Koehler measure for assisted living homestead exemption passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would extend the homestead property tax exemption to individuals in supportive living facilities was passed in the Illinois Senate today. Senate Bill 1887 would extend the property tax homestead exemption to seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities living in a supportive living program

Currently, an individual can be awarded the homestead exemption when they become a resident of a nursing home and still own their original place of residence.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the legislation’s sponsor.

“This is a crucial step in guaranteeing that our citizens are being treated fairly by the tax system,” Koehler said. “That is why I believe we should extend this exemption to individuals in assisted living facilities the same way we do for nursing homes.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives.

Creve Coeur Public Library receives grant from Illinois Secretary of State

• Creve Coeur'
• Tazewell County

“Providing funds for libraries that foster growth and education will be beneficial for generations to come.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

PEORIA – The Creve Coeur Public Library will receive a grant from the Illinois State Library, according to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office. The library will receive $35,000 to assist with construction costs after being recommended by a statewide committee.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) represents Creve Coeur in the Senate.

“This grant is great news for the Creve Coeur community,” Koehler said. “Providing funds for libraries that foster growth and education will be beneficial for generations to come.”

The grant is being awarded to the Creve Coeur Public Library is through the Live and Learn Construction Grant Program. Grants are awarded by the Illinois secretary of state based on recommendations from a statewide committee following a review process.

The Illinois secretary of state also serves as the state librarian.

Koehler unveils new environmental protections with local farmers

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what exactly is going to be built in their backyard.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – New legislation aimed at protecting the environment in rural Illinois was unveiled at the in the Illinois Senate today. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) unveiled a package of legislation that would make changes to the regulations governing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs.

CAFOs are farm facilities with a large concentration of animals such as hogs. Recently, a plan for a CAFO that would hold 20,000 head of hogs in rural Fulton County was withdrawn after a considerable push back from the public.

Joined by farmers from all across the state, Koehler introduced the legislation to bring transparency to the process of planning and expanding hog farms.

“People in rural Illinois deserve to know what exactly is going to be built in their backyard,” Koehler said. “Registering these facilities and getting wastewater management plans on file are just of few of the steps we can take to make sure the public health of rural Illinoisans will be protected.”

Downstate domestic violence shelter devastated by budget impasse

• Budget

"[I] hope that pressure from our districts will spur action and help pass a budget that funds important services rather than cater to special interests.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

PEORIA – A Peoria social service provider that helps victims of domestic abuse is one of the many groups affected by a cut of $9 million in state funding.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse stands to lose $200,000 due to the cut. The organization was already owed over $400,000 by the state for previous programs the state never reimbursed them for.

Despite the lack of support from state agencies, The Center has been able to prevent service cuts thanks to conservative budgeting and community support.

Executive Director Carol Merna says The Center has had to dismantle some of their crucial services in order to cope with the budget cuts.

“The 20-month-long budget impasse in Illinois is taking a toll on our organization and those we serve,” Merna said. “Thus far we have been made to dismantle our ‘Safe from the Start’ program, a community response program dedicated to reducing trauma that very young children experience when they are exposed to violence, whether as a first-hand victim of abuse, neglect or maltreatment or as a witness of physical, emotional or sexual violence or a violent crime.”

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) says many social service providers like The Center for Prevention of Abuse that have fallen victim to the impasse in Springfield would have been funded in the bipartisan budget plan negotiated by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).

“Cuts like those made to the Center are unacceptable,” Koehler said. “It is my hope that pressure from our districts will spur action and help pass a budget that funds important services rather than cater to special interests.”

Director Merna added that the Center’s programs are crucial for the state

“These programs, and others like them that are teetering on the brink represent people in crisis,” Merna said. “Instead of widening the divide, we absolutely must be the bridge that ensures well-being so that everyone can contribute to our communities.”

The Center has recently begun a social media campaign to raise awareness of the cuts by urging people to take a picture with a sign that says “#iamthebridge” and posting it to social media.