SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) released the following statement after the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget into law:

"Illinoisans deserve a responsible state budget that promotes local economic growth and safeguards essential funding for the most vulnerable. This year’s budget delivers on those issues and I was proud to support it.

"Empowering students with job training and access to higher education is pivotal for driving our economy forward. To foster such opportunities, this budget allocates increased funds for needs-based tuition assistance and specialized development programs. These initiatives aim to cultivate a skilled workforce and enhance enrollment rates in our community colleges and universities.

“This budget is something that we should all be proud of, and I believe it will make a positive impact on so many lives across the state.”

CHAMPAIGN – In partnership with the Illinois Attorney General’s office and CRIS Healthy Aging Center, State Senator Paul Faraci is co-hosting a senior fraud seminar in Champaign and Danville.

“I encourage older adults and their families to join us and learn more about how to keep their personal information safe,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “I hope attendees will leave feeling secure knowing that they have the tools to better protect themselves from fraud and scams.”

Date: June 27, 2023

Location: CRIS Healthy Aging Center | 309 N Franklin St, Danville, IL 61832

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: June 27, 2023

Location: CRIS Healthy Aging Center | 4116 Fieldstone Rd, Champaign, IL 61822

Time: 2 p.m.

Staff from the Illinois Attorney General’s office will give a presentation about how to detect and prevent scams and fraudulent business acts.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a Fiscal Year 2024 budget, and State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign), released the following statement in response:

“Illinoisans deserve a state budget that is balanced, helps our local economy and protects funding for those who need it most. I believe that this year’s budget accomplishes those three things.

“Providing students with job training and higher education access drives our economy forward. This budget further invests in developing those opportunities by providing increased funding for needs based tuition assistance and specialized development programs to build the workforce pipeline and increase enrollment at our community colleges and universities.

“For far too long, families and loved ones of children with disabilities struggle to secure the essential services and support. This year’s budget will provide almost $2 billion for services for people living with disabilities and their families. This is a step in the right direction – however, we must continue to fight to ensure these children and their families do not have to wait years to receive lifesaving care.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci supported House Bill 301 which passed the Senate, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program.

“This legislation makes a firm investment in the ability for students from Illinois to attend college in Illinois,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Illinois is home to some incredible higher education institutions, and we want to make sure that our students have the best chance to take advantage of them.”

Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, The Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education (AIM HIGH) has provided merit-based, means-tested student financial aid to first-time, full-time undergraduate students and transfer students who are Illinois residents attending any of the 12 Illinois public four-year universities. AIM HIGH-participating universities are required to provide matching funding for institutional awards for students who meet certain eligibility requirements, as well as those established by each individual university.

Senator Faraci’s legislation will do a few things, including making the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program permanent, increasing transparency in the program to allow more students to take advantage, increasing access for part-time students and making changes to the matching requirements for the public universities.

The changes to the matching requirement for institutions is based on the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants. Institutions with at least 49% of students receiving Pell Grants will now be required to contribute 35% of the grant amount, up from the previous 20%. Similarly, institutions with less than 49% of students receiving Pell Grants will now be required to contribute 70% of the grant amount, compared to the previous 60%. These changes will ensure that the AIM HIGH Grant Program targets those most in need, further amplifying its impact.

“I recognize that attending college isn’t for everyone, but I strongly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend if they so choose,” said Faraci. “We’re investing in the next generation of leaders and this action will help keep those leaders here in Illinois.”

House Bill 301 passed the Senate on Wednesday.