DANVILLE– State Senator Scott Bennett will be honoring First Baptist girls’ volleyball team for their recent Illinois Association of Christian Schools’ Division I volleyball title.

This is First Baptist’s first IACS Division I volleyball title and the first Division I title in the history of the school for any sports team.

Bennett will be recognizing the six players during a school assembly and will be presenting special Senate certificates.  First Baptist will also be unveiling a new banner to recognize this great accomplishment.

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2016

Time:  9 a.m.

Location: First Baptist School, 1211 N. Vermilion, Danville, IL

SPRINGFIELD- Without a state budget for need-based state financial aid in place, Illinois’ public universities and community colleges paid roughly $182 million to allow students to continue their education last semester. To alleviate the burden on Illinois college students and families, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed Senate Bill 2043, MAP grant funding, today.

“The state made a commitment to our students and families. It’s about time we honor our promises to fund MAP grants and make investments in our future,” Bennett said.

Senate Bill 2043 does the following:

•    MAP grants to about 128,000 low-income college students and possibly an additional 15,000 eligible students.  Majority of the additional funding would go to students attending community colleges like Danville Area Community College and Parkland College
•    Over $260 million for operation costs at community colleges
•    $49.8 million to fund career and tech education as well as GED programs throughout the state

Senate Bill 2043 passed the Senate 36-12 and will now head to the governor’s desk for consideration. 

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

“Students at Danville Area Community College just started a second semester without MAP grant funding. They are looking at us for answers. We need to push the restart button and work together to find a responsible solution.”

DANVILLE- State Senator Scott Bennett passed House Joint Resolution 99 to rename a section of Illinois Route 1 that runs from the south end of Westville to Georgetown the “Sergeant Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. Memorial Highway.”

“This resolution honors Sergeant Nichols, a proud son of Vermilion County, who gave his life in service to our country,” Bennett said. “This designation serves as a way to honor both the life and sacrifices made by Sergeant Nichols and his family.”

Sergeant Nichols is survived by his wife, Lexi; his four children, Brhyleigh, Kenneth III, Braden and Pailynn; his father, Kenneth R. Nichols; and two sisters, Lisa and Cindy. Sgt. Nichols was a 2000 graduate of Georgetown-Ridge High School.

Sergeant Nichols was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado and was serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

House Joint Resolution 99 was approved by the Senate on Jan. 13 with a 48-0 vote. A highway dedication ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. The legislation was sponsored in the Illinois House by State Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin).