DANVILLE – To help residents stay warm this winter, State Senator Scott Bennett, in partnership with Robinson Chiropractic, is having a sock drive to benefit shelters across Danville.

“Socks are a major sought-out item of clothing by people experiencing homelessness,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “With winter approaching, I’m asking people to consider donating a pair of new socks to help our neighbors in need keep warm.”

Worn-out or ragged socks put people at serious risk of foot disease and, during the winter months, in severe danger from the cold. As a result, new socks are greatly needed by those experiencing homelessness—but they are the least donated clothing item at homeless shelters.

From now until Dec. 27, community members are encouraged to donate new socks for men, women and children at the collection locations below:

• Bennett’s District Office located at 201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323 in Danville
  •  Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Robinson Chiropractic located at 3595 N. Vermilion St. in Danville
  • Monday- Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Danville Public Library located at 319 N. Vermilion St. in Danville

Collection boxes will be located outside of each office and donations will benefit Crosspoint at the Y Homeless Program, Danville Rescue Mission and Fair Hope Children’s Ministry.

For questions or additional information, contact Bennett’s office at 217-442-5252 or Robinson Chiropractic at 217-442-2273.

CHAMPAIGN – The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the health inequities facing communities throughout Illinois. Immigrant Cooperative with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has been awarded funding to implement health equity strategies, State Senator Scott Bennett announced Thursday.  

“It is to no surprise that the pandemic left major health gaps in Illinois’ rural and minority communities,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “These communities that have suffered are now able to see improvements in bettering resident’s health and well-being through the ARISE program.”

Activating Relationships in Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services and The Center for Rural Health, in collaboration with Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is one of the 18 organizations across Illinois awarded funding to address systemic health disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ARISE intends to support socio-economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities outside of Cook County that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Further, organizations will be able to address enduring health inequities in their communities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The selected ARISE Community Equity Zone communities will engage in a rigorous “learning-and-doing” capacity building program to advance health equity in the short, medium and long term. The community coalitions will address inequities in mental, physical and social well-being in communities that are experiencing the brunt of these disparities by connecting people to vaccinations, food, and other well-being needs. They will also address underlying community needs such as humane housing, reliable transportation, and the root causes of these inequities, including racism and poverty.

“The communities that already had preexisting inequities prior to the pandemic were made worse,” said Bennett. “Through grant programs like ARISE and community efforts, we can put the state on a path toward greater post-pandemic healing.”

To learn more about the ARISE initiative, people can visit www.weintheworld.org/arise-project.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett is reminding Illinois residents that October is College Changes Everything Month in Illinois. This month, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission teams up with high schools and community partners to support students in their college admission processes.

“The transition from high school to college can be confusing to students, which often times turns away interest in pursuing higher education,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “College Changes Everything Month is a great time to take advantage of the resources available to high school seniors.”

College Changes Everything is a college access movement that recognizes that college can be a life changing experience not only for students, but also for families and communities. In Illinois and across the nation, those who obtain education beyond high school not only see a significant impact on their potential career prospects and future salary, but also reduced levels of poverty, life expectancy, crime, and obesity rates in their communities.

Changes are being implemented in making education after high school more accessible for students, including changes to the FAFSA, expansion of federal Pell Grant eligibility and a $122 million increase in state funding for the Monetary Award Program.

“As chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, it is important to me that students are able to understand the process of applying to higher education institutions,” said Bennett. “I want students and their families to know there is help out there when it comes to applying to colleges.”

This month is an essential part of helping Illinois reach its goal of increasing the proportion of adults in the state with high quality degrees or credentials to 60% by 2025. Find out more and join the conversation at collegechangeseverything.org.

CHAMPAIGN – To help ensure the State of Illinois achieves the goals of the SAFE-T Act, State Senator Scott Bennett filed legislation to clarify language and improve how officials can enforce the law.

“As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of presuming innocence for individuals before being proven guilty, supporting police and keeping violent criminals out of our neighborhoods,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “Senate Bill 4228 is an effort to improve consistency in the SAFE-T Act and allow law enforcement officials to continue to effectively perform their duties and protect our communities.”

The intent of the law aims to do away with cash bail in an effort to end systemic racism in the criminal justice system. Senate Bill 4228 updates many provisions in the SAFE-T Act by clarifying language to address concerns raised by local law enforcement officials.

Sen. Bennett’s legislation states pretrial release will apply to individuals arrested on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The measure also permits judges to deny pretrial release for any alleged crime if the person arrested poses a threat to the safety of any person or the community.

Sen. Bennett is going to continue to work with all stakeholders, advocates, and his colleagues in hopes of a resolution on these issues during the fall Veto Session.