CHAMPAIGN – Illinois taxpayers will benefit from a new law that encourages state pension funds to regularly review their rolls for deceased recipients.

The measure, an initiative of Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), gives the funds until Jan. 1, 2017, to implement a process to identify deceased annuitants at least once a month.

“We need to do whatever we can to end the waste of taxpayer dollars,” Bennett said. “This is one simple way for the state to save money and promote the responsible use of funds.”

It is unclear how many state pension payments are made to deceased annuitants in Illinois because each pension fund tracks death-related overpayments differently.  

Under the new law (House Bill 6030), the review process can include using a third-party company, Social Security Administration data or other available data, as well as any other method that is commonly used by other state retirement systems.

In 2015, Better Government Association published a report that alleged various Illinois public retirement systems were paying annuities to deceased people.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Scott Bennett’s (D-Champaign) measure to address computer science education studies in Illinois was signed into law today.

While touring Vermilion County companies, Bennett continued to hear about hiring struggles in the region.

“There are real jobs here at home,” Bennett said.  “However, our workforce isn’t always able to meet the needs of our local employers.”

House Bill 5720 creates the Taskforce on Computer Science Education to analyze the current state of computer science education in Illinois and make recommendations to increase computer science education in Illinois schools.

While touring Watchfire Signs in Danville, Bennett took some time to meeting with AnnMarie Cross, Director of Human Resources who is having problems finding qualified job applicants with a computer science background.

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RANTOUL - Working to bring state services to residents in Rantoul, State Senator Scott Bennett (D–Champaign) and his staff will be at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce building on Tuesday, August 9.  

Bennett’s office holds office hours the second Tuesday of every month to assist residents with state and local issues.

Bennett’s staff will be present to help Rantoul residents with concealed carry applications, inquiries with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, health care, veteran or disability issues, Medicare paperwork, foreclosure prevention assistance and much more.

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CHAMPAIGN - The Senate’s Committee on Agriculture will be seeing a new face in leadership. An announcement from Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Cunningham appoints State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) as Vice-Chairperson of Agriculture.

“Senator Bennett has continued to show a passion for promoting agriculture throughout his community and the state,” Cunningham said. “He understands the important role agriculture plays in our state’s economy and will be an asset to the committee as vice chairman.”

Bennett has been serving on the committee for the last two years. He is excited for an opportunity to steer and promote agriculture policies in the senate.

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