Farmington students push lawmakers to improve education funding

SPRINGFIELD — Amid growing uncertainty about the future of education funding in Illinois, a groups of Farmington students recently traveled to the Capitol to lend their voice to the effort to overhaul how the state funds public schools.

“We are Illinois’ future. You should give us all a fair chance,” said Michael Morrison, 14, who will be a freshman at Farmington High School in the fall.

Morrison was among the students, teachers and administrators who observed proceedings and met with their local lawmakers during the last scheduled day of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session. Lawmakers later adjourned without sending a final education budget to the governor.

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Koehler to host Into the Golden Years financial literacy roundtable

• Community Event

PEKIN – State Senator Dave Koehler will be hosting a financial planning and literacy roundtable for residents entering the golden years at the Pekin Public Library on Wed., June 15.

Representatives from the Treasurer's Office, Attorney General's Office, Prairie State Legal Services and more will offer information about reverse mortgages, homestead freezes, wills, power of attorney, financial planning and planning for retirement.

Doors open: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Panel discussion: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
When: Wednesday, June 15
Where: Pekin Public Library, 301 S. 4th St., Pekin, IL 61554

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Koehler makes voting easier for area residents

• SB 250
• automatic voter registration

SPRINGFIELD – Voting would be easier for Peoria-area residents under legislation that State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) supported on Thursday.

Senate Bill 250 would bring automatic voter registration to Illinois and remove a burden from individual voters.

“Under this legislation, the people will have more of a chance to have their voices heard without unnecessary obstacles and will create more safeguards to protect against voter fraud by streamlining the process,” said Koehler. “With automatic voter registration we are making it easier for all citizens to join the political process by voting.”

With SB 250, when someone applies for an Illinois state ID or driver’s license they will automatically be registered to vote. Automatic voter registration is a more cost-effective, streamlined system that also gets more citizens engaged in the political process. With this bill, people will still have the option to opt-out of being a registered voter.  

Senate Bill 250 passed the Senate and now goes to the House for further consideration.

Koehler votes to free up social service funding

• Mental Health
• Budget
• Health Care
• SB 2038

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Senate passed a bipartisan plan to restore the state's critical social services. State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) voted to restore nearly $715 million for seniors, the homeless, residents with medical concerns and social service providers.

"Authorizing dollars to be passed from the state to local level so they can provide services is particularly important," Koehler said. "This is the first step in the right direction to not only helping seniors, urban and rural families in central Illinois but in solving the budget impasse."

Senate Bill 2038 would help human service providers from having to shut their doors. Dollar amounts for key components are below:

•    Nearly $250 million to the Department of Human Services for homeless assistance and prevention programs and services, sexual assault programs, autism programs, mental health services, addiction services and after school programs.

•    More than $240 million to the Department on Aging for the Community Care Program, elder abuse and neglect and home delivered meals.

•    More than $20 million for breast and cervical cancer screenings, AIDS/HIV services, prostate cancer research, children's health programs and SIDS services.

Senate Bill 2038 passed the Senate 56 to 0 and now goes to the governor’s desk.