SPRINGFIELD – A bill sponsored by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) to secure protections for the Mahomet Aquifer, the primary water source for Central Illinois residents, was signed into law last week.

Senate Bill 2027 directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to prioritize landfills overlying the Mahomet Aquifer for inspection.

“We all depend on environmental regulations to protect public health, and I’m grateful to the Mahomet Aquifer Task Force for helping me make sure we are playing an active role in protecting the Mahomet Aquifer,” Bennett said. “I know this tremendous group will remain vigilant and continue working to ensure that 500,000 people know the water coming out of their faucets is clean and safe to drink.”

The bill requires the IEPA to use existing information available from the state and federal agencies to identify unknown, unregulated, or under-regulated waste disposal sites that sit above the aquifer and may pose a threat to surface water or groundwater resources.

The new law also seeks to establish a pilot program at the Pekin Metro Landfill to identify potential and current threats to the water quality of the Aquifer from the landfill.

The proposed legislation comes from the recommendations of the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force, a bipartisan coalition of central Illinois lawmakers from both chambers of the General Assembly, including Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) and Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). The task force, chaired by Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen, also includes scientists from the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois Water Survey and the IEPA.

It takes effect Jan. 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal sponsored by State Senator Scott Bennett will create a hands-on agricultural teacher internship program in Illinois high schools.

Bennett (D-Champaign), who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, passed Senate Bill 1498 through the General Assembly. It requires the Illinois State Board of Education to partner with the Illinois Board of Higher Education to develop an Agricultural Education Pre-Service Internship Program to prepare high school students for a college career aimed at becoming farm sciences teachers.

“Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois and offers many job opportunities both on the farm and in related agri-businesses,” Bennett said. “The benefits of an agricultural education goes far beyond the classroom. This program will provide students opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success.”

Bennett’s legislation also provides grants to teaching students who qualify and attend a university or community college that offer an agricultural education teacher course.

The pre-service teaching program would include an eight-week course that would provide hands-on experience through partnerships with Illinois agricultural companies, focusing on the five career clusters of agricultural education: agricultural business management, agricultural mechanics and technology, horticulture services, agricultural sciences, and natural resources conservation management.

The governor signed the bill into law last week. It takes effect immediately.

CHAMPAIGN – A new law championed by State Senator Scott Bennett will help provide practical education programs to residents in all 102 counties in Illinois.

“Nearly every community in our state benefits from the University of Illinois’ Extension services,” Bennett (D-Champaign) said. “These programs improve the quality of life of Illinoisans by providing research-based knowledge to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of our families, communities and agricultural industry.”

Bennett, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, sponsored House Bill 2264 to require the State to make an annual appropriation for matching funds to the University of Illinois’ Cooperative Extension Services Program. Currently, the state may only provide 50 percent to county funds for the program.

The University of Illinois’ Extension offers education programs in five broad areas, including: energy and environmental stewardship; food safety and security; economic development and workforce preparedness; family health, financial security and wellness; and youth development.

More than 1.5 million Illinois residents take part in Extension programs each year, nearly 200,000 of whom participate in the 4-H program. UI Extension also offers hands-on workshops, field days and online self-paced tutorials.

“The University of Illinois’ Extension services provides information and expertise to help meet local challenges and help every Illinoisan thrive,” Bennett said.

House Bill 2264 was signed into law on Friday. It takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses and children of veterans and active duty service members will soon be able to take advantage of the military service discount program under a law passed by State Senator Scott Bennett.

Bennett (D-Champaign) sponsored Senate Bill 1468 to expand the eligibility for voluntary discount programs currently offered by businesses to veterans and military personnel to include spouses and dependents.

“When our veterans serve, we must not forget that their families are also sacrificing every day that their loved one must forego with them in order to wear the uniform,” Bennett said. “Enhancing this discount program to include their families honors the commitment that our brave servicemen and women and their families make to our country.”

The governor signed the bill into law last week. It takes effect immediately.