CHAMPAIGN – The annual Conservation Achievement Scholarship is now accepting applications, and State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) urges eligible Illinois high school seniors to apply.

The Conservation Achievement Scholarship will award up to four scholarships of $2,000 each to outstanding high school seniors in Illinois who demonstrate effective, voluntary, long-term dedication to the preservation, protection or enhancement of the state’s natural resources.

“I encourage high school seniors interested in conservation stewardship and protecting our natural resources to apply for this scholarship,” said Bennett, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “This scholarship opportunity is a chance to help students lessen the burden of college debt and will help you achieve your post-secondary educational goals.”

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CHAMPAIGN – Prospective students applying to any of Illinois’ 12 public universities can now use the Common Application, and Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging incoming students to take advantage.

Bennett worked with his colleagues in the General Assembly and the Illinois Board of Higher Education to obtain $1 million in funding to add all of the state’s public universities onto the Common App platform so that students in Illinois will consider continuing their educational journey at home.

“The Common App allows students to apply to multiple schools with a single application, including the University of Illinois, making Illinois even more accessible to our students,” Bennett said. “This decision gives our students right here in Illinois the ability to stay on course with their post-secondary dreams.”

For students and families concerned about the cost of applying for college, waivers are available for low-income Common App applicants, with some colleges and universities either have no application fees or will waive fees if needed.

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DANVILLE – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) encourages people to help lift up veterans across the state by asking service organizations, volunteers and others to write friendly letters to veterans’ home residents ahead of Veterans Day.

“Veterans Day is an opportunity for us all to say thank you to our veterans that honorably served our country,” Bennett said. “Sending a letter is a wonderful gesture that can help make a veteran feel special and connected. Let’s show our appreciation to these heroes by writing letters.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.

The campaign will focus on the veterans’ homes in Illinois, located in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. To send a message to a veteran or a veterans’ home, visit Send-a-note. Locations for each of the veterans’ homes in Illinois can be found here if someone would rather send a physical letter.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) sponsored a bill to recognize the month of November as Native American Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Native American Heritage Month is a tremendous opportunity for Illinoisans to learn more about the rich history of the first Americans,” Bennett said.

Native Americans, who were the first inhabitants of the U.S., have helped shape American culture through food, medicine, literature and the arts. A dedicated month would provide the opportunity to highlight these contributions, raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and focus on stories of the ways in which Native Americans have worked to conquer these challenges.

“This month gives us the chance to pay tribute to the contributions and influences of Native Americans,” Bennett said. “After all, it’s the least we can do for a people who laid the foundation for our country.”

Bennett encourages people across the state to recognize the influences of Native Americans on American history, achievement, culture and innovation during the month of November.