbreaks – including nursing homes and correctional centers – and areas around the state reporting increased cases. All state-operated testing facilities are free.

More information about locations, testing hours and requirements can be found at www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

CHAMPAIGN – To help address the state’s blood supply shortage, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is calling on healthy, eligible donors to donate blood at two upcoming blood drives taking place next week in Urbana and Danville.

“The need for blood is greater than ever, and these drives are an effort to help meet the current demand for blood donations,” Bennett said. “If you are healthy and able, your participation is critical to help save lives during this ongoing public health crisis.”

The blood drives will take place Tuesday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 11 at the Urbana Donor Center, located at 1408 W. University Ave. in Urbana, and the Danville Elks Donor Center, located at 300 E. Liberty Lane in Danville. Donation hours at the Urbana location can be found here, and Danville here.

Donor centers are following recommendations from local, state and federal health agencies to keep staff, volunteers and donors safe. Appointments and masks will be required, and chairs in all areas will be at least six feet apart.

Healthy and eligible candidates can schedule an appointment to donate in Urbana at https://ilsendems.co/C-UBloodDrive or in Danville at https://ilsendems.co/DanvilleBloodDrive. All presenting donors will receive a voucher for a $10 gift card to a location of their choice, which can be redeemed through Sept. 20.

For more information, Bennett urges residents to contact his Champaign office at 217-355-5252 or his Danville office at 217-442-5252. Those with questions can also visit his website, SenatorBennett.com.

CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is inviting area farmers to apply to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” cover crop program to receive a discounted crop insurance rate in spring 2021.

“I’m thrilled to see this program return after seeing a lot of success in its inaugural season,” Bennett said. “This program serves as an important tool to help farmers as they increase cover crop acres beyond what might be eligible for other state and federal programs.”

Bennett worked closely with the Department of Agriculture last year to develop the program, which allows eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

The goal of the program is to encourage farmers to plant additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives.

“Cover crops are a great way to keep soil anchored, salvage nitrogen, capture carbon and create weed suppression,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting Director of Agriculture. “In the long run, cover crops will help Illinois farmers reduce the need for fertilizer and reach the goals of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.”

Any farmer with coverage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency crop insurance program is eligible to apply.

Applications will be available in December on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. For questions or additional information, contact the department at (217) 782-6297.

DANVILLE – As a show of support for isolated older adults in Vermilion County, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivered one hundred cards to the residents of Bowman Estates of Danville on Friday.

“I want to thank the community who helped make these thoughtful cards for our older neighbors,” Bennett said. “These cards brought joy to folks stuck inside because of COVID-19 and let them know we’re thinking about them.”

Through Bennett’s “Cards for Seniors” collection this past month, community members had the opportunity to write an encouraging message or card to an older neighbor who may be separated from their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bennett’s office collected cards from the Vermilion County Board, Project Success students, Salt Fork High School students, and the Georgetown Ladies Community Club.

“This project really showed how the community can come together, especially during this period of social distancing and staying home,” Bennett said. “It was heartwarming to share these with the residents at Bowman Estates and remind them we’re all in this together.”  

Caption information for attached photo: State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivers cards to Angela Rodgers, Administrator of Bowman Estates in Danville on August 28, 2020.

CHAMPAIGN – With less than a month before the U.S. Census Bureau wraps up its counting efforts, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging Champaign County residents to fill out the census if they have not done so, or risk costing their communities vital federal funding over the next 10 years.

“The goal is to get an accurate count of how many people live in a community so we don’t miss out on funding for critical public services,” Bennett said. “Whether it’s on paper, online or on the phone, please fill out the 2020 Census as soon as possible to ensure Champaign County gets its fair share.”

Across Champaign County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 63% of Champaign residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 70.7% of residents in 2010. In Urbana, just 65.2% of residents have been counted—a decade ago, 67.9% of residents responded. Rantoul is also below target level, with only 62.4% of residents having completed their census forms, versus 68.7% of residents in 2010.

Residents can complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov. Higher self-response rates mean 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.

“Health care, schools, and roads and bridges are all impacted by the 2020 Census,” Bennett said. “I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to participate.”

To see response rates across Illinois and the nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us. 

CHAMPAIGN – Building on the state’s commitment to support science and technology, the University of Illinois has been selected to receive federal funding for two research institutes focused on artificial intelligence, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday.

“Researchers at the University of Illinois are addressing some of the most complex and exciting challenges of our time,” Bennett said. “I’m proud to see their work recognized, and I have no doubt that these institutions will drive discovery and innovation for decades to come.”

With these investments, the National Science Foundation will fund the AI Institute for Molecular Discovery, Synthetic Strategy and Manufacturing, also known as the Molecule Maker Lab Institute. In addition, the AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management and Sustainability will advance AI research in computer vision, machine learning, soft-object manipulation and intuitive human-robot interaction to solve major agricultural challenges.

The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Each of the new institutes will receive about $20 million over five years.

CHAMPAIGN – To help save homeowners money on their utility bills, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hosting a free virtual clinic with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. 

“This clinic will give people the opportunity to learn how to reduce their utility bills,” Bennett said.  “With so many people struggling, I’m glad to be able to connect them with available resources to help them save their hard-earned money.”

Starting Aug. 25 at 9 a.m., residents will be able to register for a virtual one-on-one consultation with a CUB professional to discuss lowering their electric, water, gas, phone, cable and internet bills. After registrants have selected a time slot, they will receive details for a private video call with a CUB representative.

During the clinic, the representative will evaluate participants’ bills to determine if they are signed up with an alternative supplier or paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let participants know if they are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy efficiency programs.

Senator Bennett encourages residents to take advantage of this free clinic to keep their utility usage and costs in check.

For more information on the program, visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or contact Bennett’s office at 217-355-5252.