Measure by Koehler to support special education students advances out of the Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would ensure that special education students in Illinois are able to complete their schooling passed out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“Students all across Illinois have faced significant challenges over the last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Koehler said. “It is no different for special education students, except that an interrupted school year may mean that they are unable to finish their education under current regulations.”

Current legislation states that students with disabilities may attend public school up to the day before their 22^nd birthday. At that point, regardless of when that is in the school year, they are no longer eligible. This legislation would allow students who turned 22 between March 17, 2020 and the end of the 2021-2022 school year who faced 3 or more months of COVID-related interruptions to their education to finish their school year.

“Students of all ages and abilities deserve the same opportunities when it comes to their education,” Koehler said.

House Bill 2748 passed out of the Senate with 56 votes.

Koehler calls for hearings on legislation requiring MCOs to return excess profits

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) pledged to continue work on his initiative to demand that excessive profits received by Managed Care Organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic be returned to the state.

“As we begin to move into a post-COVID-19 world, we’re seeing that managed care organizations brought in record-breaking profits while many communities across the state struggled to receive basic care and necessary resources during the pandemic,” Koehler said. “If we are able to reallocate excess profits from these companies, we can help hospitals stay open and keep providing lifesaving care in our low-income and rural communities.”

The legislation was filed in response to decreased health care service use during the period where elective surgeries and procedures were postponed. Decreased use resulted in MCOs paying fewer claims and therefore retaining unprecedented amounts of enrollment-based profit, the scope of which was revealed via a Better Government Association investigation. Those wishing to read more about the results of the investigation can visit the BGA’s website.

Koehler was joined in this initiative by State Representative Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates), who introduced identical legislation in the House.

Koehler intends to request continued hearings on SB 455.

IDNR seeking qualified applicants for the position of Conservation Police Officer

Offering competitive pay and benefits, including affordable, employer-sponsored health care, dental, and vision. Employer-furnished equipment, take-home patrol vehicle, flexible scheduling, and much more.

The job posting and application may be found at: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Springfield-CONSERVATION-POLICE-OFFICER-TRAINEE-0934500-IL-62702/737132600/Image

Applications must be signed and post marked/digitally submitted by May 31, 2021.  If submitting application via email, please scan and submit all pages as one document.

Criteria:  Must be at least 21 years of age upon date of hire, 4-year Bachelor’s Degree (any major), OR Associate’s Degree AND three years of Law Enforcement experience (single agency), OR Military service (Active, Reserve, or National Guard), currently serving or honorably discharged, with one or more of the following medals:  Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal

Hiring Process: Application Submission (CMS 100), Physical Fitness and Swimming, Proficiency Tests, In-person Interview, Psychological Examination, Medical Examination, Background Investigation 

Applicants who are currently employed as a full-time police officer with full law enforcement authority in the State of Illinois may be eligible to participate in a “fast-track” training process that would waive the 14-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  An additional paid, 14-week Conservation Academy must be completed as a condition of employment.   During these training academies, selected applicants will be provided meals and lodging on-site, Monday-Friday.

For further information please visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/LawEnforcement/Pages/ConservationPoliceOfficerCareerOpportunities.aspx or call or email your respective OLE recruiting officer listed on page 2.

 

CPO Tom Davis (McHenry Co)- Northeast Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (847) 404-3596

 

CPO Isaac Gerard (Woodford Co.)- Northwest Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (309) 214-0203

 

CPO Chase Sanford (Vermilion Co.)- Central Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (217) 361-9982

 

CPO Roberto Macias (Clinton Co.)- Southern Zone Recruiting Officer

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (618) 713-2705

Koehler announces nearly $40 million to come to the 46th District in 2022

PEORIA – Central Illinois communities will see nearly $40 million in funding for road and bridge projects in 2022 as part of the latest Multi-Year Plan under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Rebuild Illinois initiative, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Friday.

“Our communities stand to benefit greatly from investment of this scale,” Koehler said. “Not only will these projects invigorate our economy and create good-paying jobs, but they will ensure safer commutes for our residents and generally benefit everyone who drives on our roads, crosses our bridges, or walks on our sidewalks.”

The funding comes as an installment of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan which aims to promote economic growth and reliable infrastructure throughout the state. This Multi-Year Plan will invest $20.7 billion in over 2,700 miles of roads and nearly 8 million square feet of bridges across Illinois over the span of the next six years.

The roughly $40 million being dedicated to the 46^th District will fund 19 projects slated to begin next year. The list of projects includes a great deal of work in regards to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act, the repair or reconstruction of several bridges, additional lanes, new sidewalks, and improved intersections throughout the district. Most notably, long awaited repairs will begin on Route 24 and Galena Road.

Significant repairs that will begin in 2022 include:

• $1 million worth of repairs to Route 24
• 14 miles of repairs to I-474 worth $24 million
• Upgrades to the US 150 bridge over the Illinois River worth more than $3 million
• Upgrades worth $2 million on the IL 8 / IL 116 bridge in East Peoria

Those interested can find a comprehensive list of projects slated for the 46^th District on IDOT’s website.