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.

PEORIA – In recognition of sacrifices made by brave Illinoisans who have served our country, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is inviting people to write friendly and encouraging letters to residents of veteran’s homes ahead of Veterans Day.

“I am proud to represent a great deal of veterans across Central Illinois,” Koehler said. “Our communities benefit every day from the sacrifices they have made for us, and it is important that we show our appreciation and honor those sacrifices.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.

“Especially during this time of uncertainty and isolation for many people living in long-term care facilities, kind messages and words of encouragement are an easy way to make our veterans feel remembered and appreciated,” Koehler said. “I hope that members of our community will take the time to reach out and make a positive impact.”

The campaign will focus on veterans’ homes in Illinois, located in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. To send a message to a veteran or a veteran home, visit Send-a-note. For people wanting to send physical letters, locations for each of the veterans’ homes can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – Communities in central Illinois and across the state would receive quicker and more reliable emergency medical services under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that advanced out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“By not allowing qualified and certified emergency medical personnel to work in their field, we run the risk of denying lifesaving care to our communities,” Koehler said. ‘This legislation works to ensure that our EMS providers are well-staffed, and that emergency care in Illinois is efficient and reliable.”

House Bill 2431 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt rules that would allow EMS personnel who have both been certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and have applied for licensure to operate on provisional status.