SPRINGFIELD – South Suburban Community College is receiving $35.8 million from the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan to build a new allied health facility.

The new four-story facility will be approximately 130,000 square feet. It will provide the college with a cutting-edge teaching facility to train students for health care careers. The estimated cost for the project is roughly $70 million, with nearly $17 million in state funding already released and the remaining funding being provided locally.

“I’m thrilled to see Illinois investing into a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the south suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This new facility will provide better job opportunities and bring more resources to students who want a career in the medical industry.”

CHAMPAIGN – In an effort to support domestic violence victims in Champaign, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) has designated his district office for residents to drop off used cell phones.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Illinois and across the nation. To continue his advocacy of women and children’s rights and raise awareness of domestic violence, Bennett has partnered with Courage Connection in Champaign to receive cell phones, chargers, and other phone accessories to be collected throughout the month of October. Donated cell phones are given to people dealing with domestic abuse and are used as emergency 911 phones.

“Domestic violence is a community issue, and these shelters protect and support individuals trying to return to safety and stability while they recover from violence that can upend every part of their lives,” Bennett said. “Efforts like this are a way we can all support them.”

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Electronic devices keep us connected to the world and provide many essential services. Every day people find new ways to access our personal information and data from our devices, so it is important to keep up to date on the latest cybersecurity techniques to keep your information safe.

How can I keep my data safe?

• Password protection is the single most important thing you can do to keep your data safe.
• Use a unique password for each account.
• Do not include your name, your kids’ names or pets’ names in any password.
• Avoid using known information about you in your passwords.
• Use a combination of upper and lowercase characters.
• Keep your Internet browser and operating system up to date with the latest versions.
• Be cautious about any online offers.
• Monitor your online bank and credit accounts for unauthorized or suspicious spending.
• Talk with your family about the importance of cybersecurity.

CHICAGO – Metra representatives broke ground on a new train station at 79th Street and South Lowe Avenue this Monday morning after State Senator Jacqueline Collins successfully secured state funding for the facility.

Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of the planned station in the northeastern part of the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Collins said the station represents a new investment in the community.

“Today, I join with my neighbors, other elected officials and many civic leaders in looking forward with joy and hope to the construction and opening of the new station,” Collins said. “I sincerely believe that in years to come we will view this investment as a turning point in the renewal of this Southside neighborhood, whose flourishing will enrich us all.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler took the first steps toward a more inclusive business climate in Illinois as the Diversity Task Force on Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises met for the first time yesterday.

Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) were appointed to this task force earlier this month.

“I’m honored to have been selected as the chair of this task force composed of a truly remarkable group of people,” Koehler said. “It’s vital that we give opportunities to contribute to our state’s economy, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual identity, and I look forward to the progress we will make together.”

CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett hosted a Taiwanese delegation at his family farm on Sept. 24 in Ford County to celebrate the $2.2 billion commitment to purchase Illinois soybeans and corn over the next two years.

“Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans and corn,” Bennett said. “Earlier this summer, I met with Taiwan government officials and agricultural business leaders to talk about why they should purchase soybeans and corn from Illinois.”

Bennett said he wanted to personally introduce the delegation to Illinois agriculture. Illinois and Taiwanese associations signed two $1.1 billion agreements to purchase Illinois crops between 2020 and 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) released the following statement on Touchette Regional Hospital receiving a $2 million grant from the State of Illinois:

“Touchette provides life-saving care to thousands of residents of Centreville and neighboring communities,” Belt said. “This grant will ensure that this vital institution has the resources needed to continue to deliver services to those who need it the most.”

Belt advocated for the grant to be included in the bipartisan budget package that was signed by Governor Pritzker earlier this summer. The grant was administered to hospitals across the state that are identified as “safety net hospitals.”

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois farmers should take advantage of an innovative program to help protect their farmland and our environment, said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Scott Bennett.

The S.T.A.R. program (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources), provides free instruction on how to ensure Illinois feeds the world while reducing their environmental footprint.

“This program helps farmers lose less to runoff, earn more from their land, and preserve the state’s natural resources for the next generation,” said Bennett (D-Champaign).

The S.T.A.R. program ranks a farmer’s field according to how well it practices conservation, all with the foal of safeguarding local waterways and maximizing productivity per acre. Participants determine their S.T.A.R. ranking by completing a field form, which is scored by a local reviewer on a five-star scale.