SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is building on ongoing efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois.

“Protecting the Mahomet Aquifer is not just about preserving water; it’s about safeguarding the future of our community,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “While innovation in carbon sequestration holds promise, we must prioritize the health and safety of our residents, ensuring progress never comes at the expense of our most vital resource.”

Faraci’s measure would prohibit carbon sequestration over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer, enforcing sustainable practices and preventing harmful activities. This is crucial for residents of Central Illinois, as the aquifer is the only source of clean drinking water for at least half of the population it serves – meaning those residents would have no alternative should the aquifer become contaminated.

SPRINGFIELD – Every second counts when a loved one goes missing, but for individuals with developmental disabilities, finding them quickly can be even more challenging. State Senator Paul Faraci is aiming to change that by creating the Golden Search Awareness Program, ensuring families, caregivers and communities have the tools and awareness necessary to bring missing people home safely.

“When someone with a developmental disability goes missing, time and awareness are critical,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This legislation will ensure law enforcement, families and the public know how to respond, giving our most vulnerable neighbors a better chance at being found quickly and safely.”

Currently, Illinois relies on broad alert systems such as the AMBER Alert and Silver Alert, which do not always account for the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Faraci’s measure would establish a Golden Search Task Force, which would work to implement a statewide awareness program in coordination with the Endangered Missing Person Advisory. This initiative would help educate communities, law enforcement and organizations that support individuals with disabilities, making certain they know how to recognize and respond when someone with developmental disabilities goes missing.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is announcing a new state program that will help all Illinois college students prepare for graduate school and in-demand careers.

“It is unfortunate to see gifted students’ dreams and career choices limited simply because they can’t afford the classes that would prepare them for graduate school entrance exams or for professional license exams,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “I am pleased to see Illinois making this $10 million investment to help our best and brightest succeed regardless of their ability to pay for graduate and professional prep classes.”

The Prepare for Illinois' Future Program is the result of a commitment by the State of Illinois, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and leading global education company Kaplan to provide free test preparation courses to students enrolled in Illinois’ public universities as well as five community colleges. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has already onboarded the program.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation from State Senator Paul Faraci making it easier for Illinois park districts and municipal recreation departments to hire young workers for seasonal jobs and youth sports programs was signed into law.

“This change will give young people more opportunities to gain valuable work experience while helping our local park districts and recreation departments meet their seasonal staffing needs,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “It’s a win-win for our communities and teens looking to take their first steps in the workforce.”

Faraci’s measure will allow minors to work summer jobs – such as lifeguards or referees – for Illinois park districts and recreational departments without a 21-year-old present, as long as an 18-year-old is on-site and no alcohol or tobacco is being sold on the premises. It will also allow minors to officiate youth sporting events, as long as a 21-year-old supervisor is on-call.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is advancing legislation to make it easier for Illinois park districts and municipal recreation departments to hire young workers for seasonal jobs and youth sports programs.

“This measure removes unnecessary barriers that make it harder for teens to gain work experience and park districts to run summer programs,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “It’s a win for families, young workers and our communities.”

Faraci’s measure would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work summer jobs – such as lifeguards or referees – for Illinois park districts and recreational departments without a 21-year-old present, as long as an 18-year-old is on-site and no alcohol or tobacco is being sold on the premises. It would also allow minors to officiate youth sporting events, as long as a 21-year-old supervisor is on-call.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is continuing his efforts to improve access to mental health care for veterans and first responders through legislation aimed at strengthening recent reforms.

“First responders and veterans deserve unrestricted access to the care they need to protect their mental health,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This measure ensures there’s no uncertainty about who is covered under this law and reinforces our commitment to improving mental health access in Illinois.”

Earlier this year, Faraci sponsored Senate Bill 2737 to ensure first responders and veterans can seek mental health care from providers of their choice by limiting the impact of non-compete clauses in employment contracts. The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, was prompted by concerns from a mental health provider who was sued for providing health care services to a firefighter under a non-compete clause.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci has introduced legislation to prohibit carbon capture and sequestration activities over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to over 500,000 residents across 14 counties in East Central Illinois.

“The Mahomet Aquifer is a lifeline for many residents, and while carbon sequestration can play a role in addressing climate change, we need to ensure it doesn’t put our community’s water at risk,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This measure is about exercising caution to protect the health and safety of our residents and safeguarding this crucial resource for our future generations.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure to give veterans and first responders access to mental health providers of their choice was signed into law.

“As we see the federal government start to crack down on non-compete agreements, it’s important that we stay ahead of the curve in Illinois,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “The goal of this initiative is to expand access for veterans and first responders who want to receive mental health treatment from the licensed professional of their choice.”

The measure was brought to Senator Faraci because a mental health provider was sued for providing health care services to a firefighter under a non-compete clause. These clauses are common when a mental health professional leaves their place of employment; often times their contract contains a non-compete clause, leaving them unable to provide services within a 50-mile radius for two years. Police, fire and veteran organizations often want to contract mental health professionals that have a shared background or an establishment of trust with the organization, making these non-compete clauses detrimental to mental health care access for first responders and veterans. In the 52nd District, a non-compete clause would not only prevent a mental health counselor from providing services in Champaign, but it would also stop them from providing services in surrounding communities, including Urbana, Rantoul and Danville.