Koehler announces availability of $50 million in Connect Illinois grants to expand broadband access in rural areas

PEORIA – To continue expanding access to quality broadband in rural areas, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced $50 million in funding are available through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program’s second round of grants today.

“In order to participate in the 21^st Century economy, people need reliable, affordable internet access,” Koehler said. “By setting aside money in the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan to improve our broadband infrastructure, Downstate businesses, schools, farmers and health care providers will have the opportunity to flourish on a whole new level.”

With the help of a $3.1 million grant to Century Enterprises, Inc., the first round of Connect Illinois grants jumpstarted the process of providing improved access to high-speed internet for approximately to 581 households, businesses, farms and other institutions across parts of Peoria, Knox and Fulton counties. Communities that received new or improved connections included Rapatee, Laura, Dunlap, Kickapoo, Hanna City, Trivoli, Knoxville, Princeville, Williamsfield, Maquon, Bernadotte and Ipava.

The second round of Connect Illinois grants will allow for up to $5 million per project and calls for a matching component, which requires companies to dedicate funding that will accelerate the delivery of broadband investments. 

Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through Rebuild Illinois, the state’s historic, bipartisan $45 billion statewide construction program, which dedicates $420 million to broadband infrastructure.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through February 2021. More information on this grant program can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

Koehler urges investigation into Legionnaires’ outbreak at UAW senior center

PEORIA – In a letter to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) urged an investigation into the Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at the UAW Senior Citizen Center housing facility in Pekin.

“People at the UAW center are now living with the threat of two infectious diseases circulating in their home,” Koehler said. “This matter could spiral out of control quickly, and coupled with COVID-19 infection, it would be a disaster for the folks residing at this facility. I look forward to working alongside the IDPH, their team, and the building’s management to implement measures to address the disease.”

At the present time, residents of the 215 apartments in the facility are unable to use faucets, leaving them with filtered showerheads as their only source of water.

To follow up the letter to the IDPH, Koehler, along with his wife Nora Sullivan, matched a Salvation Army donation of 215 cases of bottled water for those impacted by the outbreak. Area residents can also assist their neighbors by dropping off water donations to the facility at 444 S Parkway Dr, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

Koehler: Our wellbeing depends on the success of our farmers

New grant program available for ag businesses hit by COVID-19

PEORIA – $5 million in financial assistance will be available to livestock producers and small meat and poultry plants hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic via the Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Thursday. 

Koehler, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, advocated on behalf of this initiative during last spring’s budget negotiations.

“The economic wellbeing of our state depends so heavily of the success of our farmers,” Koehler said. “It’s our job to ensure our farmers with the financial resources they need to continue putting food on the table of all Illinoisans.”

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced the processing of livestock throughout the state, which led to farmers holding animals for a longer period of time with further input costs and cancelled, delayed or reduced sales.

Financial assistance is available through three programs administered by the Dept. of Ag. Individuals and businesses are only eligible to apply for one program, and applicants located in a disproportionately impacted area will receive a 10% increase in funding. A list of DIA’s can be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

Online applications are available at agr.state.il.us. Applications will close on Oct. 31, 2020. Questions about this funding can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Local schools to get nearly $2 million for digital upgrades

PEORIA – School districts in the 46^th Illinois Senate District are set to receive nearly $2 million in government funding to improve students’ access to digital technology, including more than $700,000 for Peoria School District 150.

“E-learning is playing such an important role as we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “I know our local school districts will use these funds to help ensure every student has access to the technology they need to continue their education during this difficult time.”

The Digital Equity Formula Grants, funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, are intended to help schools bridge the digital divide. School districts can use the funds to expand connectivity and provide students with devices like computers or tablets.

Local school districts receiving significant funding include:

• Peoria SD 150 - $736,257
• Pekin PSD 108 - $223,076
• Canton Union SD 66 - $159,905
• Pekin CSD 303 - $130,847
• Farmington Central CUSD 265 - $100,292

Bartonville SD 66, Creve Coeur SD 76, East Peoria CHSD 309, Lewistown CUSD 97, Limestone CHSD 310, Monroe SD 70, North Pekin and Marquette Heights SD 102, Norwood ESD 63, Pleasant Hill SD 69, and Pleasant Valley SD 62 will also receive money to help their students.

Funding was distributed using a need-based formula. The full list of schools receiving funds is available on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.