New facility would help women returning to communities after incarceration

SPRINGFIELD – A new Department of Corrections facility would help women who have been incarcerated return to their communities under legislation being considered at the Senate.

The facility, known as the Peoria Women’s Community Transformation Center, will provide housing, case management, social and educational services, hands-on training in construction skills and other types of vocational training, plus a pool of jobs created through the work of the Community Transformation Institute and its partners.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the sponsor of the legislation that would create the facility.

“As we start to understand more and more about recidivism, we must create programs that will make it easier for people to reintegrate into society,” Koehler said. “This facility will provide a safe environment where women can learn skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

Senator Koehler has worked with Rev. Tony Pierce to make the facility a reality.

“I want to thank Senator Koehler for sponsoring this measure that is vital to the Peoria community and Illinois in general,” Pierce said. “With more people coming out of jail as we try to address overcrowded prisons, they will fall prey to recidivism without programs in place like the Women’s Community Transformation Center.”

The facility will be located at the Travelodge Hotel on Brandywine Drive in Peoria. The facility will serve as a post-sentence option for women who will be more successful in their transition to society if they are involved in a holistic, case-managed, graduated re-entry program.

Senate bill 740 is currently in a key Senate budget committee.

Koehler measure for assisted living homestead exemption passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would extend the homestead property tax exemption to individuals in supportive living facilities was passed in the Illinois Senate today. Senate Bill 1887 would extend the property tax homestead exemption to seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities living in a supportive living program

Currently, an individual can be awarded the homestead exemption when they become a resident of a nursing home and still own their original place of residence.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the legislation’s sponsor.

“This is a crucial step in guaranteeing that our citizens are being treated fairly by the tax system,” Koehler said. “That is why I believe we should extend this exemption to individuals in assisted living facilities the same way we do for nursing homes.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives.

Creve Coeur Public Library receives grant from Illinois Secretary of State

• Creve Coeur'
• Tazewell County

“Providing funds for libraries that foster growth and education will be beneficial for generations to come.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

PEORIA – The Creve Coeur Public Library will receive a grant from the Illinois State Library, according to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office. The library will receive $35,000 to assist with construction costs after being recommended by a statewide committee.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) represents Creve Coeur in the Senate.

“This grant is great news for the Creve Coeur community,” Koehler said. “Providing funds for libraries that foster growth and education will be beneficial for generations to come.”

The grant is being awarded to the Creve Coeur Public Library is through the Live and Learn Construction Grant Program. Grants are awarded by the Illinois secretary of state based on recommendations from a statewide committee following a review process.

The Illinois secretary of state also serves as the state librarian.

Koehler unveils new environmental protections with local farmers

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what exactly is going to be built in their backyard.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – New legislation aimed at protecting the environment in rural Illinois was unveiled at the in the Illinois Senate today. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) unveiled a package of legislation that would make changes to the regulations governing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs.

CAFOs are farm facilities with a large concentration of animals such as hogs. Recently, a plan for a CAFO that would hold 20,000 head of hogs in rural Fulton County was withdrawn after a considerable push back from the public.

Joined by farmers from all across the state, Koehler introduced the legislation to bring transparency to the process of planning and expanding hog farms.

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what exactly is going to be built in their backyard,” Koehler said. “Registering these facilities and getting wastewater management plans on file are just of few of the steps we can take to make sure the public health of rural Illinoisans will be protected.”