SPRINGFIELD– Taxpayers would have a better understanding of the work of government boards  under a proposed law state Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced today.

“Good government requires transparency and accountability. It’s our duty to hold administrations accountable and keep people informed,” said Bennett.

His proposal, Senate Bill 1339, does two things.

First, it requires government boards to post video on their websites of the board meeting within 24 hours. This would apply to boards where the governor appoints at least one member that is confirmed by the Senate.

“This simply makes it easier for taxpayers to access public information,” Bennett said. “The technology is readily available today to make this possible and affordable.”

Second, Bennett’s proposal would require those boards to post its public meeting agenda at least 72 hours prior to the meeting, except in cases of emergencies. The current posting requirement is only 48 hours.

SB 1339 passed the Senate’s Executive Committee with bipartisan support and moves to the full Senate for consideration.

URBANA- State Senator Scott Bennett and State Representative Carol Ammons will be hosting a joint town hall meeting to update residents on their first 60 days in office.  

The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13 in the Urbana City Council Chambers at 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana.

Senator Bennett and Representative Ammons will provide area residents with news on budget proposals, protecting the Mahomet Aquifer, higher education funding and new legislation.

If you are unable to attend please feel free to send Senator Bennett an email with any questions or concerns.

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).