State Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Ill.)
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Elected State Legislators
Recent News About State Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Ill.)
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Senator Bennett Needs Your Help for His Valentines for Seniors Program
State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) is calling on the community to lend a hand in brightening the day of senior citizens in the 53rd Senate District. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Senator Bennett is spearheading the "Valentines for Seniors" program, aimed at spreading love and appreciation to those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.Bennett expressed his desire to ensure that everyone feels remembered and valued on Valentine's Day, particularly the elderly residing in long-term care facilities. He emphasized the importance of...
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Deadline to Register Banned Firearms Passes
Illinois firearm owners were required to register their "assault weapons" and attachments by January 1, 2024, in order to comply with the state's assault weapon ban. According to the Illinois State Police, 29,357 people registered their assault weapons before the deadline. In addition, information about 68,992 firearms and 42,830 attachments was submitted to the Illinois State Police. This represents roughly 1 percent of all gun owners in the state."While the sale and purchase of certain firearms were immediately banned when the Governor signed the 'Protect Illinois...
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Lawmakers Hear Testimony on AWB Rules, Senator Bennett Opposes
Lawmakers in Illinois recently gathered to hear testimony from agencies regarding proposed rules on the enforcement of the state's "assault weapon" ban (AWB). The Illinois State Police (ISP) presented their proposed permanent rules for the ban during the meeting of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). While the ISP's temporary emergency rules are currently in effect, action on the proposed permanent rules will be delayed until the January meeting of JCAR.One of the key aspects of the emergency rules is the requirement for owners of banned firearms purchased...
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Update from Senator Bennett: Dec. 8
Illinois is taking steps to enhance broadband access across the state with the collaboration of the Illinois Broadband Lab (IBL), the Illinois Office of Broadband, and the University of Illinois System. The state plans to deploy $1.04 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds. The BEAD Program allows local governments, nonprofit organizations, and Internet service providers to challenge the accuracy of the FCC broadband map's designation of unserved and underserved locations. Senator Bennett explains, "The hope is that allowing these...
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New Back 2 Business Grants and Drought Conditions in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has introduced a new grant program called the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant, aimed at providing financial relief to businesses that started during the COVID-19 pandemic in industries most affected by it. This program offers grants to businesses that have not been eligible for state or federal emergency support in the past. Senator Bennett shared this update on December 1, stating that for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations that meet certain criteria can apply for a grant of up to $30,000. To be...
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State Senator Tom Bennett Expresses Gratitude and Wishes a Happy Thanksgiving
State Senator Tom Bennett has expressed his gratitude and wishes a happy Thanksgiving to all his constituents. In a heartfelt message, Senator Bennett stated, "As we approach Thanksgiving, I am full of gratitude and eager to share my thanks with all of you. It is an honor to serve you as your Senator, and I am deeply thankful for that." He emphasized the importance of coming together, appreciating one another, and savoring the often unnoticed good things in life during this holiday season.Senator Bennett hopes that Thanksgiving will bring joy, reflection, and unity to...
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New Report Reveals Record Number of Investigations into State Agencies
A new report released by the Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) has shown a historically high number of complaints and investigations into state agencies in Fiscal Year 2023. The 66-page report, which can be found on the OEIG's website, reveals that a total of 3,078 complaints were filed, leading to 450 investigations being opened.The report highlights various instances of wrongdoing within state agencies, including fraudulent conduct, unprofessional behavior, mismanagement, and conflicts of interest. Some specific examples mentioned in the report include a...
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Senator Bennett Updates on Invest in Kids Act, Nuclear Reactors, and Gun Offenders
State Senator Tom Bennett provided an update on various issues and events in his recent communication. The Invest in Kids Scholarship Program, which has supported nearly 10,000 low-income children in Illinois, is facing expiration on January 1, 2024. Senate Republicans held a press conference to call on the Governor and his allies to save the program. Senator Bennett expressed his disappointment, stating, "It is unacceptable that Democratic leaders abandoned families across the state to save the vital program." Despite this setback, Senate Republicans will continue fighting...
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Sen. Bennett Supports New Legislation to End Illinois' Nuclear Ban
State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) has expressed his support for the new legislation aimed at ending Illinois' nuclear moratorium and paving the way for the construction of the next generation of nuclear reactors. The bill, known as House Bill 2473, passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.In a statement, Senator Bennett expressed his enthusiasm for the legislation, stating, "I was excited to vote for House Bill 2473 which passed the Senate and the House of Representatives today by a wide margin with strong bipartisan...
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Republican Senators Call on Governor Pritzker to Focus on Illinois
Republican senators are urging Governor JB Pritzker to prioritize managing his administration in Illinois rather than traveling the country to increase his national profile. They expressed their concerns during a press conference on November 1st, highlighting the ongoing mismanagement and failures within multiple state agencies under the Pritzker Administration. The senators are calling on the governor to refocus his attention on the job he was elected to do in Illinois.Senator Bennett stated, "During his time in office, his administration has been embattled in a...