Koehler joins Senate in advancing Fair Tax amendment

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate voted today to ask the voters if the state should change the way it taxes income.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) joined his colleagues in supporting Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1, which would allow the state to implement a fair tax system.

“A minimum wage worker in the Peoria area shouldn’t pay the same tax rate as a millionaire,” Koehler said. “By adopting this amendment, we can make the needed changes to keep our budget balanced and invest in needed improvements to our infrastructure, schools and colleges.”

Under the current Illinois Constitution adopted in 1970, income can only be taxed at a flat rate, meaning a person making $25,000 a year pays the same tax rate as a person making $1 million. Of the 41 states with income taxes, only 9 have a flat tax. The rest tax income at a graduated rate, meaning higher income earners pay higher rates.

“Under the proposed rates of Senate Bill 687, 99.2% of my district will get a tax break or pay the same,” Koehler added.

SJRCA 1 passed the Senate and now goes onto the Illinois House.

Koehler passes resolution honoring 100th anniversary of Easterseals

SPRINGFIELD – A resolution sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) honoring the 100 years of work done by Easterseals, America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, was adopted by the Illinois Senate today.

“The work in the community that Easterseals does is irreplaceable,” Koehler said. “This resolution helps us honor that work and remind people of the struggles the different communities Easterseals serves are faced with every day.”

Senate Resolution 199 declares April 3, 2019, as “Easterseals Day” in Illinois, 100 years to the day Edgar Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children, which grew into the Easterseals.

Allen’s activism began after his young son was killed in a streetcar accident. Allen sold his business to begin a fundraising campaign to build a hospital due to the lack of adequate care for his son. He later learned of the terrible conditions children with disabilities faced and directed his efforts to his new organization.

Today, Easterseals is a strong partner with governments, corporations, foundations, and other sectors to connect individuals and families to early intervention and childhood education services, autism spectrum disorder services, employment assistance and placement, mental health services, respite, camping and recreation, and caregiving and aging supports

Koehler passes measure to stop government credit cards from being stolen

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation intended to protect the credit card and bank account numbers of government entities was passed by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) today.

“This is one of those pieces of legislation that is hard to believe needed to happen,” Koehler said. “We must take every precaution to protect these credit cards from getting misused or worse, stolen.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 1712, would exempt credit card numbers, debit card numbers, bank account numbers, Federal Employer Identification Number, security code numbers, passwords, and similar account information from Freedom of Information Act Requests if it is believed the disclosure could result in identity theft or the defrauding of a government entity.

SB 1712 passed the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House of Representatives.

Koehler seeks local input for Peoria infrastructure hearing

SPRINGFIELD – Local government entities and other organizations in Central Illinois will have the chance to share their thoughts this April on a potential infrastructure plan for the state at a hearing for the Transportation Subcommittee on Capital.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) pushed for Peoria to be included in a statewide tour of hearings to highlight local infrastructure needs.

“I’m glad that the Peoria area will get the chance to show what projects are needed and how they can have a positive effect on jobs and the economy,” Koehler said. “I invite any local groups that wish to express interest in testifying or submitting written testimony to reach out to my office.”

Anyone wishing to express interest in testifying or submit testimony is encouraged to email the senator’s office with their name and organization at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The hearing will take place on April 8th at the Peplow Pavilion in the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center located on the campus of Bradley University.