Chambana Sun

State Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City) views a plan that would see the Vermillion Vocational Educational Delivery System designated as an environmental abatement site as an example of what government can accomplish.

“This is a good topic,” Bennett said while speaking to lawmakers at a recent House Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter School Committee hearing. “This is a good example that we can streamline some things. Please add me to your bill.”

House Bill 3638 seeks to ease extraneous asbestos regulations for learning institutions that are already in compliance with all state and federal asbestos testing.

Bennett was recently added to the bill introduced earlier this year by Rep. Michael Marron (R-Fithian) as a co-sponsor. It currently sits in the Elementary & Secondary Education Committee for further debate. With the changes slated to take effect immediately, it also seeks to amend the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

A member of the House’s Elementary & Secondary School Curriculum Policies Committee, Bennett, who ran unopposed in November, has served the 106th District since 2015. He also sits on the Health Care Availability & Access, Labor & Commerce, Revenue & Finance and Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education committees.

Located in Central Illinois, the 106th District includes all or parts of Ford, Iroquois, Vermillion, Livingston and Woodford counties.