GOERGETOWN – Local residents were given the opportunity to participate in discussion and get questions answered thanks to a town hall hosted by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) Tuesday.

Senator Bennett continued his series of town hall meetings Tuesday night at Georgetown City Hall, giving attendees the opportunity to voice their concerns and receive a legislative update from fall veto session.

“The town halls continue my efforts to maintain an open dialogue with my constituents about what I am doing to represent them while in Springfield,” Bennett said. “Last night was a great opportunity to provide an update on issues we have been working on.” 

The General Assembly tackled a number of important issues during veto session this past month, including ethics reform, capping insulin costs and strengthening coal ash pollution protections.

Bennett passed legislation through the Senate that addressed unresolved issues with the coal ash legislation that would keep coal ash out of the water. The legislation now indicates who is responsible for conducting cleanup in the event of a coal ash spill – and how those involved in cleanup will be protected from exposure to toxic chemicals.

“If members of the community are willing to take time out of their day to attend a town hall meeting, I want it to be as informative and worthwhile as possible,” Bennett said.

An additional town hall meeting will be held Nov. 20 at Rantoul Township High School (200 S. Sheldon St., Rantoul). Bennett looks forward to presenting a legislative update and urges residents to visit SenatorBennett.com to stay up to date on events his office is hosting this winter.

CHAMPAIGN – Local residents were given the opportunity to participate in discussion and get questions answered thanks to a town hall hosted by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) on Monday.

Senator Bennett kicked off his series of town hall meetings with State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) Monday night at the Illinois Terminal, giving attendees the opportunity to discuss their concerns and receive a legislative update from fall veto session.

“The town halls continue my efforts to maintain an open dialogue with my constituents about what I am doing to represent them while in Springfield,” Bennett said. “Last night was a great opportunity to provide an update on issues we have been working on.” 

There are a number of important issues the General Assembly tackled during veto session this past month, including ethics reform, capping insulin costs and strengthening coal ash pollution protections.

Bennett passed legislation through the Senate that addressed unresolved issues with the coal ash legislation that would keep coal ash out of our water. The legislation now indicates who is responsible for conducting cleanup in the event of a coal ash spill – and how those involved in cleanup will be protected from exposure to toxic chemicals. Ammons will carry the bill through the House early this spring.

Additional town hall meetings will be held on Nov. 19 at Georgetown City Hall (208 S. Walnut St., Georgetown) and Nov. 20 at Rantoul Township High School (200 S. Sheldon St., Rantoul).

Bennett looks forward to presenting a legislative update and urges residents to visit SenatorBennett.com to stay up to date on events his office is hosting this winter.

CHAMPAIGN - To help boost supplies at local shelters during the cold winter months, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is launching a warm socks drive.

From Nov. 15 to Dec. 16, community members are encouraged to donate unused socks for men, women and children at the collection locations above.       

“Cold weather is upon us,” Senator Bennett said. “We need to consider our friends without permanent addresses during this time and help those whose feet work overtime when there is no home to return to.”

Socks are a greatly needed item at shelters, but are the least donated clothing item to those in need. Most individuals wear out their own socks before throwing them away, meaning homeless individuals are at a serious risk of foot disease and, during winter months, in severe danger from the cold when there are battered socks on their feet.

“Most of us take warm, clean footwear for granted,” Bennett said. “But to those that don’t have them, they can make all the difference in the world.”

Donations will benefit C-U at Home, Austin’s Place, Crosspoint at the Y Homeless Program, Danville Rescue Mission and Fair Hope Children’s Ministry.

SPRINGFIELD – To continue efforts to protect Illinois communities from toxic coal ash pollution, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) addressed unresolved issues with the legislation passed in the spring.

Senator Bennett passed legislation to keep coal ash out of our water earlier this year. This new law directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to begin a rule-making process to require power plant operators to safely dispose of coal ash or ensure that pits are properly enclosed, impose fees on coal ash pits to pay the costs of hiring IEPA staff to oversee enforcement, and require power plant operators to set aside money to pay for cleaning up pits in the event a plant is shut down or a company goes bankrupt.

“The bill itself was about being proactive for our future generations,” Bennett said. “It provides the protections, regulations and financial assurances to prevent coal ash crises from happening in Illinois.” 

Numerous negotiations took place between labor and industry, as well as the IEPA and environmental organizations. It was agreed that a trailer bill would be introduced to address some lingering issues with the bill regarding insurance and training provisions. This trailer bill indicates who is responsible for conducting cleanup in the event of a coal ash spill – and how those involved in cleanup will be protected from exposure to toxic chemicals.

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