PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is celebrating the Illinois State Board of Education’s “Rock the FAFSA” week in an effort to encourage students in the 46th District and across the state to take advantage of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

“With the cost of higher education becoming less affordable with every passing year, it’s important that students considering college make use of this great option,” said Koehler. “FAFSA makes college more attainable, and I highly encourage all students to take the fullest advantage of this program.”

ISBE is celebrating “Rock the FAFSA” week to remind students there is still time to submit their applications and to provide resources to students who may have questions or need help when filling out the necessary forms.

“I want to make sure that every high school senior in Illinois is able to access the aid that they qualify for, but that won’t happen if the students don’t take the time to apply,” Koehler said.

Illinois currently has the third-highest FAFSA application rate in the country. For more information about FAFSA or to begin an application, visit fafsa.gov.

SPRINGFIELD – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s annual budget address, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) released the following statement:

“I am pleased that the budget proposal is focused on providing stability and predictability to working families in these uncertain times.

“This year’s budget offers a notable increase in resources for older Illinoisans and individuals with disabilities, as well as additional funds for the Illinois Department of Employment Security to remedy delays in aid to those in need. Furthermore, this proposal calls for over $300 million more for human services and an expansion of MAP grants, providing increased support for those seeking higher education in my district and across Central Illinois.  I am concerned, however, about the proposed reduction in funding for local governments. It does not make sense to take money away from our cities when they have experienced the same hardships as the state has. I feel that this will be a highly contested topic during negotiations.

“Families in the 46th District deserve a budget they can rely on, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to shape a budget that works for the people of my district.”

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) will participate in a subject matter hearing of the Senate Labor Committee tomorrow at 10 a.m. to learn about the status of several unemployment insurance issues plaguing the Illinois Department of Employment Security over the last year. The unprecedented flood of claims during the COVID-19 crisis, when more than 1 million Illinoisans lost their jobs, overwhelmed the department.

“Issues with our unemployment benefits system have plagued the Department of Employment Security since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Koehler said. “It is not the goal of the committee to publicly scold the department or its employees, who have been working around the clock for those in dire need. But at some point we need concrete answers regarding what is being done to fix our broken system. It is my hope that this committee hearing will serve as a progress report on those issues from the department’s representatives.”

The public and lawmakers continue to express concerns about claimants being able to reach and receive assistance from the agency with their unemployment claims, as well as to get their payments. Illinois is also one of many states dealing with a wave of fraudulent claims, and the agency is seeking to implement tougher security measures to ensure benefits are only paid to verified recipients.

Since the pandemic began, Koehler has heard from colleagues and constituents about specific and ongoing issues. This hearing will give members serving on the Labor Committee an opportunity to ask for details from IDES officials.

To view virtual committee proceedings, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will become available when proceedings begin.