SPRINGFIELD- The Mahomet Aquifer serves as the primary water supply for 15 counties across Central Illinois including Champaign and Vermilion counties.  State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced Senate Bill 1698 to protect residents across Central Illinois from contaminated drinking water.
 
“The Mahomet Aquifer serves as a lifeline for our region. It’s our duty to protect this important resource for the sake of our children and generations to come,” said Bennett. “This proposal will further the mission of the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Alliance by instituting guidelines to protect our underground water source.”

The Mahomet Aquifer Protection Alliance is a group of Central Illinois citizens who are committed to keeping the Mahomet Aquifer free of contamination. Local communities across central Illinois have banded together to fight the disposal of dangerous toxins at the Clinton Landfill, which sits atop the Aquifer.

As a result of their efforts, last year the Mahomet Aquifer was designated as a Sole Source Aquifer, which provides federal protection.  

Representative Carol Ammons has introduced similar legislation in the House. Bennett and Ammons will continue to work together to find an equitable solution to protect the aquifer from contamination.

SB 1698 passed the Senate’s Committee on Public Health and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

CHAMPAIGN- State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is circulating a petition and collecting stories to stop a devastating $209 million cut to the University of Illinois in the Governor Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget.
 
Bennett launched the petition today to urge the governor to consider the human cost associated with slashing the university’s budget.
 
“The University of Illinois is a vital resource not only to our community but for the entire state of Illinois. I’m asking the governor to consider the long-term effects of drastic cuts to higher education funding,” said Bennett. “These cuts will result in lost opportunities and students graduating Illinois’ public universities with higher amounts of debt- this is unacceptable.”
 
The proposed cuts to funding could result in steep decreases to student services, increased time to complete degrees, larger class sizes and drastic increases in tuition costs and fees.  
 
“We should be looking for ways to make college more affordable for working families and children,” said Bennett. “Education increases opportunities for students and drives our economy. If we want to continue to grow as a state we need to continue to make investments in opportunities for our children.”     
 
Bennett will be traveling the district this week with a copy of the petition during his town hall meetings and Capitol on Your Corner events in Gifford, Rantoul, Tilton, Champaign, Georgetown and Danville.
 
If you are unable to make it to one of the events, the petition is available online at www.SenatorBennett.com (on the right side of the website).

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Rauner’s Budget Address.

“The University of Illinois is an economic engine – not only for our local economy but for the entire state of Illinois. The governor’s proposed cuts will drastically drive up tuition costs for working families and put the university at a competitive disadvantage with our neighboring schools. During a time when, we should be looking for ways to make college more affordable, the governor is proposing we take away opportunities for our children and community.”

SPRINGFIELD- New State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) continues to travel across the 52nd District this month, hosting town hall meetings and “Capitol on your Corner” events throughout Champaign and Vermilion counties.

“I have enjoyed meeting with community leaders and residents during my first month in office.  I look forward to continuing to meet with more people to hear about their concerns and priorities for our communities to help me better represent the 52nd District in Springfield,” said Bennett. “I invite everyone to come out and let me know their thoughts on the important issues we face.”

Throughout the next year, Bennett plans to visit every community in the 52nd District.

The February schedule is as follows:

• Gifford: Capitol on Your Corner, February 24 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Bibbs Country Restaurant (204 S. Main St., Gifford)
• Rantoul: Town Hall Meeting, February 24 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rantoul Recreation Department (100 E. Flessner Ave., Rantoul)
• Tilton: Capitol on Your Corner, February 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilton Village Hall (1001 Tilton Rd., Tilton)
• Champaign: Town Hall Meeting, February 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Robeson Pavilion Room C, Champaign Public Library (200 W. Green St., Champaign)
• Georgetown: Capitol on Your Corner, February 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Georgetown City Hall (208 S. Walnut St., Georgetown)
• Danville: Town Hall Meeting, February 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at CRIS Aging Center (309 N. Franklin St., Danville)

Stay up to date by subscribing to Senator Bennett’s e-newsletter for more details.