CHAMPAIGN – In an effort to keep community members warm this winter, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is seeking community support to donate to his warm socks drive. 

From Nov. 15 to Dec. 16, community members are encouraged to donate unused socks for men, women and children at the collection locations below:

• Illinois Terminal Building (45 E. University Ave., Suite 206, Champaign)
• U of I Campus
     o Illini Union (ISG, Suite 250, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana)
     o Wesley Church (1203 West Green St., Urbana)
• Rural King (913 W. Marketview Dr., Champaign)
• Blain’s Farm & Fleet (2701 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana)
• Sen. Scott Bennett’s District Office (201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323, Danville)
• Georgetown Public Library (102 W. West St., Georgetown)
• Stock + And Field (Former Big R-Stock & Field-North Store) (3363 N. Vermilion St., Danville) 

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RANTOUL – In an effort to provide assistance to residents concerning state and local issues, area legislators and staff will be available to meet with community members Thursday.

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian), as well as staff, will be at the Rantoul Chamber of Commerce (120 E. Sangamon Ave., Rantoul) on Thursday, Dec. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. to kick off their Rantoul office hours.

Senator Bennett and Representative Marron’s staff will host regular office hours the second Thursday of every month to meet with community members and assist with state and local services.

“This is a great opportunity for those seeking assistance or would like to share their concerns and input on vital issues that greatly impact all,” Bennett said. “We want to ensure state services are easily accessible to everyone.”

Bennett encourages residents to keep up on events his office is hosting by visiting SenatorBennett.com or by calling his Champaign office at 217-355-5252.

SPRINGFIELD – Farmers who planted cover crops this past fall are encouraged to submit an application to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) to receive a discounted crop insurance rate in spring 2020, under the cover crop discount program promoted by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

This program allows eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

“Cover crops are an important part of preserving agriculture,” Bennett said. “As Senate Agriculture chair, I am encouraged by this program and that it represents another resource to farmers to help ensure the success of Illinois’ agriculture economy.”

IDOA worked with Senator Bennett and State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) to make this program possible. The goal of the program is to promote additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. This is only applicable for those with coverage through the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) crop insurance program.

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CHAMPAIGN – To inform and educate local residents on the latest frauds and scams, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hosting a fraud prevention seminar.

Senator Bennett is partnering with Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s Office to host two informational Silver Beats Seminars on Monday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Danville Public Library (319 N. Vermilion St., Danville) and another at 2 p.m. at the Champaign Public Library (200 W. Green St. #5193, Champaign).

Bennett is encouraging area residents to join him to learn about how to stay vigilant against identity theft, check credit reports and file consumer fraud complaints.

“The seminar will teach seniors how to avoid imposter scams, robocalls, payment mechanism and identity theft,” Bennett said. “Join me and learn how to protect yourself.”

The seminar is free for area residents. Bennett recommends people to call his office at 217-355-5252 to RSVP.