PEORIA – The Illinois Library Association presented State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) with the Robert R. McClarren Legislative Development Award at their annual conference on Tuesday.

The award is given to a worthy recipient from the Illinois library community who has contributed significantly to legislative development in Illinois.

“Serving a broad constituency, Bennett has balanced political ideology with the needs and opinions of his constituents,” said the Illinois Library Association’s release. “In his short time in the legislature, he has shown himself to be a strong supporter of education and library issues.”

Bennett was a Trustee on the Urbana Free Library board from December 2010 through September 2014, and more recently was the primary sponsor of legislation on local library appropriations.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Illinois Library Association,” Bennett said. “Libraries are essential to our communities and provide access to resources and information that give people vast opportunities to learn, make decisions and expand their imagination.”

The 2018 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference Awards Luncheon was held October 9 in Peoria.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced that the Governor has issued a statewide harvest season emergency today to assist farmers and grain handlers who are grappling with the fallout of weather-related delays.

The declaration will allow farmers to apply to the Illinois Department of Transportation to get a free permit to haul 10 percent over their gross vehicle weight and axle weight limits on state highways. The aim is to help farmers get their product, when harvested, to storage faster.

“Illinois farmers work tremendously hard all year-round,” Bennett said. “This will allow us to help them transport their products efficiently. I encourage all farmers to apply for all necessary permits to allow them to move their crops in a timely manner.”

The emergency declaration is in effect from Monday, Sept. 10, to Dec. 31, 2018. The hope is that crops are collected before any major unexpected weather might complicate the process, as well.

More information is available at https://truckpermits.dot.illinois.gov/.

CHAMPAIGN – More than $215,000 in funding has been released to Parkland College to update and repair campus buildings, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Friday.

“Parkland College is an integral part of the community here in Champaign,” Bennett said. “This investment will help Parkland continue to provide a safe and secure environment for students and faculty.”

The capital funds will go to the construction of an addition to the student services center and other improvements throughout campus. The two projects, totaling $215,000, will maintain and update infrastructure.

“Nothing is more important that the health and safety for our students, and I will continue to advocate for funding so that we can provide the learning environments they deserve,” Bennett said. “I’m thrilled that Parkland received these funds from the State and can help maintain an educational environment that will help students achieve the best opportunity for success.”

The General Assembly approved the Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget in May. It includes more than $100 million to address the needs of higher education facilities to complete ongoing construction projects and begin new ones.