Koehler fights for funding for Bloomington-Normal, Peoria education and workforce

SPRINGFEILD- State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) released the following statement after the governor outlined his proposal for Fiscal Year 2026:

“As we navigate a challenging budget landscape, it's imperative that we prioritize our investments to serve the most pressing needs of our communities.

“We must focus on areas that will have the most significant impact, such as our schools and universities, and we must support our workforce and job training programs. At the same time, we need to ensure access to affordable health care, invest in infrastructure improvements, and expand resources for public safety and mental health services. By making strategic decisions, we can uphold our commitment to fiscal responsibility while creating growth and stability in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and beyond.”

Koehler sworn in to seventh term in state Senate

• Inauguration

SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for environmental protections, protecting family farms, supporting working families and strengthening organized labor are major priorities for State Senator Dave Koehler, who was sworn in to his seventh term Wednesday.

“I am humbled to represent the people of the greater Peoria and Bloomington-Normal areas, and I do not take the trust and responsibility of this position lightly,” said Koehler. “I will continue to work to earn their trust and fight for the needs of the community.”

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Koehler announces $1.2 million in grants for local parks

• Peoria
• Grant
• Bloomington
• Local Parks
• Parks

PEORIA – The City of Bloomington and Pleasure Driveway Park in Peoria both received a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant to help continue its ongoing improvements to Recreation Park, thanks to strong support from State Senator Dave Koehler.

“Parks are essential for our physical and mental health, providing open space for us to connect with each other and enjoy Illinois’ natural beauty,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This funding will help maintain our community’s wonderful parks —bringing people together for years to come.”

For the third year in a row, Koehler supported funding for economically distressed communities, resulting in 29 underserved locations receiving $17.3 million in grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program.

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Koehler applauds funding to local organization providing adolescent health care

NORMAL – State Senator Dave Koehler joined the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in announcing millions in in funding to improve health outcomes, including over $20 million in funding to an organization serving the district he represents.

“Young people deserve access to high-quality health care, including specialized services like behavioral health or psychiatry, no matter their ZIP code,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). This investment will greater health outcomes for young people in our community.”

The Healthcare Transformation Capital Improvement grants will build on HFS’ equity-driven Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, which was established in 2021. The goals of the HTC program are to expand access to care and improve health equity, especially in underserved communities, by leveraging shared resources among collaborative partners to create locally-driven solutions.

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