SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) continues to travel across the 52nd District this month, hosting town hall meetings in Savoy and Oakwood.

“Good government begins with transparency and accountability. These discussions are a vital part of the legislative process,” said Bennett. “I invite everyone to comeout and let me know their thoughts on budget proposals, upcoming legislation and education funding.”

Click on the below flyers for more information on both events:

Savoy Town Hall Meeting

When: April 8 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Location: Savoy Municipal Center (611 N. Dunlap, Savoy, IL)

Oakwood Town Hall Meeting

 When: April 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Oakwood Village Hall (106 S. Oakwood Street, Oakwood, IL).

In February and March, Bennett held town halls and Capitol on Your Corner (CYC) events in Gifford, Rantoul, Tilton, Champaign, Georgetown, Danville and Urbana. Throughout the next year, Bennett plans to visit every community in the 52nd District.

URBANA – Working to bring state and local resources to residents in Champaign and Vermilion counties, State Senator Scott Bennett (D–Champaign) is hosting the following events:

URBANA: Mobile Secretary of State Office Hours
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Urbana Free Library, 210 W Green Street, Urbana, IL

Services available:
•    Renewal, replacement or correction of driver’s licenses and state ID cards
•    Vehicle sticker sales as well as vehicle title and registration
•    Passenger, B-Truck and motorcycle license plates
•    Parking placard for persons with disabilities

DANVILLE: Senior Services Workshop
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Location: CRIS Healthy Aging Center, 309 N. Franklin Street, Danville, IL

Services available:
•    Presentation on financial and health care fraud from the Attorney General’s Office
•    Presentations on services by Melody Ehrlich, Regional Director of Presence Health, Sue Rieche from Community Action Weatherization/Energy and Representatives from CRIS Healthy Aging Center
•    Live Zumba Presentation with Curves Health Club
•    A representative from the Illinois Treasurer’s office will be available to help seniors access the state's I-CASH Database to search for unclaimed property
•    Flu shots will be provided by Walgreens as well as health care information (Please bring along your insurance information).  

RANTOUL: Senior Services Workshop
Date: Thursday, April 2, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Location: Rantoul Recreation Department, 100 W. Flessner Ave., Rantoul, IL

Services available:
•    Presentation on financial and health care fraud from the AARP
•    Flu shots will be provided by Walgreens as well as health care information (Please bring your insurance information)
•    Information on community volunteer opportunities for seniors with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
•    A representative from the Illinois Treasurer’s office will be available to help seniors access the state's I-CASH Database to search for unclaimed property

SPRINGFIELD- Illinois families worried about the financial security of loved ones suffering from disabilities could soon have another resource to promote their independence.  

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced Senate Bill 1383, which creates a tax exempt plan to assist individuals and families in saving money to cover the expenses for people with disabilities.

“We all want our loved ones to be able to live their lives with respect and dignity. This legislation allows families to provide a stable future by paying for basic expenses,” said Bennett. “Without resources like this, many people with disabilities are unable to have the opportunity to be financially independent.”

The initiative creates the Illinois Achieving Better Life Expectancy Act (ABLE Act), which creates accounts similar to tax-advantaged college saving plans where income earned in the account is not taxable. This legislation comes after the Federal Government passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 with bipartisan support. States are required to pass enacting legislation to establish ABLE accounts.

The Treasurer’s office would be responsible to create ABLE accounts in accordance with federal rules and regulations.

“We want to provide financial resources to help ensure families can afford to take care of their loved ones,” said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. “By creating ABLE accounts, we can offer a tax-advantage to help establish the financial security necessary for those family members who need it the most.”

The accounts can be used to pay for qualifying expenses such as education, health, housing and transportation costs.

SB 1383 passed the Senate’s committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD- It is a traumatic experience for a seven- year-old girl to have to explain experiences of sexual abuse to a courtroom full of strangers and her attacker. To relieve some of this stress and anxiety, Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced Senate Bill 1389 to permit courts to allow comfort canines in courtrooms.

“During my time as a prosecutor, we had to deal with the difficult task of putting children on the stand to testify and go through the emotional struggle of explaining a traumatic experience,” said Bennett. “Our goal is to alleviate some of their anxiety and stress by providing some comfort through the use of therapy dogs.”     

SB 1389 would allow courts to authorize the use of “comfort canines” when children or others with a severe developmental or intellectual disability have to testify in court on sexual assault cases.  

Authorized dogs would be required to go through training and be evaluated and registered as a member of Assistance Dogs International.

“We need to do whatever we can to provide additional support to children during these distressing experiences,” said Bennett. “The use of dogs in the courtroom can help bring a major change in how we can meet the emotional needs of those involved in the criminal justice system.”

This measure passed out of the Senate’s Committee on Criminal Justice and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.