SPRINGFIELD –One of the most important pieces of the federal Affordable Care Act is health insurance exchanges. These exchanges are the marketplaces where private individuals and small businesses can go to purchase their health insurance. Illinois has so far failed to create an exchange, and left the important program to an agreement between the governor's office and the federal government.

Senator Dave Koehler, a Peoria Democrat, is moving to change that. His legislation – the first viable plan introduced in the Senate – has passed a key committee and is expected to move forward. It has the support of consumer advocacy groups, hospitals and the insurance industry.

"Illinois needs a health care exchange that will meet the unique needs of our state," Koehler said. "A federal one-size-fits-all model just can't do as good a job of meeting the needs of our people and businesses."

Koehler's plan, House Bill 3227, establishes the following:

• Illinois will have a state-run health insurance exchange beginning October 1, 2014. It will be an online marketplace that will allow consumers to compare insurance prices, in much the same way that websites like Orbitz and Travelocity allow people to compare airfare.
• The Department of Insurance will review and recommend the health insurance plans that will be available on the exchange. All plans must meet state and federal insurance guidelines.
• An 11-member Exchange Board, appointed by the governor, will certify all plans approved by the Department of Insurance.
• Health insurance plans and dental plans must be available to individuals and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees in 2014. In 2016, business that have up to 100 employees will also qualify.
• The health insurance exchange will be paid for by Illinois health insurance companies, not taxpayer dollars or a fee on consumers.

Flooding from recent rains has ravaged areas in Peoria, Tazewell and Fulton counties, where many residents have found their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed by high water. State Senator Dave Koehler is joining with the American Red Cross to help victims of flooding by delivering supplies and serving food to those affected.

Koehler will join other volunteers at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria. For more information, please download this flier.

SPRINGFIELD – Years of less-than-adequate state funding have taken their toll on Wildlife Prairie State Park. The 2,000 acre park, which allows the people of Illinois to see the state's indigenous wildlife in a natural setting, has survived the state's budget cuts largely due to the efforts of Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the park's mission of promoting conservation, education and recreation. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) has passed legislation that will permanently transfer ownership of the park to the Friends board.

"We need to keep Wildlife Prairie Park open," Koehler said. "The state just doesn't have the resources to do it anymore, but Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park can and will."

Despite Koehler's best efforts to get funding for the park reinstated, the state was unable to provide significant financial resources to the park for the past three years.

Though the state is transferring ownership of the park to the Friends group, the legal agreement requires the group to keep the park open to the public and to maintain its current mission.

Koehler's measure now goes to the governor, who has already expressed his support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced his support for the Illinois Department of Transportation's plan to spend more than $60 million on road construction projects in the Peoria area, but said the state needs to do more.

"These projects are important, but Illinois needs another comprehensive capital construction plan," Koehler said. "Our roads, bridges and infrastructure are the backbone of our economy. If we want to invest in business, we need to invest in transportation."

Earlier today, IDOT announced its six-year road construction plan, which includes more than $60 million for projects in Peoria, Tazewell and Fulton counties. However, Koehler believes the state needs to make further investments in Illinois' infrastructure.

The last time Illinois passed a comprehensive capital construction plan was in 2009. Sometimes referred to as "Illinois Jobs Now!," the program invested $31 billion in the state's roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other public buildings. The construction plan was desperately needed – it was the first in 10 years – and many of the projects announced by IDOT are actually funded by the 2009 law.

"We can't go 10 years between infrastructure upgrades," Koehler said. "Businesses and families need high-quality infrastructure to be competitive. We can't afford to let Illinois fall behind."