PEORIA – The first new payments from Illinois’ recently passed public school funding reforms will be released this month, completing a years-long effort to change the state’s antiquated school funding mechanism.

The first payments will be distributed to the schools with greatest need, and more than $7 million in new funds will be coming to local school districts in the 46th Legislative District for an average of more than $175 per pupil. Peoria School District 150 sees the greatest total increase with more than $2.5 million in new funds and Limestone Community High School District 310 sees the greatest per pupil funding increase with $590 for every student.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said these dollars are the first step in fixing a generational issue that has plagued poorer school districts throughout Illinois.

“Illinois’ previous funding formula distributed money in such an unfair manner that school districts across our state were left behind,” Koehler said. “This new formula can help us reverse that trend and see new investments in the schools that need in the most.”

The bipartisan legislation was signed into law by the governor last year after months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.

“This is a failed governor who took Illinois to the brink of junk bond status by refusing to sign a bipartisan budget" - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner gave his third State of the State address today in Springfield. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) released the following statement after the address:

“The governor’s call for unity is three years too late. When Democrats and Republicans in the Senate came together last year to find a grand bargain to address issues the governor requested, he intervened and destroyed any progress that was made toward a bipartisan agreement.

“This is a failed governor who took Illinois to the brink of junk bond status by refusing to sign a bipartisan budget. Thank goodness we have Republican colleagues in the House who voted for both the budget and the veto override to save our state.”

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what’s going on in their back yard,” State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents impacted by large hog farms got a chance to make their voices heard at the state capitol today. At a meeting of the Subcommittee on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), senators heard testimony from rural Illinois residents and industry representatives about how rural Illinois has been impacted by the growing farms.

Earlier this year, an attempt was made to build a hog farm near the Spoon River in Fulton County that would have held over 20,000 hogs. After an outcry from the local community, the Fulton County Board passed a resolution asking the state to delay new hog farm permits until the state’s rules and regulations are updated.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) pushed for the creation of the subcommittee after residents of his district brought their concerns to his attention.

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what’s going on in their back yard,” Koehler said. “Today’s hearing was an important first step in finding a reasonable compromise that protects rural Illinois residents without hurting local economies.”

CAFOs, such as hog farms, are governed by the Livestock Management Facilities Act which was first passed in 1996.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Route 29 will have a new name in the Chillicothe city limits after a resolution was passed by the Illinois Senate today. The highway will now be named the “Senior Chief Petty Officer William ‘Ryan’ Owens Memorial Highway”.

The resolution renaming the highway, Senate Joint Resolution 35, was sponsored by Peoria County’s two state Senators, Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and Senator Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria).

“Senior Chief Owens will be remembered forever as a dedicated and selfless hero,” Koehler said. “His service in the Navy SEALs was nothing short of exemplary and will serve as a model of heroism for decades to come.”

Senior Chief Petty officer William ‘Ryan’ Owens was a Navy SEAL killed during a raid in Yemen in January 2017. Senior Chief Owens enlisted in the Navy in 1998, the same year he graduated from Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe.

A decorated SEAL, Senior Chief Owens was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, the Joint Service Achievement medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, six Good Conduct Medals and three Presidential Unit Citations.

Additionally, Senior Chief Owens was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Somalia in 2015. Owens had been leading a twelve-man team alongside friendly African forces deep inside war torn Somalia when their unit was ambushed. Senior Chief Owens repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, eventually securing a town that had been in enemy hands for ten years.