CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is awarding a planning grant to the Champaign County Systemic Safety Evaluation Tool project, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Tuesday.

“I am thrilled we have secured these funds for Champaign County,” Bennett said. “This grant will enhance safety, improve livability and support economic development in our community.”

Champaign County will use the grant to develop an interactive map of the local road network to show assessed level of risk for safety incidents.

The grants are designed to advance the objectives of IDOT’s Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan page. Among the criteria considered were plans that implement asset management strategies and performance-based planning and programming, as well as activities that grow and support economically distressed areas.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that we strengthen opportunities for economic growth and job creation,” Bennett said. “Securing vital infrastructure will allow our community to thrive and prosper.”

IDOT awarded 52 grants totaling more than $38 million to support the planning efforts of long-range transportation projects across the state.

INDIANOLA – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced this week that a more than $25,000 grant has been awarded to the Carroll Township Fire Protection District as part of the state’s Small Equipment Grant Program.

“We need our firefighters in good equipment to go out and save lives,” Bennett said. “Funding is already difficult for rural volunteer fire departments, and this grant is a great opportunity to help with the deficit in funds for much needed equipment.”

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded the grant to give Illinois first responders the opportunity to replace or upgrade aging equipment they may otherwise not be able to purchase.

The program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in the state, particularly those that struggle to generate the necessary revenue for small equipment, such as air-packs and portable radios.

In total, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded $3.5 million in grants to 154 fire departments, fire districts and EMS providers. A complete list of grant recipients can be found here.

CHAMPAIGN - To support dairy farmers and dairy-related businesses with financial and technical support, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is promoting the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA).

DBIA, a joint effort coordinated by the Center for Dairy Research and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, was designed to support and promote the diversification and addition of value-added products to the Midwest dairy industry.

Goals of the program include increasing on-farm diversification, creating value-added dairy products, such as specialty cheeses, and focusing on export opportunities for farm-scale and processor dairy products.

“These grants are designed to foster innovation,” Senator Bennett said. “It’s my hope this program can be used to improve the future for dairy farmers and processors.”

The grant application period is now open. Funds totaling $220,000 will be disbursed and awarded with individual projects receiving up to $20,000. The deadline to complete and return applications is Aug. 14. Selected producers and business owners will be notified on Sept. 4.

For questions or additional information, call DBIA at 608-265-1491 or visit https://turbo.cdr.wisc.edu/dairy-business-innovation-alliance/.

CHAMPAIGN – In an effort to be more eco-friendly, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging residents to sign up for the secretary of state’s Email Renewal Notice program.

During the pandemic, facilities expanded their online driver’s services to continue to provide essential services to vehicle owners. Through the Email Renewal Notice program, vehicle owners will receive email notices highlighting the upcoming vehicle expiration date of their vehicle and have a more mobile customer experience.

“This program is an easy and convenient alternative to paper statements,” Bennett said. “One of the great benefits of this program is to help reduce paper and conserve resources. It’s also one less item with personal information sitting in your mailbox.”

To register for the program, vehicle owners will need their assigned registration ID and PIN, which can be found on their current vehicle registration card. For those who do not have a renewal notice, they are encouraged to call the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980 to obtain their Registration ID and PIN.

For additional information, please visit the secretary of state’s website at https://ilsos.gov/greenmail/.