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.

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.

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.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, announced a grantee in Champaign received $3 million in funding through the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grant Program – an initiative designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries throughout Illinois.

“Grant funding like this is a critical investment in our region’s future, making projects that help our businesses grow possible,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This investment will strengthen and support our skilled workforce and reinforce our community’s position as a hub for innovation and business opportunity for generations.”

The TIEG Program was designed to modernize and revitalize tech incubators across Illinois to meet the evolving needs of startups. The initiative aims to support the transformation of tech spaces, fostering an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration and resilience. Through the program, four grantees were awarded a total of $7 million in funding to strengthen the resilience of both existing and new startup incubators.