PEORIA – The Illinois Army and National Guard had their mobilization ceremony for 160 National Guardsmen Tuesday. State Senator Dave Koehler commends their sacrifice.

“I am thankful to have such brave men and women in our community protecting our nation’s interests overseas,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “These airmen and women will be guiding our forces from above. I wish them a safe and successful deployment.”

More than 100 members of the 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 106th Aviation Regiment, as well as 30 members from the Company B. 935th Aviation Support Battalion from Kankakee will deploy to the U.S. Central Command region. Soldiers will spend their time providing air support to United States forces throughout the Middle East.

These men and women will be deployed overseas to help conduct operations with national interest.

PEORIA HEIGHTS – The Illinois EPA announced $40,000 is coming to Peoria Heights to help the area identify service lines that may contain lead.

“Lead contamination poses serious health risks for residents in our community,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “This funding will give the village the resources they need to ensure we have safe drinking water throughout our community.”

State Senator Dave Koehler voted for the legislation creating the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in 2021. This act provides timelines and requirements for communities replacing contaminated water pipes, as well as assisting in financing local water projects throughout Illinois.

Illinois has more lead service lines than any other state in the nation, with an estimated 730,000 to 1.4 million lead service lines in the ground. There is no safe level of exposure to lead.

“This funding will provide many communities with the necessary funding to develop a complete inventory identifying the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supplies,” said Illinois EPA Director John Kim.

To see a full list of Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants, click here.

PEORIA – Fighting for working-class families, organized labor and providing teachers and students with the resources they require are top priorities for State Senator David Koehler (D – Peoria), who was sworn into his sixth term Wednesday.

He is looking forward to continue tackling the issues his community faces every day.

Koehler was sworn into his sixth term on Wednesday. The state Senator is looking forward to continue tackling the issues his community faces every day.

“I am honored to work for the interests of my community once again” Koehler said. “Residents of the greater Peoria area have put their trust in me once again, and I look forward to continuing the fight for my community.”

Koehler was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2006, and was promoted to Assistant Majority Leader in 2019. Due to redistricting of legislative districts across Illinois, Koehler now represents the Bloomington-Normal area as well.

“I am excited to get to work for not just Peoria and surrounding areas, but also Bloomington-Normal. I look forward to producing effective legislation for higher education in the area, as well as focusing on organized labor and clean energy” Koehler said. “These communities are great areas for teachers, students and workers to thrive. I will work hard to ensure even more opportunities are available for our community.” 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler supported a measure that provides additional funding toward modernizing and streamlining the FOID card process.

“This funding allows the FOID Card Review Board to receive the funding they need to protect Illinois residents from those who are a danger to others, while protecting the second amendment rights of the everyday person” said Koehler (D – Peoria).  “Ensuring lawful gun owners’ rights are protected has always been a top priority for me.”

Koehler led a FOID card modernization measure that tracks stolen firearms, as well as criminal history and mental health disabilities. The $500,000 in new funds through the Senate’s supplemental budget bill will provide the Illinois State Police with the tools it needs to fully implement the law.

The supplemental budget – found within House Bill 969 – also prioritizes fiscal responsibility through putting additional funding in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The bill also appropriates $400 million into the Closing Fund to help lure big employers to Illinois– making the fund stand out by offering more incentives to attract companies.

“Building upon the responsible spending decisions and balanced budgets of the last few years, the state was able to pay off our bills, saw our credit rating improve and found itself with a sizeable surplus. We spent much of the additional funds by putting $1.83 billion back in taxpayers’ pockets and still saw ourselves with a surplus” said Koehler. “We took this additional money and put it toward even more good – prioritizing the people and organizations that need it most.”

House Bill 969 passed the Senate Tuesday.