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.

CHICAGO—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is developing a legislative agenda to help Black communities in Illinois overcome centuries of oppression.

Recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and persistent police killings, have highlighted staggering disparities that have made it clear that comprehensive reform is crucial to end systemic racism.

ILBC Chairman Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) says the caucus seeks to bring justice to Black Illinoisans.

“African Americans have been held down by systems of oppression since our ancestors were enslaved 400 years ago,” Lightford said. “We are still enslaved, shackled by unemployment, police brutality and a severe lack of resources. The Black Caucus seeks to uplift our communities by demanding fair treatment from our institutions and finally receiving fairness and justice.”

ROCKFORD – With only weeks left before the U.S. Census Bureau finishes its counting efforts, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is stressing the importance of Winnebago County residents being counted by filling out the 2020 Census, which will protect their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is one of the primary tools the federal government uses to decide how much money will be given to the Rockford area,” Stadelman said. “Filling out the census has never been easier with the new online questionnaire option. It took me 10 minutes to fill out for my entire family.”

So far this year, Rockford’s self-response rate is down, currently only at 67.7%. As of Aug. 28, Winnebago County’s self-response rate is currently 73.7%. More than half of the county’s residents’ responses have been submitted online.

“If Rockford is undercounted, it will receive less money, less representation and less influence across the state and country,” Stadelman said. “It’s our job to make sure we’re all counted.”

Although online is the quickest way to fill out the questionnaire, there are three ways you can respond: online, by phone or by mail. Stadelman also pointed out that 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 the health of themselves and their families at risk from COVID-19.

If someone hasn’t filled out their census questionnaire yet, they can visit 2020census.gov, where they can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. You can see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation here.

SPRINGFIELD — After a Senate hearing Thursday about transparency and equity at the Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT and other members of the Mid-America Association of State Transportation Agencies voted to establish a diversity committee. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) praised the decision in the following statement:

“For years, we’ve heard serious complaints about acts of discrimination at IDOT. Thursday, we gave Secretary Omer Osman the opportunity to respond to these allegations, and I’m happy to see that he’s taken them seriously.

“The establishment of this diversity committee is a start, but it will not be enough to fix the issues on its own. I’m looking forward to seeing policies that result in us hearing less and less discrimination complaints.

“I hope to see the organization implement more opportunities for people of color statewide, both in employment and mobility.”

SPRINGFIELD – With the deadline to complete the 2020 Census looming, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) joined with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, Macoupin County Public Health Department, and local elected officials at a press conference this morning to encourage residents of Macoupin County to complete the 2020 census.

“Completing the census is a simple step people can take to help their neighbors,” Manar said. “An accurate census count gives our communities a chance to properly maintain the quality of our roads, schools, hospitals, and other programs people rely on. Every last dollar is going to count as we continue to navigate our way through the COVID-19 crisis.”

Nine municipalities in Macoupin County have a response rate of 60% or higher:

• Brighton: 76.7%
• Staunton: 75.2%
• Carlinville: 75.1%
• Bunker Hill: 73.5%
• Olive: 72.2%
• Gillespie: 70%
• Virden: 69.4 %
• Benld: 66.5%
• Girard: 60.7%

“Census information is used to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to communities all across the country,” Paula Campbell, Associate Director of Health Equity for the Illinois Primary Health Care Association said. “The results will show where communities need new schools, new health clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.”

The Macoupin County Public Health Department has staff dedicated to helping people through the census completion process who can be reached by phone at (217) 854-3223.

“I appreciate the people who’ve already taken a few minutes to get counted, but we have so much more work to do before the Sept. 30 deadline,” Manar said.

Residents can also complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov.

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.

CHICAGO – As COVID-19 continues to spread, State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) encourages people to get tested if they have symptoms or come in contact with someone who is positive.

“To stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities, people who have symptoms need to get tested,” Jones said. “The process of being tested for the virus is simple, and there are sites across the state. I encourage people to get tested to prevent them from potentially passing on the virus to others.” 

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 that people who are asymptomatic for the virus can still 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.

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

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, times, and requirements can be found at www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

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.