SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Oakwood High School and Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School FFA chapters joined Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett at the Illinois State Capitol today.

“For decades, FFA has been fundamental to agricultural education in Illinois and across the country,” Bennett (D-Champaign) said. “Today’s FFA not only trains future farmers, it also helps prepare the next generation of scientists, veterinarians and business owners. It is always a pleasure to meet these bright and talented young men and women.”

The students were at the Capitol for Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day. This annual advocacy day brings FFA students, farm, agricultural commodity organizations and other agricultural interest groups to Springfield to meet state lawmakers, share the agricultural community’s priorities for the year and offer feedback about policies concerning agriculture, business, conservation, education and more.

SPRINGFIELD – A plan by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) would protect the identifying information of a victim in the middle of a sexual assault investigation.

“Privacy and confidentiality matter for victims of sexual assault,” Bennett said. “In this case, transparency can actually be a barrier to keep people from coming forward about sexual assault. This bill will help maintain confidentiality so that victims have peace of mind while they seek justice.”

Senate Bill 2133 intends to change the definition of “private information” in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include the name and any identifying information of a victim in a sexual assault investigation. Currently, the private information of a victim is not protected from private attorneys and media submitting FOIA requests.

As a former prosecutor, Bennett has used his experiences to push for legislation to assist survivors of sexual assault. He is also the sponsor of a 2017 law that eliminated the statute of limitations on sexual crimes against children.

SB 2133 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for consideration in the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) welcomed the players and coaching staff of the Schlarman Academy girls’ basketball team to the Illinois Capitol today to recognize their second consecutive state title.

Bennett was joined on the Senate floor by the players and Head Coach Keith Peoples as he presented the team with a special tribute honoring their accomplishment.

 “Two consecutive championships is an outstanding achievement,” Bennett said. “I am honored to recognize these incredible young women who have put in a tremendous amount of hard work this season on and off the court. They have not only played hard, but they have represented Danville and Vermilion County with dignity and respect, and have raised the bar for future teams.”

Last month, the Lady Hilltoppers won their IHSA Class 1A State Championship Game with a 63-36 triumph over Lanark Eastland bringing home Danville’s second state title.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) was joined by Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan today to address the issue of farm chemical runoff polluting Illinois waterways.

“We are on the right path, but more work remains to be done,” Bennett said. “With a science-based model as a guide, I am hopeful that we can make even more significant water quality improvements.”

Sullivan provided testimony in the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee to support Senate Resolution 52, sponsored by Bennett. It calls for further steps in a plan to protect water quality by limiting nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from agricultural operations – nutrients with important beneficial effects in farming but with potentially harmful environmental consequences. The effort to protect water quality in Illinois ultimately would benefit the Mississippi River environment all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient runoff has contributed to a dead zone.

Developed in 2015, the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is a collaborative effort between Illinois’ Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture and a broad group of stakeholders like the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, all committed to protecting and conserving state natural resources.

“The progress that has been made by the State of Illinois and the stakeholders of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy over the last few years has been remarkable,” Sullivan said. “I’m pleased to see the General Assembly take an active role and support the agriculture industry’s efforts to implement best management practices and new technologies in order to reduce nutrient loss in the state. I look forward to working with all involved to continue this effort in Illinois.”

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