44th District weekly update         

From Sen. Bill Brady

[SEPT. 9, 2005] 

Drought relief available for area farmers

Area farmers battling severe drought conditions now have a lifeline available to them through several government-backed loan programs.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has declared every Illinois county, with the exception of Alexander County, a disaster area due to the drought. As a result, qualified farm operators in these counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers have until the end of March of next year to apply. Additionally, the agency has a variety of programs available to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

The Illinois state treasurer's office has also pledged about $100 million in low-interest loans that area farmers can access through local financial institutions. Any agriculture producer in the 101 drought-affected counties is eligible to apply for a loan.

The treasurer's loan program offers interest rates starting out at 4.64 percent, and borrowers can defer payments on the principal of the loan because only interest payments are required during the first six months of the loan. Area farmers have only about 50 days left to apply for loans through this particular program.

For more information, contact the Farm Service Agency at [phone] or the state treasurer's office at [phone].

Helping victims of Hurricane Katrina

We have watched in horror at the images of death and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina's destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities.

A financial gift to "Hurricane 2005 Relief" helps the Red Cross provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

The Red Cross website is at http://www.redcross.org/, or you can call toll-free, 1 (800) HELP NOW [1 [phone]].

Traffic reminders now that school's back in session

Students across the state are returning to school, and it's a good time to take a second look at the laws governing school speed zones and school buses. This information was taken from the Illinois secretary of state's website.

Speed limit -- The speed limit in school zones is 20 miles per hour between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days when children are present and signs are posted.

School buses -- Drivers must stop before meeting or overtaking a school bus loading or unloading passengers. A warning will be given at least 100 feet in advance of a stop, or 200 feet in rural areas. The bus driver will flash amber and red lights on the front and rear of the bus. The stop signal arm will be extended after the school bus has come to a complete stop. You must then come to a complete stop. You may proceed when the school bus resumes motion or the bus driver signals you to do so. You may also proceed when the flashing lights are turned off and the stop signal arm is no longer extended.

You do not always need to stop when meeting a stopped school bus on a roadway with four or more lanes. You do not need to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction of the bus, but you should drive cautiously.

Your driving privileges will be suspended for three months if you are convicted of illegally passing a stopped school bus. If you receive two such convictions within five years, your driving privileges will be suspended for one year. In addition to the suspensions, violators will be fined $150 for a first conviction and $500 for a second or subsequent conviction.

[From Sen. Bill Brady]