Faraci fondly remembers former State Representative Bill Black

CHAMPAIGN—State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) released the following statement following the passing of former State Representative Bill Black:

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Bill Black. Bill dedicated his life to public service, and we will never forget his contributions to our community and our state. As we remember Bill, let us also remember the legacy that he has left behind. He was an individual who proved that one person can change the lives of many.

“I had the privilege of working with Bill in the early 2000’s, and I have held a great amount of respect for him ever since. Bill was an honest man who cared deeply for the people of Vermilion County. Our community is a better place because of his dedication, and he will be missed dearly.

“My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Over $3.3 million coming to Champaign County schools

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced that eight Champaign County school districts will receive over $3.3 million in additional funding to help students. 

“It is important that we fully fund our local schools in order to give students the best possible learning outcomes,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Everyone has the right to a high-quality education, and funding from the evidence-based model helps us reach that goal.”

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 its 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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Faraci announces over $700,000 for Vermilion County schools

DANVILLE – State Senator Paul Faraci announced that four Vermilion County school districts will receive over $700,000 in evidence-based funding to help students. 

“The evidence-based funding model works, as it helps school districts and students across the state succeed,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “The funding will not only help our local schools, but should help school districts hold the line on property taxes .”

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 its 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.

Vermilion County schools set to receive funding through the formula include:

• Danville School District 118: $156,377
• Oakwood School District 76: $77,666
• Vermilion Regional Office of Education #54: $28,595
• Westville School District 2: $473,528

The Fiscal Year 24 budget invested $350 million in new funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

For more information on the FY 24 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities

DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support increasing across to mental health services for rural farmers and agriculture communities.

“Mental health affects people from all professions — especially farmers whose job, success and livelihood relies on many things out of their control,” said Turner (D-Springfield), chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee. “Together, we can uplift the health and well-being of some of our state’s hardest working individuals.”

Initiated through the legislative leadership of Former Champaign State Senator Scott Bennett, the Farm Family Resource Initiative started as a joint pilot program of SIU School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2019. It originated as a pilot program covering six Illinois counties providing telehealth mental health access in addition to a helpline. Following its overwhelming success, the FFRI was expanded to cover all 102 counties in the state. In addition to the telehealth helpline, family members can now access six free telehealth mental health sessions.

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