PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced on Thursday afternoon that a $10 million grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board would be dedicated to launching Distillery Labs, the Peoria hub of the Illinois Innovation Network.

“This grant is very exciting news for the Peoria area and all of Central Illinois,” Koehler said. “This hub is certain to become a social and economic boon to our community, and I know that the Innovation Network will benefit as well from this partnership with Peoria.”

This funding comes as a part of a second wave of grants through Governor JB Pritzker’s bipartisan capital plan. The grant will facilitate the purchase and renovation of the Thomas Building in downtown Peoria, where labs, classrooms and offices will be established with a goal of improving the wellness of underserved populations and advancing systems related to food, farming and transportation.

“Illinois is a pillar in the United States’ research community, and the Peoria area is proud to play a part in upholding that reputation,” Koehler said. “I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker and CDB for this investment in our community, and I know that that this local hub of the Innovation Network will benefit families in the Peoria area for years to come.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) introduced a measure to protect children from toxic chemical exposure on coal-tar treated playgrounds and paved areas. 

“Parents should not have to worry about their children being exposed to toxic chemicals during recess,” Senator Fine said. “There are plenty of safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives which should be utilized.”

The Coal Tar Sealant Act would require public schools, public school districts, daycares and state agencies to disclose the use of coal tar-based sealant on playgrounds, parking lots and other paved areas. This legislation would also require groups planning to use coal tar-based sealant for a pavement project to look into cleaner alternatives.

Coal tar and some other sealants used in pavement projects contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which can contaminate the environment as the sealants wear away over time. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to coal tar-based sealants with little to no PAH that are available at a similar cost.

PAH compounds have been proven to cause cancer, birth defects and other health complications. Lifelong exposure to coal tar-treated pavements and playgrounds can increase an individual's cancer risk by 38 times.

“I’m proud to represent a district that already bans these toxic sealants in multiple cities, but it’s time for the rest of our state to follow suit to protect our families,” Senator Fine said. “We all deserve to live in a state with a healthy environment.”

Seven cities in Illinois have already banned coal-tar sealants, including three cities in the district Senator Fine represents. 

Senate Bill 692 passed the Environment and Conservation Committee and now goes to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Citing local safety concerns from the Wood River community following an unexpected power plant demolition, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has advanced an initiative requiring property owners to notify communities of demolition plans across the state. 

“It’s concerning to hear blasts within your community without a warning,” Crowe said. “To prevent residents from being caught off guard and aware of potential health concerns, this measure seeks to require plans for power plant demolitions to be made public.”

Earlier this year, residents of the Metro East community were alarmed when explosions were heard from the decommissioned Wood River Power Station without warning.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would reduce PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam passed committee on Thursday.

“Evidence shows that exposure to PFAS found in firefighting foam can lead to numerous health issues, including cancer and kidney problems,” Ellman said. “We need to act now if we want to reduce the risk to the public, including our firefighters.”

Per - and polyfluoradlkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, are a large group of toxic chemicals that have the ability to repel oil and water, reduce friction, and put out fires. For these reasons, they are especially prevalent in firefighting foam.

SPRINGFIELD – To benefit Illinois farmers and help reduce the state’s dependence on foreign fuel sources, Senate Agriculture Chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure that aims to create a statewide renewable fuel standard which would require biodiesel for transportation fuel beginning in 2024.

“The demand for biodiesel is growing quickly, and it’s important that Illinois keeps up,” Joyce said. “Biodiesel offers environmental and performance benefits, as well as an economic boost for our farmers.”

Senate Bill 2394 is an initiative of the Illinois Soybean Association and would require diesel sold within the state for use in internal combustion engines to be at least 5% biodiesel fuel oil by volume prior to July 1, 2024, and 20% after that. Certain exemptions would be allowed, including for fuel used in locomotives, marine engines and for power generation.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans across the state would have more reliable access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment under legislation from State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which advanced out of committee Wednesday. 

“Mental health care is necessary health care, and there is no reason patients should have to drive hours or wait weeks for mental health treatment,” Senator Fine said. “There is already a stigma around mental health that we are fighting to eliminate, and the last thing we need is another roadblock for those seeking care.”

Under Senator Fine’s legislation, insurers would be required to provide timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous or substance use disorders and conditions. Insurers would also have to make an exception to out-of-network copay requirements if there are not any in-network providers available nearby or timely enough.

SPRINGFIELD – To help promote the preservation of historic properties throughout the state, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) has introduced a measure to encourage people who own historic structures to preserve and rehabilitate their properties.

“Historic buildings can teach us about our past while being utilized for our future,” Castro said. “Through rehabilitating and revitalizing these buildings, property owners can bring jobs, housing and businesses to their community while keeping its historical roots.” 

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program is administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division. Rehabilitating and preserving historic structures can increase the value of a property, revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods and provide a sustainable alternative to building new properties.

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would ensure all eligible employees are paid prevailing wage and create a more transparent Illinois Department of Labor passed committee on Wednesday.

The Prevailing Wage Act requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers, workers and mechanics employed on public works construction projects no less than the average rate for the same work in the county where the work takes place.

The initiative would require IDOL’s electronic database of payroll records to be listed by the middle of each month and searchable by the public, ensuring compliance with prevailing wage laws.  

“The government shouldn’t be involved in underpaying construction employees,” Belt said. “We owe it to our local economies to create good paying jobs, and we owe it to the public to ensure government construction projects – especially on roads and bridges – are done right.”

Though IDOL is already required to maintain a database of payroll records to ensure workers are actually being paid the prevailing wage, Belt’s legislation would make it public.

“This added transparency will help ensure workers are being paid the prevailing wage they have earned,” Belt said.

Senate Bill 1767 passed the Senate Labor Committee with a vote of 12-5 and will now head to the Senate Floor for further consideration.