Faraci law expands awareness of disability savings program

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Paul Faraci will ensure families of students with disabilities have access to life-changing financial tools by requiring schools to share information about the Illinois’ ABLE savings program with parents of students who have 504 plans. 

“Too often, individuals with disabilities and their families are left wondering how they can preserve federal benefits while trying to save and invest for disability-related expenses,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This law empowers families to save for a range of needs, including housing, education, transportation and health care, giving them the control and flexibility they need with their finances.”

Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest their money for expenses related to living with a disability, offering greater financial independence while preserving vital public health benefits – like SSI or Medicaid. The Illinois ABLE program promotes independence, reduces reliance on public assistance and encourages greater economic participation by individuals with disabilities.

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Faraci-backed law to protect missing individuals with developmental disabilities

SPRINGFIELD – When a person with developmental disabilities goes missing, time is of the essence – but existing alert systems do not always address their unique needs. A new law from State Senator Paul Faraci changes that by creating the Golden Search Awareness Program, ensuring law enforcement, families and communities have the tools to respond effectively.

“Individuals with developmental disabilities can face increased risks compared to other missing individuals, from challenges communicating with people to potential vulnerability for exploitation,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “It is crucial our communities know how to properly interact with people with developmental disabilities when they go missing so we can get them back home safely, and this law will make certain that happens.”

Illinois previously relied on broad alert systems such as the AMBER Alert and Silver Alert, which do not always account for the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The new law establishes a Golden Search Task Force, which will work to implement a statewide awareness program in coordination with the Endangered Missing Person Advisory. This initiative will help educate communities, law enforcement and organizations that support individuals with disabilities, making certain they know how to recognize and respond when someone with developmental disabilities goes missing.

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Faraci announces over $4 million in funding for Vermilion, Champaign County schools

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced that 12 school districts across the area will receive over $4 million in evidence-based funding, in addition to the base funding provided by the state.

“Every child in our state, no matter what school they attend, needs access to equitable, high-quality education,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “The evidence-based funding formula ensures schools receive the resources they need so the students in our communities are met with the education they deserve.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

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Drinking water for thousands of Illinoisans to be protected under Faraci law

• SB 1723
• Mahomet Aquifer

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci has solidified efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois – with the signing of Senate Bill 1723 into law.

“Having access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, and too many of our residents rely on the Mahomet Aquifer to risk contamination to it,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “While mitigating the effects of climate change should be a priority, it cannot be at the expense of the clean drinking water of nearly one million Illinoisans.”

The law will prohibit carbon sequestration over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer, enforcing sustainable practices and preventing harmful activities. This is crucial for residents of Central Illinois, as the aquifer is the only source of clean drinking water for at least half of the population it serves – meaning those residents would have no alternative should the aquifer become contaminated.

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