PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement after the governor’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal Wednesday afternoon:

“During this time of unprecedented challenges, the proposed budget gives a well-deserved and much-needed helping hand to Illinoisans hardest hit by the pandemic.

“This budget addresses the needs of some of the most vulnerable individuals across our state through additional resources for the Department of Children and Family Services, increased funding for public health preparedness, and expanded home care and food delivery programs for older Illinoisans.

PEKIN – Thanks to State Senator Dave Koehler’s support of a multi-year plan to bring thousands of jobs to local communities, SkillsUSA Illinois in Pekin was selected to receive $500,000 to support construction pre-apprenticeship programs that will create a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates.

“Honest, good-paying jobs should be available in all fields to anyone willing to put in the work,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Unfortunately, certain groups may not have the same opportunities as others. This funding will help open doors and break down barriers to welcome people of all demographics and backgrounds into the trades.”

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) wants all Illinoisans to have access to reliable broadband internet, so he’s leading the charge to bring services to rural parts of the state.

“When it comes to internet access and connectivity, rural communities have been left behind,” Koehler said. “This has created an opportunity gap that only widens the longer we wait to implement real, lasting solutions.”

Nearly 1.5 million households across the state do not have high speed broadband, and rural Illinoisans are 10% less likely to have broadband than urban and suburban Illinoisans—an infrastructure gap that has been shown to have serious economic consequences.

Senate Bill 2247 establishes a tax credit equal to 15% of the cost of equipment and materials for businesses that provide broadband internet services in counties with fewer than 40,000 residents, or in townships with a population density of less than 50 households per square mile in counties with less than 300,000 people.

PEORIA – The City of Peoria is set to receive $1.2 million in grants to revitalize a commercial corridor on Western Avenue and boost economic development in the community, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced.

“Many of our small businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet after the challenges of the last two years,” Koehler said. “By bringing investment and improvement to our commercial corridors, we are laying a foundation for our businesses as they first recover and then continue to grow.”

The funding comes through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Distressed Communities program. The program is designed to help impacted small businesses repair damages and rebuild or expand, and to deliver long-term improvements along commercial corridors where businesses experienced damages during civil unrest.

These corridor improvements will repair and refresh the surrounding area while increasing economic opportunities for impacted businesses. The projects were evaluated based on project need, capacity, quality, and societal impact.

“When our local businesses thrive, our community thrives,” Koehler said. “This funding will help bring energy and life back to the parts of our city that are hurting most.”

The final round of Rebuild Distressed Communities program provides $976,000 to 26 small businesses and $7.45 million to help revitalize seven commercial corridors located across the state. A full list of grantees is available online.

More information on assistance available for small businesses and ongoing capital programs can be found on DCEO’s website.

PEORIA – A law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler, a longtime advocate to streamline the FOID card process for responsible gun owners, took effect earlier this week.

“This law will address a years-long backlog of FOID card applications across Illinois while closing loopholes that allow firearms to fall into dangerous hands,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The modernized system will save time and money for lawful applicants, and will allow the Illinois State Police to more fully dedicate its resources to reducing gun violence.”

PEORIA – Four local airports across the district State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) represents will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to over $3.5 million in state funding.

“Local airports in Central Illinois are vital to our economy,” Koehler said. “They offer the ability to move people and products in a safe and efficient manner and provide good-paying jobs to many members of our community.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in both urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Local airports will receive the following amounts of state funding:

• General Wayne A. Downing ‐ Peoria International Airport, $900,000
• Ingersoll Airport, $360,000
• Mount Hawley Auxiliary Airport, $634,500
• Pekin Municipal Airport, $1,665,000

“The grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and attract more passengers,” Koehler said. “I look forward to seeing how these upgrades will help revitalize our community.

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

PEORIA – In an effort to support and promote small businesses ahead of the holiday season, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is launching a social media campaign to feature local small businesses.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of our small businesses struggling to stay afloat,” Koehler said. “Now more than ever, it’s vital to support our small businesses as they get back on their feet.”

Koehler encourages small business owners interested in being featured on his social media to provide information about their businesses here. Businesses invited to participate include restaurants, retail shops and businesses that provide personal services, like spas and salons.

“I hope residents will remember to shop small as we head into the holiday season,” Koehler said.

Questions can be directed to Senator Koehler’s Peoria office by calling 309-677-0120 or visiting SenatorDaveKoehler.com.

PEORIA – With winter weather on the horizon, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is urging residents to use the Getting Around Illinois road conditions map to ensure safe travel this winter.

“Driving on snowy, icy roads can be challenging and dangerous, whether you’re a new driver or have been on the road for decades,” Koehler said. “We all want to get to our destinations safely, and Getting Around Illinois can help us achieve that goal.”

The revamped map will show how weather events are impacting roads under the jurisdictions of the more than 120 snow-and-ice removal teams that work out of Illinois Department of Transportation facilities throughout the state. Additionally, conditions on interstates and U.S. routes, which carry the most traffic in Illinois, will be given priority reporting status and appear more boldly on the map.

“Illinois winters are notorious for changing quickly and drastically, sometimes over just a few miles. These improvements to Getting Around Illinois will give travelers information that’s more reliable and more local,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “I urge you to bookmark and regularly check this valuable resource to help you stay safe and prepared throughout the winter.”

GettingAroundIllinois.com is available on both computers and smartphones, with the winter road conditions feature alone averaging more than 2.5 million views each year. A short video on how to use the new map and review conditions can be viewed here.