CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Campaign) is excited to announce that the Illinois Arts Council awarded the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign a grant of $16,200 for broadcast operations at WILL radio and television.

Illinois Public Media will use the grant to serve communities in Central Illinois with quality, commercial-free educational programming.

“I am thrilled that this grant will allow Illinois Public Media to continue to break new grounds and bring news every day to families in Central Illinois,” Bennett said. “WILL has always done an excellent job keeping citizens informed and engaged with the issues that matter in our communities. Their broadcasting consistently provides knowledge for political action, fosters talk that leads to solutions and inspires cultural and local engagement.”

CHAMPAIGN – To help people throughout his district reduce their utility bills, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) will be hosting a free workshop with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB).

Bennett will be hosting workshops in Urbana and Danville on Wednesday, January 17. The first workshop will be held at Urbana Public Library (210 W. Green St. Urbana) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second workshop of the day will be at Danville Public Library from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“These workshops will be helpful to anyone the community who is interested in learning how to reduce their utility bills,” Bennett said.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their gas, electric and phone bills for a free individual consultation with one of CUB’s experts who will provide information on spotting billing errors and incentives designed to help people improve energy efficiency.

To register for the CUB workshop, call (217) 355-5252 or fill out the online registration at www.senatorbennett.com.

CUB Workshop in Urbana:
Date: Wednesday, January 17
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Urbana Free Library (210 West Green St., Urbana, IL 61801)

CUB Workshop in Danville:
Date: Wednesday, January 17
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Danville Public Library (319 N. Vermillion St., Danville, IL 61832)

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is excited to announce that families in Champaign will soon have a brand new park equipped with soccer fields, a multipurpose field, a multi-purpose path and parking.

Champaign Park District was awarded $137,000 through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

“Local parks are an essential part of a happy and healthy city,” Bennett said. “I’m thrilled that this grant will provide more beautiful green spaces and great community programs for my family, friends and neighbors.”

Champaign Park District will be using the grant for the acquisition of Human Kinetics Park, a 5.6 acre park that is privately owned but currently leased to the park district.

The LCWF grant program, administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources, provides up to 50 percent of the cost of projects to help purchase land to be used for public access and recreation.

The LWCF grant program began in 1965 and, prior to this year, awarded more than $126 million 733 park projects in Illinois.

CHAMPAIGN – Last week, the United States Senate passed a sweeping overhaul of the tax code that will touch almost every corner of the economy, affecting families, small business owners and teachers in the 52nd district.

“This is the federal government’s biggest tax rewrite in decades. And who will it help? Corporations and the one percent,” said State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). “The biggest benefits of this tax plan are going to flow to the wealthiest at the expense of hardworking Illinois families and that is unacceptable.”

Under the tax plan, Republicans in Congress are slashing the tax rates of those who can afford to pay them. They are also debating to eliminate a $250 tax credit that allows teachers, principals or teachers’ aides to write off classroom supplies that they buy with their own money.

According to Bennett, this is especially concerning because a 2013 study by the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that 99.5 percent of teachers use their own money on school supplies, spending $485 on average in one school year.

“If they remove this tax credit, Washington will be sending a slap in the face to Illinois teachers who work tirelessly every day to educate our children,” Bennett said. “We need to be finding more ways to show our support to teachers, not taking away the small token of appreciation that we have to give them.”

The tax plan now heads to a Congressional conference committee. Bennett is urging members of Congress to vote against this proposal.