DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support increasing across to mental health services for rural farmers and agriculture communities.

“Mental health affects people from all professions — especially farmers whose job, success and livelihood relies on many things out of their control,” said Turner (D-Springfield), chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee. “Together, we can uplift the health and well-being of some of our state’s hardest working individuals.”

Initiated through the legislative leadership of Former Champaign State Senator Scott Bennett, the Farm Family Resource Initiative started as a joint pilot program of SIU School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2019. It originated as a pilot program covering six Illinois counties providing telehealth mental health access in addition to a helpline. Following its overwhelming success, the FFRI was expanded to cover all 102 counties in the state. In addition to the telehealth helpline, family members can now access six free telehealth mental health sessions.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Paul Faraci will tackle the increasing number of food deserts in Illinois.

“No one should go hungry because of their ZIP code,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This new initiative will provide much-needed support to grocery stores in underserved areas so people can have better access to fresh food.”

Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in food deserts to help mitigate the lack of access to fresh food in communities across the state. An area is considered a food desert when urban residents have to travel more than half a mile and rural residents have to travel more than 10 miles to the nearest grocery store.

According to the USDA’s Food Access Research Atlas, which presents an overview of food access indicators for low-income and other census tracts using different measures of supermarket accessibility, there are several food deserts across Champaign and Vermilion Counties.

“Everyone deserves access to fresh and healthy food,” said Faraci. “Bridging the gap of food insecurity by addressing the growing number of food deserts will help build a stronger, more resilient community.”

Senate Bill 850 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

CHAMPAIGN – With support from State Senator Paul Faraci, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“Small businesses are what make our community a special place to live and raise a family,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This much-deserved influx of assistance will help our local economy and the local small businesses continue to provide a service to our community.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided over $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Fifteen restaurants in the 52^nd Senate District will receive a combined total of $565,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“It’s great to see nine restaurants in Vermilion County awarded these grants,” said Tim Dudley. “The money will help stabilize businesses in our area and allow them to plan for the future.”

To see a full list of restaurants awarded Back to Business grants, visit DCEO’s website.

CHAMPAIGN – Five local organizations in Champaign and Vermilion Counties will receive over $1.1 million in combined grants to grow and enhance their services, thanks to support from State Senator Paul Faraci.

“This state money will help our local libraries continue to provide a great service to our community,” said Faraci (D-Champaign) “Libraries not only provide residents with access to knowledge and information, they are a safe haven for our children, providing programs to help them succeed.”  

Five area libraries and library services are set to receive a total of $1,147,850 to enhance community and family literacy, improve library services and upgrade current technology to ensure they are providing effective, accessible services to their residents.

Danville Community College will receive a Community Literacy Grant for $68,025 and Parkland College will receive a Community Literacy Grant and a Family Literacy Grant for a combined total of $125,954. Danville Correctional Center will receive $15,000 for library services.