CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci joined the Illinois Department of Agriculture in announcing funding for the University of Illinois and University of Illinois Extension as part of the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and expand the availability of fresh, locally grown produce statewide.

“Ensuring every family has access to fresh, healthy food is a priority,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This funding will help bring more locally grown produce into our schools, markets and homes, which will have a lasting impact on the health of our residents.”

The grant will fund projects that focus on improving specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables and herbs – or crops that are essential for diversifying farming and healthy local food systems. In Illinois, specialty crops account for more than $400 million annually in farm sales, representing a growing sector of the state’s agriculture.

CHAMPAIGN – In an effort to address the ongoing teacher shortage, State Senator Paul Faraci joined the Illinois State Board of Education in announcing $7.4 million in funding for grants to help prepare high school students for careers in education.

“Funding like this helps equip our youth with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in our workforce,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “An investment in the futures of our students is an investment in our community and economy.”

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathway Grants aim to address the teacher shortage by preparing high school students for careers in education through hands-on experiences. The three-year grants — which were awarded primarily to rural, understaffed and underfunded areas — also strive to increase diversity within the state’s teacher workforce. 

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci will hold office hours at the Rantoul Business Center on Thursday, Aug. 29 to give residents an opportunity to receive assistance and ask questions.

“I encourage all residents to take advantage of these office hours and come express their concerns and ideas,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “My staff will be available to offer additional insight about legislation, resources and programs.”

The event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rantoul Business Center, located at 601 S. Century Blvd. in Rantoul. Faraci’s office will provide coffee for attendees.

This free event is an initiative from Faraci’s office to assist residents with state resources, as well as increase accessibility and government accountability by holding office hours at different days, times and locations.

If anyone has questions or concerns, they are encouraged to contact Faraci’s office at 217-355-5252 or visit his website at SenatorFaraci.com.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced that school districts across the area will receive over $4 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Our commitment to using the evidence-based funding formula ensures the schools in our district receive the resources they need to provide every student with the education they deserve,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “By prioritizing data-driven approaches, we’re taking a significant step forward in providing equitable, high-quality education to every child in our community.”

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.