SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) released the following statement today on Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed 2019-20 budget:

“I share Governor Pritzker’s belief that education is a jobs creator, and a priority for support. There is no better way to build for the future than by investing in our educational institutions and workforce development.

“Strengthening our public schools and enhancing career and technical training will connect the underemployed with high-wage, high-skilled jobs and provide our youth with more educational opportunities to excel.

“I am also encouraged to see the Governor’s commitment to rebuild after the damage inflicted on higher education in our state over the last four years. Increasing investments into the MAP program in particular is an excellent way to keep the best and brightest in our state.

“At first glance, this is a solid first step in restoring stability to our state, but I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and the Governor to ensure that we address the needs of working families in Champaign and Vermilion Counties and throughout the state.”

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) co-hosted a community discussion Monday with State Representative Carol Ammons on the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Participants heard from a panel of experts, public health officials, lawmakers and law enforcement on the process of legalizing cannabis for recreational use in Illinois.

The panelists touched on the recreational cannabis industry, the medical cannabis industry, the licensing of growers and distributors and the role of public health toward legalized cannabis.

“The legalization of cannabis is a very complicated topic, and it’s important that any legislation we pass in the future includes community input,” Bennett said. “I appreciate everyone who came out and offered us feedback in order to help us make informed decisions in Springfield.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve legislation that will raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 per hour over the course of six years:

“Since the day I was sworn in to the Senate, I have pledged to do all I can to help make lives easier for families across Champaign and Vermilion Counties. By increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 for the majority of workers, we are achieving the goal of lifting working families up to improve their quality of life.

“Workers with full-time jobs should never be forced to live in poverty. Minimum wage workers are employed in many of the service jobs that are vital to the care of the most vulnerable and in jobs that serve the public. They deserve a fair wage that respects the work they do in service to others.

“Putting the minimum wage on a clear and responsible path toward $15 an hour will provide Illinois’ hardest workers with dignity, fairness and stability.”

The legislation is Senate Bill 1. Having passed the Senate, it moves to the House for consideration.