Bennett has hope in state's future

GIBSON CITY – State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-106th District) has hope in the future of Illinois.

With the 100th Illinois General Assembly sworn-in, both House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have mentioned the need for change in the state. Bennett was pleased to hear this.

“That’s really the first time I heard that, which is a wonderfully positive piece of information,” Bennett said during last week’s meeting of the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District in Pontiac.

Senate leaders have been sitting down to try and come up with a budget solution – something Bennett calls a “great step forward.” He applauds the leaders for their efforts.

“We are in such a hole from years and years of situations where we have not really taken care of things or lived within our means,” Bennett added.

Bennett hopes all lawmakers sit down together to talk through the state financial situation while remembering the real reason they are in Springfield: to represent the people of Illinois.

Bennett’s 106th district covers most of Livingston County, a good portion of Woodford, all of Iroquois and Ford and the northern part of Vermilion County. This is one of the largest geographic districts in Illinois. He has district offices in Pontiac and Watseka.

State lawmakers are in full session Tuesday through Thursday of this week and Gov. Bruce Rauner presents his State of the State address Wednesday at 12 p.m.