SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Paul Faraci that will ensure children living with disabilities have extra accommodations during school emergencies was signed by the governor.

"This new law will ensure that families know that the safety plan for their child is well-documented during their annual IEP meetings, and they will know the expectation during drills so they can better prepare the child,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This is a serious issue facing people with developmental disabilities, and I am proud that we were able to make a real difference for the safety of our children.”

This law provides that extra accommodations needed for a student during emergencies must be taken into account when developing their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a federal Section 504 plan. It also requires administrators and school support personnel to include a student's IEP team or Section 504 plan team when making a decision about whether to exclude the student from a walk-through lock down drill.

An Individualized Education Plan or Program is a comprehensive document developed to ensure that a student with an identified disability who is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. The IEP is developed by a team of individuals from various educational disciplines, the student with a disability, family members and designated advocates. A Section 504 Plan provides reasonable instructional accommodations and modifications to which the student is entitled, based on the student's individual needs. Faraci’s law ensures that any accommodations the student needs during emergencies will be documented in the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan. For example, an IEP might document that a student who is extremely sensitive to loud noises will need noise-canceling ear protection during fire drills.

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.