DECATUR—State Senators Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) met with local, state and national FFA student leaders during their visit to ADM’s headquarters Monday. Manar, Rose, the FFA leaders and ADM executives discussed the importance of agricultural education, agribusiness technology and career readiness.

“It is truly impressive to see how engaged and advanced students become as a result of programs like FFA. They receive such a well-rounded experience that the skills they develop transfer into countless diverse careers both in and out of agriculture,” Manar said

“Agriculture is Illinois' number one employer and a key driver of our state’s economy,” Rose said. “I was so impressed by the caliber of these student leaders and ADM was a gracious host. The students’ presentations reaffirmed the changing face of agribusiness in the world and the enormous growth opportunities in this sector."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed the seventh grade 3A State Champion Gillespie Middle School boys basketball team to the Illinois Capitol on Thursday. The Illinois Senate recognized the coaches and players for their 26-2 record, their history of come-from-behind wins and their dedication to academics.

SPRINGFIELD– The Illinois State Senate is urging the federal government to update 45-year-old anti-discrimination and minority employment standards for contractors. Those rules have been on the books since 1965, haven’t been updated since 1980 and are based on census data from 1970.

State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) sponsored the resolution, brought to him by the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, urging the federal government to update those standards to represent the demographic changes of the last 45 years.

“Our workforce should reflect our population. Our communities have changed a lot since 1970 and the rules governing our workforce should reflect that diversity,” Manar said.

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SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) voted Wednesday to restore state funding that operates the Illinois Tobacco Quitline. The quitline, headquartered in Springfield, was recently closed and more than two dozen people were laid off as the result of recent cuts made by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“If we can save this program, we can keep people working and help those trying to quit smoking. The impact of closing this program and eliminating these jobs would ripple through the region.” Manar said.

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