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Koehler outlines recommendations to enhance historic remembrance of Underground Railroad in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 10:57 AM
  • Koehler
  • Education
  • Tourism
  • Illinois History
  • Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force

Sen. Dave Koehler

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler and the members of the Underground Railroad Task Force put forth their statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while establishing new educational and tourism opportunities.

“Despite nationwide efforts to restrict education about our country’s history of racism, Illinois remains committed to shining a light on our past so we can move forward,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Our bipartisan initiative will shed light on Illinois’ historic ties to the Underground Railroad, and honor the brave individuals who fought against slavery and oppression so many years ago.” 

The task force – created through legislation led by Koehler – has spent the last year meeting to devise a strategy for sharing, growing and celebrating the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Read more: Koehler outlines recommendations to enhance historic remembrance of Underground Railroad in Illinois

Koehler announces nearly $8 million in funding for supermarkets in food deserts

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Monday, October 07, 2024 02:56 PM
  • Peoria
  • Illinois Grocery Initiative
  • New Stores in Food Deserts

koehler 100424PEORIA – Thanks to State Senator Dave Koehler’s support of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a Peoria supermarket and 10 other stores across the state have received $8 million in combined funding to fight food insecurity.

“It has been difficult to fill the void of grocery stores that have been in our neighborhood for years and have suddenly closed—leaving people without a routine source for their essential food and goods,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This grant program will revitalize our community by making high-quality groceries more easily accessible.”

The New Stores in Food Deserts Program supports the establishment of new grocery stores in USDA-defined food deserts. These grants will fund construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs, initial inventory of food and more.

Harvest Supermarket, based out of Peoria, was awarded $1,666,472 from the program for a full building renovation and new energy-efficient equipment. Supermarkets in Chicago, Rockford, and Carlinville also received funds from this program.

Read more: Koehler announces nearly $8 million in funding for supermarkets in food deserts

Senate Democrats celebrate over $25 million in grant funding to support renewable energy projects

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Friday, September 06, 2024 12:00 PM
  • Koehler
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Equitable Energy Future Grant Program

Koehler CEJACHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus are helping lead Illinois’ efforts to be a nationwide leader in investing in environmental sustainability by supporting a $25.5 million investment for the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program.

“This grant funding opportunity will allow folks from across Illinois to help create a greener future,” said Senator David Koehler (D – Peoria), one of the leading supporters of the initiative in the Senate. “The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is essential to leveling the green energy playing field and ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is part of the historic Senate Democrat-led Climate and Equitable Jobs Act . This law established a larger strategy to equitably grow the clean energy workforce in Illinois. To meet these goals, the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program aims to help remove barriers to projects, community, and business development in communities that have been historically left behind due to lack of available capital.

Read more: Senate Democrats celebrate over $25 million in grant funding to support renewable energy projects

More Illinois-grown food coming to stores thanks to Koehler law

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Tuesday, August 06, 2024 02:32 PM
  • Koehler
  • Agriculture
  • SB3077
  • Fresh Local Produce

koehler 080524SPRINGFIELD – A majority of food on grocery store shelves is purchased out of state, which has led State Senator Dave Koehler to pass a law to make Illinois food more readily available on local store shelves.

“Our farmers play a significant role in our economy, and we should make every effort to have their produce in stores across our communities,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This law supports our family farmers and gives residents access to fresh local produce.”

Koehler’s law directs the Illinois Department of Agriculture to amplify local food processing, collection and distribution within the state through grants. Eligible applicants include farms, co-ops, process facilities, food businesses and hubs with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois nonprofit organizations and local governments.

Read more: More Illinois-grown food coming to stores thanks to Koehler law

Koehler’s measure to expand access to bleeding disorder medications passes Senate

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Friday, May 17, 2024 01:02 PM
  • Koehler
  • HB 4055
  • Red-tape Practices
  • Insurance companies

HB4055PASSSPRINGFIELD – In an effort to expand access to medication for hereditary bleeding disorders, State Senator Dave Koehler advanced a measure to cut red-tape practices used by insurance companies.

“Prior authorization processes can delay vital medical care, putting patients’ lives at risk,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “We need to ensure Illinoisans can access the medications they need without delays.”

House Bill 4055 would prohibit prior authorization for FDA-approved medication for the treatment of hereditary bleeding disorders for up to six months. Prior authorization is a form of approval by insurance companies utilized before agreeing to cover medications and procedures. These checks can be for age, medical necessity, the availability of a medical alternative or drug interactions.

Read more: Koehler’s measure to expand access to bleeding disorder medications passes Senate

Koehler measure would strengthen Illinois’ arts industry

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Wednesday, May 08, 2024 02:58 PM
  • Koehler
  • HB 4959
  • Creative Economy Task Force

KoehlerSPRINGFIELD – To help strengthen the creative arts economy in Illinois, State Senator Dave Koehler passed an initiative to form a Creative Economy Task Force to help the state attract and retain diverse businesses and talent.

“Creative businesses employ thousands of Illinoisans from all backgrounds,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “In today’s digital era, creative arts are a driving force for our economy. This legislation keeps us ahead of the curve and will promote job opportunities for those seeking new ventures.”

The arts and culture sector generates $31.1 billion in economic impact and employs over 190,000 workers in Illinois, making it the fifth largest state for arts and culture employment. Illinois arts deliver over $478 million in state and local government revenue each year.

Read more: Koehler measure would strengthen Illinois’ arts industry

Senate passes Koehler's initiative to strengthen local food economies

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Friday, April 12, 2024 01:30 PM
  • Koehler
  • SB 3077
  • Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act

koehlerSPRINGFIELD – As Illinois residents walk through the aisles of their local grocery store, they may wonder how far their food travels before it reaches their table. This has led State Senator Dave Koehler to advance an initiative to make Illinois food more readily available on store shelves.

“This initiative strengthens our food industry in a way that cultivates a stronger, more sustainable food system that benefits everyone,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By bridging the gap from farm to table, we give our family farmers more opportunities to distribute their goods while making fresh produce available to our community.”

Senate Bill 3077 would create the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. This measure would require the Illinois Department of Agriculture to amplify local food processing, collection and distribution within the state through grants. Eligible applicants would include farms, co-ops, process facilities, food businesses and hubs with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois nonprofit organizations and local governments.

Read more: Senate passes Koehler's initiative to strengthen local food economies

Koehler’s first in the Midwest initiative would reduce carbon emissions in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Friday, March 22, 2024 02:46 PM
  • Koehler
  • SB1556
  • Sustainable Fuels
  • Credit Marketplace for Low-Emission Fuel

koehler 032224SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to reduce carbon emissions in Illinois, State Senator Dave Koehler lead a discussion Friday during a subject matter hearing in the Energy and Public Utilities Committee on his measure that would create a credit system to incentivize the use of low-emission fuels. 

“It’s time we take action to protect our environment,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This measure would allow Illinois to lead the charge to promote sustainable fuels that create a cleaner future for our state.”

Read more: Koehler’s first in the Midwest initiative would reduce carbon emissions in Illinois

More Articles …

  1. Koehler joins farmers and Illinois Stewardship Alliance to discuss Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act
  2. Koehler measure to revolutionize battery recycling
  3. Koehler measure to bolster local food economies
  4. Koehler applauds new cutting-edge manufacturing training center at Heartland College
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