Koehler reacts to news of potential Blagojevich commutation

SPRINGFIELD – Disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich could receive a commutation from President Trump according to reports on Thursday. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement:

“In 2009, the Illinois Senate, in a unanimous vote of 59 to 0, voted to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. I was one of those 59 Senators. After I heard testimony from an FBI source about his shakedown of a children’s hospital for a political donation before he would sign an important piece of legislation, it was pretty clear that we had a corrupt governor.

“He was ultimately convicted of numerous crimes and sent to prison. Had he ever come clean with the public about what he had done in a humble and sincere way, I could feel sorry for him. But to this day his arrogance pervades.

“President Trump's consideration of giving him a commutation confirms for me that the common bonds between the pair are arrogance and ego-centricity. “

Senate passes balanced budget

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a balanced budget with bipartisan support today.

The bipartisan budget, which was worked on by lawmakers from Chicago to downstate, includes $350 million for the new school funding formula, a 2 percent increase in funding for community colleges and nearly $600 million in cuts and savings.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said the budget is a testament to what happens when rank-and-file legislators are able to work together to find common ground.

“When we tried to pass the ‘Grand Bargain’ last year, we were stopped at every step by the governor,” Koehler said. “This budget represents an opportunity for the governor to finally do the right thing, I think he should sign it the day it reaches his desk.”

The budget now goes to the House of Representatives for approval.

Koehler passes measure to redevelop former Hanna City Work Camp

“Any opportunity to grow jobs in downstate Illinois should be looked at,” Koehler said. “By allowing the private sector to come in and create jobs, we are helping the community.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed legislation today allowing Peoria County to redevelop the site of the former Hanna City Work Camp for private use.

The property was obtained by the county in 2008 under the condition that is would remain available for public use or be returned to the state. House Bill 4319 would allow Peoria County to sell the land for private development.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) sponsored the legislation alongside State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) and State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) to spur economic growth in rural Peoria County.

“Any opportunity to grow jobs in downstate Illinois should be looked at,” Koehler said. “By allowing the private sector to come in and create jobs, we are helping the community.”

The state will receive 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale under HB 4319. The measure now goes to the governor.

Koehler passes measure helping families of fallen soldiers

“To be frank, I was shocked to learn that this isn’t already the law,” Koehler said. “Gold Star families shouldn’t be tied down to leases when going through the loss of a loved one.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would give families of armed service members killed in action or on duty the power to terminate their fallen loved ones’ lease obligations passed the Illinois Senate today.

Current law allows service members to terminate a lease if they receive orders for a change in duty station or deployment longer than 90 days. House Bill 4317 would extend the right to terminate to the dependents of fallen service members.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is sponsoring the measure after a constituent in his district brought the matter to Springfield.

“To be frank, I was shocked to learn that this isn’t already the law,” Koehler said. “Gold Star families shouldn’t be tied down to leases when going through the loss of a loved one.”

HB 4317 now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.