Koehler shares grant opportunity for local food processing

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler is encouraging local food processors to apply for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s new grant, with funding to support food processing, aggregation and distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000.

"When we say farm-to-home food, we forget about the critical infrastructure in between," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "This investment ensures that our food makes it from farm to local food processor and distribution safely and cleanly to your plates at home."

To be an eligible applicant, organizations must meet these qualifications: be an Illinois resident who stores, processes, packages, aggregates, or distributes value-added agricultural products, or plan to do so. These entities must meet one of the following criteria: a farm, cooperative, or slaughter/processing facility with fewer than 50 employees. As well as an Illinois food business, a food hub, a non-profit organization, or a unit of the local government of Illinois. Those interested can prepare for the upcoming application by pre-registering with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal. 

To encourage further expansion of the local food industry, all grant funding must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products.

Additional information about the program, supporting links and helpful guidance on getting ahead on the application can be found on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.

Koehler highlights new investment in local school program

NORMAL – State Senator Dave Koehler helped secure $350,000 in state grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Youthbuild McLean County in Normal.

“Education is a fundamental right – and should be treated as such for students of all incomes,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “This investment into one of our local institutions gives an equal chance for all students to succeed in school and beyond that.”

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program launched in 2021 with the goal of increasing diversity and access to apprenticeship programs. Comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide a greater opportunity to obtain employment in the construction trades and secure a lifelong career.

In the district Koehler represents, Youthbuild located in McLean County will receive $350,000 through the program.

Through Illinois Works, DCEO is expanding its statewide network of providers to recruit, prescreen and provide pre-apprenticeship skills training. Equally important, the program providers offer structured pathways and manage the program graduates' transition from the pre-apprenticeship program to a full apprenticeship program in construction and the building trades.  

Click here to learn more about the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. 

Koehler announces new investment in local Peoria Park

PEORIA- With strong support from Senator Dave Koehler, the Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria will receive $600,000 from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant to help continue ongoing improvements.

“Local parks are essential in community building especially in a time when it is more common for adults and children alike reach for a phone instead of racing to the swings,” Said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By revitalizing the park, we hope to see a renewed sense of excitement in spending time in the outdoors and meeting your fellow neighbors.”

OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since its establishment, OSLAD has awarded $675 million for park projects throughout Illinois.

A total of $36 million in grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects across Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. In Koehler’s district, the Pleasure Driveway Park District received $600,000 to improve Chartwell Park.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

Koehler’s pharmacy benefit manger reform takes effect

SPRINGFEILD- State Senator Dave Koehler’s law ending unfair practices by pharmacy benefit managers comes into full effect Jan. 1.

"Pharmacy benefit managers have too often prioritized profits at the expense of patients and local pharmacies," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "This new law allows transparency and fairness, keeping health care services affordable and accessible for Illinois families."

House Bill 1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, targets pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), entities that manage prescription drug benefits for insurers. This law will end harmful practices, such as “spread pricing,” where pharmacy benefit managers profit by charging insurers significantly more than what pharmacies receive. It also will restrict PBMs from profiting from the sale of drugs to pharmacies, and would require them to return 100% of pharmacy rebates back to the individuals or sponsoring organizations. Further, it prevents pharmacy benefit managers from unfairly steering patients toward particular pharmacies and stops PBMs from limiting an individual’s access to a drug from a pharmacy by classifying it as a “specialty drug.”

"Local pharmacies serve as trusted health care resources, particularly in underserved and rural communities," Koehler said. "This law protects consumers and community pharmacies from PBM harmful practices and prevents pharmacy deserts across Illinois."

House Bill 1697 takes effect Jan. 1.