SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci’s legislation to expand university admissions opportunities to community college transfer students who meet certain academic requirements was signed into law.

“This will give community college students a clear path on how to secure their admission into four-year Illinois colleges,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “We’re giving more students across our state the chance to stay in Illinois for higher education.”

Under the new law, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University and Western Illinois University will create a four-year admissions program that admits community college transfer students each semester, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic school year.

The new program would guarantee university admission to all applicants who have enrolled at an Illinois community college after graduating from an Illinois high school, have earned a minimum of 36 graded, transferable semester hours at the time of application to the university, have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all completed transferable coursework, and have satisfied the university’s English language proficiency requirement.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci sponsored a measure that expands access to overdose prevention supplies for providers enrolled in the Illinois Department of Human Service’s Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Division Drug Overdose Prevention Team.

“We need to throw the book at the ongoing opioid crisis, because something needs to change,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Even a change that seems small is a step in the right direction. The opioid epidemic has destroyed families all across central Illinois and the country, and we need to start taking it seriously."

Currently, only pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants or their designees are authorized to dispense adulterant testing supplies. Faraci’s law also allows trained overdose responders for an organization enrolled in the Drug Overdose Prevention Program administered by IDHS to dispense drug adulterant testing supplies.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure to rename and expand the ABLE Account Program in honor of the late Senator Scott Bennett was signed into law.

“Senator Scott Bennett was passionate in his advocacy for people living with disabilities and their families,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “He was their voice, their supporter and their defender when they didn’t have one. By renaming the ABLE Account program in honor of Senator Bennett, his endless service and commitment to bettering the lives and world around him will always be remembered.”

The program, created and passed by Senator Scott Bennett during the 99th General Assembly, allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for expenses related to living with a disability without losing access to certain federal government assistance. Under Faraci’s legislation, the ABLE Account Program will be renamed to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced that families, seniors and people with disabilities in Champaign and Urbana will see new and renovated affordable housing options thanks to funding from federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

“Access to safe and affordable housing is fundamental for all members of our community,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This funding represents a significant step toward improving the lives of our residents. By investing in low-income housing initiatives, we are building an environment where everyone can have a place to call home.”

The tax credits will generate an estimated $235 million in private capital to finance the creation and preservation of 1,159 affordable units for low- to moderate-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program was created through the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986. The IRS allocates a certain number of tax credits annually to each state based on population.

Of the 18 affordable housing developments receiving funding, Parker Glen II in Champaign and Steer Place Apartments in Urbana are among the recipients. Thanks to the tax credits, Parker Glen II will construct a new housing development complex and Steer Place Apartments will rehabilitate and modernize the existing 108-unit apartment complex for seniors 55 and older.