PEORIA – Peoria and Fulton Counties will have disposal opportunities for unwanted agricultural pesticides through a statewide “Clean Sweep” program, State Senator Dave Koehler announced.

“It’s important for the safety of our community and the health of our environment to dispose of these chemicals in a safe and responsible manner,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This program is accessible and helps take stress off our local farmers.”

The “Clean Sweep” program began in 1990 in Illinois.  Since the inception of the program, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has held 52 collection events through the state and collected 626,669 pounds of material from 2,196 participants. The collection is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.

Individuals wanting to bring chemicals for disposal must register.  Forms can be obtained either by calling the IDOA Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934, https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pesticides/Pages/Pesticide-Clean-Sweep-Program.aspx">online or by visiting a local program sponsor:

• Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District, 13118 N. US Hwy. 24, Lewistown, IL 61542
• Peoria County Farm Bureau, 1716 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604

“There are two main reasons to take advantage of this program,” said Brad Beaver, Acting Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs.  “The Department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, it could be expensive.  Secondly, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected.”

Completed forms should be returned to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by July 27.  Letters can be addressed to Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794. Once the forms are received, participants will be sent a reservation card with the date, time and location of their collection.

PEORIA – Students with disabilities and their families will be more fully informed of the resources available to them thanks to a piece of legislation by State Senator Dave Koehler that was signed into law Friday.

“Illinois offers so many great resources for students with disabilities that can help mitigate some of the challenges these students and their families face,” said Koehler (D-Peoria).  “It’s important that we make sure families know about these resources so they can take full advantage of them.”

The Achieving a Better Life Experience program aims to encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds to support individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence and quality of life, and to provide secure funding for disability-related expenses to supplement insurance benefits and income.

Senate Bill 3474 requires school districts to provide informational material to the parent or guardian of students with disabilities about the ABLE account program.

“Students with disabilities deserve every opportunity available to help them live full, healthy lives,” said state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar (D-Bolingbrook), House sponsor of the bill. “By providing these students and their families with information about the ABLE program, we’re providing them with a valuable resource they can use to support themselves.”

The legislation is effective immediately.

PEORIA – Students across Illinois are guaranteed a plant-based lunch option at school under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“Students may have dietary needs rooted in in religious, health-related or other, personal reasons,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a nutritious, plant-based option, we can satisfy those requirements and ensure all students are able to take full advantage of what may be the only meal they can depend on that day.”

House Bill 4089 requires school districts to provide a plant-based school lunch option that complies with federal nutritional standards to any student who submits a prior request.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages the use of fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals and urges schools to develop additional methods to offer the fruits and vegetables to students. Offering a plant-based lunch option would be one way of doing so.

Plant-based school lunch options would also act as Halal options for Muslim students provided there are no alcohol or alcohol byproducts, such as vanilla extract or other extracts, used in the preparation of the meal.

“Well-rounded, nutritious meals of all kinds are vital to students’ ability to learn and succeed,” said State Representative Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago), House sponsor of the legislation. “Offering more healthy lunch options in our schools helps our students thrive.”

This legislation goes into effect Aug. 1, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will now have an added incentive to purchase vehicles manufactured in-state thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“We have a highly skilled manufacturing workforce that produces reliable, high-quality vehicles right here in Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a rebate on the purchase of vehicles manufactured in-state, we put money back in the pockets of our consumers and spur our local economies.”

Illinoisans purchasing cars and passenger trucks manufactured in-state will have the opportunity to apply for a $25 rebate on the title under Senate Bill 3609. Consumers would have one year from the month the vehicle was manufactured to apply for the rebate.

“When we encourage the purchase of goods manufactured here in Illinois, we support good-paying jobs across our state and keep our local economies healthy,” said State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), House sponsor of the bill. “I am proud to support our manufacturers through this legislation.”

The legislation will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.