Caucus News

CHAMPAIGN - State Senator Paul Faraci has introduced Senate Bill 1752, which aims to reduce the number of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services database.

The PUNS list currently has 14,806 individuals who want or need Developmental Disability Waiver Services. As funding becomes available, individuals are selected from PUNS to apply for the waiver. However, the demand for these services far outweighs the available funding, leaving many individuals waiting for years to receive the assistance they need.

"The PUNS list has been a concern of mine for many years, and I am thrilled to introduce this bill that will help reduce the backlog of individuals waiting for developmental disability waiver services," said Faraci (D-Champaign). "Every person on the list is someone who needs help, and it's our duty to ensure that they receive the support they require to live a happy and fulfilling life."

CHAMPAIGN— State Senator Paul Faraci urges the governor to ensure the University of Illinois’ Board of Trustees reflects the diversity of the university and will represent the values of the community.

Faraci (D-Champaign) emphasizes the need for Governor JB Pritzker to appoint qualified candidates to fill the vacancies created by former State Representative Naomi Jakobsson and Stuart King who both recently resigned

“My hope is that the governor will put forth candidates for the appointments who not only reflect the diversity of our community, but understand the needs and priorities of the University of Illinois and our region,” Faraci said. “The University of Illinois provides students with an excellent education and serves as an economic driver for the state. We need to ensure our board is made up of trustees that will make decisions to protect the rights of our students, faculty and staff.”

DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College is set to receive $302,000 in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs in the trades, State Senator Paul Faraci announced Monday.

“Pre-apprenticeship programs play a vital role in our skilled labor force,” Faraci (D-Champaign) said. “This funding will provide opportunities for individuals interested in starting a career in the trades.” 

A total of $13 million awarded to 29 organizations will help support pre-apprenticeship training programs across the state. This funding will increase the talent pool of candidates from all backgrounds.