Koehler: State budget should prioritize serving Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget address, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) offered praise for the administration’s priorities. He released the following statement:

“Overall, I’m pleased with where the governor is proposing we focus our attention fiscally. “By prioritizing these initiatives, we are meeting our mandate to provide quality services people can rely on: cleaning up coal ash waste and creating a program to provide access to training for careers in infrastructure and trade industry.

Though this is certainly only the beginning of what promises to be a complex negotiation process, I look forward to working with the Pritzker administration to continue improving the lives of Central Illinoisans.”

Koehler: Blagojevich abused the mandate he was given by Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler offered the following statement Tuesday after President Donald Trump commuted the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich by after just seven years served:

“As one of 59 votes to remove Rod Blagojevich from office, I stand by that decision. Had he apologized to the people of Illinois for this behavior, I might have more sympathy to him. But he has for a decade exhibited nothing but defiant arrogance and a total unwillingness to own up to what recorded evidence plainly proves he did. I look forward to working with my colleagues this spring to pass a comprehensive ethics reform package that will discourage the likes of Rod Blagojevich from holding office in our state.”

Koehler votes to override Pritzker veto, protect jobs at Peoria airport

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would ensure the preservation of manufacturing jobs in the Peoria area passed the Senate with bipartisan support yesterday.

“The point of this legislation is simple: to keep good-paying jobs in our area,” Koehler said. “Without this tax exemption there is no question that aviation companies would have to take a long look at doing business elsewhere.”

Peoria is home to Byerly Aviation, a company that offers maintenance, charters and aircraft sales.

This legislation would reinstate the Illinois state sales tax exemption for materials used in aircraft manufacturing, which expired Dec. 31, 2014. Since its expiration, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

This legislation now awaits the governor’s signature.

Koehler encouraged by Gov. Pritzker’s commitment to downstate economic development

SPRINGFIELD – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State address on Wednesday, State Senator Dave Koehler released the following statement:

“Ensuring our downstate communities continue to prosper is of the utmost importance. By passing meaningful property tax reform, creating jobs by implementing the $45 billion infrastructure plan and assisting small businesses ahead of future minimum wage increases we will provide fiscal stability for our communities. I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker as we continue our fight to increase economic security for downstate families.”