CHAMPAIGN – To help residents stay warm this winter, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is launching a holiday drive to benefit the folks at C-U at Home.

“Homeless service providers, like C-U at Home, are facing a long list of needs during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately, the need for these items will not go away this year because even more people are in need of help due to job loss stemming from the ongoing public health crisis.”

C-U at Home is in particular need of new backpacks, hygiene supplies, long underwear, and socks. These items are urgently needed to meet the needs for homeless individuals in the community.

“These items can help individuals brave the cold to work toward a home of their own,” Bennett said. “This drive is a great opportunity to give back to those in need.”

Starting Monday, Nov. 23, residents can drop off donations to the collection box outside of Senator Bennett’s office in Champaign, located at 45 E. University, Suite 206 through Friday, Dec. 18. Bennett reminds those donating to wear a mask in the building and practice social distancing.

CHAMPAIGN – The Pavilion Behavioral Health System in Champaign will receive $200,000 in Residential Capital Improvement Grants to serve more at-risk youth, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Friday.

“When a child – especially a child in the care of DCFS – needs medical help, they should never have to wait,” Bennett said. “I’m happy DCFS is making this investment in the Pavilion Behavioral Health System to help it expand its mission.”

Through the Residential Capital Improvement Grants, administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, six residential and group home service providers across the state will receive a combined $866,000 to increase their bed capacity and improve physical facilities to support medically complex youth and youth with severe mental health issues.

In recent years, the state has lost more than 500 residential beds. The grant program is meant to help fill this gap and reduce wait times.

The Pavilion Behavioral Health System will receive $200,000 for a four-bed expansion to serve adolescent males and females.

CHAMPAIGN – In observance of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse on Nov. 19, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) expressed his thanks to child protection services professionals who work to prevent child abuse and neglect.

“On this day, we celebrate the important role communities play in protecting children from abuse,” Bennett said. “It’s a reminder that it is our everyday task to put forth our efforts toward strengthening families and preventing abuse and neglect so that our children have a safe place to grow.”

Dating back to 2000, the first World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse was launched by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF). WWSF joined hands with an international coalition of advocacy organizations for women and children’s issues, and together, they started a movement to mobilize governments and societies to take action and prevent child abuse.

The purpose of the day is to encourage governments and civic organizations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child, especially with regards to the issue of child abuse and the need for effective prevention programs.

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CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, CRIS Rural Mass Transit District, Champaign County and City of Danville were named as recipients of a combined $9.98 million grant to improve transit service throughout the community, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Friday.

Bennett, a member of the Senate Appropriations II Committee, worked to prioritize mass transit systems during negotiations of the landmark, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan.

“Public transportation is an important resource for thousands of residents, allowing them vital access to work, school, health care and more,” said Bennett. “By prioritizing public transit and making the necessary improvements, we are giving residents the freedom and mobility to get wherever they need to go.”

Grant funds will be used for new or renovated buses, transit stations and maintenance facilities. This is the first of three grant cycles for mass transit projects through the Rebuild Illinois plan, with the next two set to occur in 2021 and 2023.

“Transit in our downstate communities can be a lifeline for getting to work or school, a doctor’s appointment or a trip to the grocery store,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. “This funding through Rebuild Illinois means these providers finally will have the resources they need to improve service in communities that have not seen this type of investment for many years.”

A complete list of local providers and awards can be viewed at https://idot.click/rbi-capital-plan-transit-grants.