Welcome To Senator Paul Faraci's Legislative Website

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced new funding is available under the Illinois Grocery Initiative through the New Stores in Food Deserts, Equipment Upgrades and Grocery Rescue grant programs – representing a $26 million effort to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in communities across the state.

“While some may think East Central Illinois’ ties to our state’s agricultural production would help eliminate chances for food deserts for our residents, this simply isn’t the case; we have a vast number of rural communities in the 52nd District filled with residents who have to travel miles to reach fresh produce,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Illinoisans deserve reliable access to the groceries of their choice, and these programs will help make that a reality for everyone who calls our communities home.”

The new Grocery Rescue Program will support efforts to reopen stores that have closed within the preceding 12 months. This program is designed to prevent long-term food access loss in low-access tracts, preventing the formation of new food deserts. Funding can be used for store acquisition, repair, refurbishing property and equipment, and some first-year operating costs.

SPRINGFIELD - Senate Bill 1393 advanced through the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday. The bill proposes to lower the minimum population required for a county to create or maintain an office of county auditor from 75,000 inhabitants to 70,000 inhabitants.

"I am proud to support this bill, which will benefit the residents of Vermilion County by ensuring that their auditor can remain independent and elected," said Faraci (D-Champaign). "It is important to me that we support the voices of our constituents, and this bill is a prime example of that."

The proposed legislation will benefit Vermilion County, which has a population of 74,188 according to the 2020 Census. The county's population has decreased each year since, making it difficult to meet the current minimum population requirement of 75,000 for maintaining an office of county auditor. This has put the position of the Vermilion County Auditor at risk of being absorbed by the County Board.

"I urge my fellow legislators to support this bill and help us ensure that the Vermilion County Auditor can continue to serve constituents independently," said Faraci.

Senate Bill 1393 has received support from various organizations, including the Illinois Association of County Auditors.