Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is highlighting the impact of Illinois’ Battery Stewardship Act and the work underway to make battery recycling safer, easier and more accessible for residents across the state.

"This law is an important step forward for public safety and environmental protection, as every household relies on battery-powered devices," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "From the toys our children play with to the alarm clock that wakes us up every morning, batteries power all aspects of our lives.”

Senate Bill 3686, which became law in 2024, created Illinois’ battery stewardship program, requiring producers of covered batteries sold in Illinois to participate in an approved stewardship plan and encourages residents to participate in the proper disposal of batteries giving them clear and easy to find resources for proper disposal. Furthermore the law states that battery recycling is not only a safety issue but also a resource issue. Proper recycling helps recover valuable materials that can be reused rather than wasted, while reducing the risks associated with improper disposal.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s legislation to improve oversight and follow-up care for nursing home residents has advanced out of the Senate.

“One of our most vulnerable population is our nursing home residents. Thoughtful care requires thoughtful polices,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “With this measure, we are ensuring people living with serious mental illness within our nursing homes will receive the care required for them to safely be integrated back into their communities.”

House Bill 4509 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services or a designee to visit any individual admitted to a nursing home with a diagnosis of serious mental illness within 60 days of admission. It would also require a resident review within 72 hours when a resident with serious mental illness experiences a significant change in their physical or mental health. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler has advanced legislation that will help strengthen press protections for public media produced at state-supported colleges and universities in Illinois.

“Journalism is what keeps our local and state officials in check,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “To deny editorial independence for our budding college journalist would be doing a disservice to our communities.”

House Bill 4420 would modify the College Campus Press Act to define public media produced at a state-supported institution of higher learning. The measure states that public media at these institutions would not be subject to prior review by the institution's public officials, and expression by employees or agents producing the media would not be considered speech attributable to the institution itself. 

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler is pleased by the rapid expansion of Rivian’s Manufacturing plant in Bloomington Normal. The additions to the manufactures plant bring with it more economic and job opportunities for our community while bolstering our states electric vehicle ecosystem.

“Rivian’s continued growth in Normal is a testament to what can happen when state, local, and private partners collaborate with a unified vision for the future,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The expansion of the plant, the development of the supplier park, and infrastructure investments all culminate in job creation, safety improvements, and a stronger position for Illinois as a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy alternatives. It’s exciting to see these investments paying off for workers and everyone involved.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Dave Koehler is sponsoring legislation to strengthen press protections for public media produced at state-supported colleges and universities in Illinois.

“Student and campus-based public media play an intimate role in informing their communities,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This bill would help protect editorial independence and make clear that public officials at state universities should not be controlling newsroom content.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is working to improve oversight and follow-up care for nursing home residents living with serious mental illnesses.

“For residents, it should be a guarantee that timely and thoughtful care responds to their needs,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This bill helps make sure people living with serious mental illness receive follow-up reviews sooner, and that important decisions are made without conflicts of interest.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s new initiative to allow public transit agencies to use electronic rearview monitoring systems on their buses and transit vehicles has passed the Senate.

“Our public transit drivers work long hours, deal with rapidly changing weather and, most importantly, get you from place to place,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “With the wellbeing of a passenger being in the hands of a driver we want to ensure the drivers have a modern system with better safety measures.”

NORMAL — State Senator Dave Koehler today joined Illinois State University leaders, faculty and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking transformation of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts. This project expands opportunities for students and strengthens arts and culture in Central Illinois.

“This transformative project represents an investment not only in the arts, but in our youth and the commitment to creating more creatives in our state," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "ISU’s new fine arts building will help support the expressive community of students already there, attract bright new talent and contribute to the cultural growth of our region."

This multi-phase project, made possible by the Rebuild Illinois program, renovates and reconfigures existing facilities to provide updated teaching and rehearsal spaces, improved accessibility and enhanced areas for community engagement. The improvements will better position the college to train future artists, educators and creative professionals who contribute to the region’s cultural and economic life.