CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) released the following statement after his office’s Valentine’s Day Card drive received more than 500 cards for veterans from community members:

“We wanted to continue the practice of Valentine’s Day Card deliveries that Senator Scott Bennett started. In partnership with the Vermilion County War Museum, we were able to deliver over 500 cards to local veterans."

“I had one veteran come up to me after I gave him a Valentine’s Day card. He let me know that he doesn’t have any family and that the card meant the world to him. At that point, he and I were both holding back tears. That moment is exactly what we hoped to accomplish with the Drive.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci responded to the governor’s proposed budget address Wednesday.

“Illinois needs to pass a budget that is fair to parents, workers, seniors, veterans and farmers,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “We also need to make sure the vital services that so many Illinois families rely on are fully funded. The governor’s proposed budget is a good start.”

The governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 makes a $350 million payment to Evidence-Based Funding for K-12 education and $86.4 million for special education grants.

“Putting extra dollars into evidenced based funding will help keep property taxes from rising across our area,” said Faraci.

The proposed budget also includes $26 million for continued compliance with the Ligas Consent Decree, $12 million for annual placements and $14 million for 700 new placements for children living with disabilities.

“We need to fully fund these vital programs to support young people living with disabilities along with their loved ones,” Faraci said. “The governor’s budget proposal outlines a good first step. However, we should seize this opportunity to increase funding and support to ensure our most vulnerable populations have the resources and to live their lives with dignity.”

The governors proposed budget also includes $10 million to recruit and retain minority entrepreneurs in Illinois.

“In the coming months, I hope to see negotiations continue and land in a place where Illinoisans can be confident that state is making responsible decisions,” said Faraci. “From Rantoul to Champaign/Urbana to Danville and everywhere in between, we want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to thrive.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci will serve as the Vice Chair of the Senate Labor Committee and on the Senate Higher Education Committee for the 103^rd General Assembly.

“With my background in labor, I will be an advocate for workers’ rights and the improvement of working conditions in the state,” Faraci (D-Champaign) said. “On the Senate Higher Education Committee, I will work to make higher education more accessible and will fight for a system of postsecondary education that works for everyone.” 

Senator Faraci will also serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“We need to ensure that we take care of students, farmers and workers,” said Faraci. “I believe that these committee assignments will put me in a position to better advocate for residents of the 52^nd district.”

To see a full list of Faraci’s committee assignments, click here.

DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College is set to receive $302,000 in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs in the trades, State Senator Paul Faraci announced Monday.

“Pre-apprenticeship programs play a vital role in our skilled labor force,” Faraci (D-Champaign) said. “This funding will provide opportunities for individuals interested in starting a career in the trades.” 

A total of $13 million awarded to 29 organizations will help support pre-apprenticeship training programs across the state. This funding will increase the talent pool of candidates from all backgrounds.

Danville Area Community College Career Center strives to coordinate and facilitate all employment and career planning related activities in partnership with staff, students, and current and future employers. All Danville Area Community College students, prospective and current, alumni, and community members are eligible to utilize the Career and Employment Services office and can find more information here.

“The $300,000 that DACC receives will pay all of the expenses for 30 students this year to work as apprentices in the building trades. These students will ‘learn as they earn’—taking DACC classes while getting paid for hands-on experience in carpentry, plumbing, or construction,” said Danville Area Community College President Dr. Stephen Nacco.

The funding comes from the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act as part of Rebuild Illinois, which provides Illinois residents access to jobs created by state capital projects. Pre-apprenticeship programs offer a structured pathway to help graduates transition to a full apprenticeship program in the construction and building trades.

Information on the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program can be found here.