SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is leading a measure to give veterans and first responders access to mental health providers of their choice.

“We have to give veterans and first responders proper access to their preferred mental health services,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Right now, we have police and firefighters who can’t receive mental health services from trained professionals of their choice and we need to change that.”

The legislation is in response to a situation in Champaign where several firefighters were unable to engage the mental health counselor of their choice based on a non-compete clause in the counselor’s contract. When a mental health professional leaves their employment with a provider, often times there is a non-compete clause in their contract, leaving them unable to provide services within a 50-mile radius for two years. In the 52nd District, a non-compete clause would not only prevent a mental health counselor from providing services in Champaign, but it would also stop them from providing services in surrounding communities, including Urbana, Rantoul and Danville. Police, fire and veteran organizations often want to contract mental health professionals that have a shared background or an establishment of trust with the organization, making these non-compete clauses detrimental to mental health care access for first responders and veterans.

CHAMPAIGN – In partnership with CU Schools Foundation, State Senator Paul Faraci is hosting an essential items drive to support local students and Champaign and Urbana public schools.

“CU Schools Foundation provides an amazing opportunity for the community to donate essential items like shoes, clothes, and backpacks,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “All of the items donated go to students in need, free of charge.”

Community members who wish to participate can view the list of items in need by visiting SenatorFaraci.com/Students.

The essential items drive will run from Tuesday, Jan. 30 through Friday, March 1. This is a great opportunity to provide direct support to local students without having to jump through any hoops.

"We created Operation Caring Closets to encourage our community to help support students with basic needs, so they can continue to come to school and learn alongside their peers,” said Kelly Hill, Executive Director for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation.  "We appreciate Senator Faraci stepping up and helping us to get the word out about this simple opportunity to provide a hand up to our students in need."

For more information or any questions, call Faraci’s Champaign office at (217) 355-5252.

DANVILLE – State Senator Paul Faraci is collecting food items to support homeless military veterans and to support the Danville Township Food Pantry. 

“Let’s come together to address this pressing need in our community,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Every little bit helps, as we can assist those who have selflessly served our country.”

From now until Feb. 19, community members can drop off donations at Senator Faraci’s Danville office, located at 201 N. Vermilion St., and at the Danville Public Library, located at 319 N. Vermilion St.

Items most in need include: chicken noodle soup, saltine crackers, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, noodles, macaroni, apple sauce, canned tuna, canned meat, canned salmon, beans, shelf-stable milk, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, rice and snack crackers.

The collected items will benefit homeless military veterans and their families at Cannon Place on the campus of the Illiana VA and the Danville Township Food Pantry.

"We are seeing, since the pandemic, increasing numbers of first time visitors, senior citizens coming in for help with basic groceries because they can't stretch their social security incomes as far as they used to,” said Tina O’Brien, Danville Township Program Coordinator. “We are grateful for this food drive, it will help." 

For more information or questions, please contact Betty at Senator Faraci’s office at (217) 442-5252.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced that seven school districts in the 52^nd Senate District will receive more than $20,000 to provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

“This funding to school district libraries isn't just an investment in books, it's an investment in the heart of our communities and the minds of our future,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “We want to empower these libraries to be able to make the necessary investments for our children.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library. Funding for the School District Library Grant Program originates from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated for this purpose by the Illinois General Assembly.

The following school districts in Faraci’s district received a total of $20,051:

• Champaign School District 4 - $8,782
• Danville School District 118 - $3,823
• Oakwood School District 76 - $850
• Rantoul School District 137 - $1,364
• Rantoul School District 193 - $850
• Urbana School District 116 - $3,411
• Westville School District 2 - $971

The grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade across the state.

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.