Koehler commends over $700k in state funding awarded to Peoria and Tazewell Counties for energy transition

PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced that Peoria County, Peoria Park District and Tazewell County are set to receive a total of $770,552 in state funding designed to support communities impacted by plant or mine retirements established under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

“Back in 2021 when CEJA passed, I said that we must be proactive in helping communities that are adversely effected by the transition to a limited emissions energy economy,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “I believe that these communities not only deserve these dollars, but continued funding for years to come.”

The $40 million program was designed to meet the needs of individual localities by addressing the economic and social impacts of plant closures. The funding can be used on a variety of initiatives and investments, including workforce initiatives, housing support, business attraction efforts and more. Recipients were selected by responding to a Notice of Funding Opportunity with a letter of support from the municipality or county where the plant or mine was located.

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Koehler announces $855,000 investment for Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced Friday that $855,000 for renovations and improvements were secured for the Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria.

“Investments in our parks help improve the well-being of our community,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Improving our local green spaces allows children and families to enjoy the outdoors, and provides more recreational opportunities for residents.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 park districts across the state through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This is the largest amount of funding since the program began 36 years ago.

The Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria will receive $855,000 from these grants. The funding allows the park district to renovate spaces, expand sidewalks, develop new facilities and more.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

Koehler outlines measure to bring awareness of Underground Railroad history

PEORIA – Alongside a number of local officials at a press conference Monday, State Senator Dave Koehler outlined his measure that will bring awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois through the creation of a task force.

“This bill continues Illinois’ path as a beacon of hope for women and people of color,” said Koehler (D – Peoria) “The more we understand the significance the Underground Railroad had throughout the state, the more opportunities our children are able to learn of its importance, and the consequences slavery had throughout our nation.”

Senate Bill 1623 would establish the Underground Railroad Task Force. The group would develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

The press conference was in the same cemetery where Moses Pettingill is buried in in Peoria. Pettingill was a significant figure in the Illinois Underground Railroad, helping countless slaves cross the Illinois River in search of freedom. He is credited as founder of Peoria’s Underground Railroad.

Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman – who spearheaded the measure – was among those who spoke.

“Currently, there are many regional landmarks of the Underground Railroad throughout the state, but there is really no way of connecting them together," said Ackerman. “This task force give us the ability to tie all of these regional pockets together to tell the story of just how long the path the Underground Rail Road was in Illinois, and the lengths that abolitionists and slaves took in search of freedom.”

This bipartisan effort will focus on identifying where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will illustrate the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1623 passed the Senate State Government Committee last week. It now awaits a hearing before the full Senate.

Koehler opens new office in Bloomington-Normal

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler is inviting the community to join him at an Open House at his new Bloomington-Normal office Friday March 3 from 10-11 a.m.

“I am excited be working in the Bloomington-Normal area,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Bloomington-Normal has a lot of new and exciting opportunities for residents of our community. This office provides me the opportunity to meet with you and offer aid and assistance with the operations of the state.”

The public is welcome to stop by and chat with the Senator and tour the office. The office marks the beginning of his representation of the greater Bloomington-Normal area.

The new office is located at 216 N Center St. in Bloomington, right across the street from the McLean County Museum of History.

Senator Koehler’s offices are run by his chief of staff, Jennifer Allison, who is based in his Peoria-area office. In the new Bloomington office, Joshua Crockett will be working as Koehler’s director of constituent outreach. In Springfield, Aaron Tebrinke is working as Koehler’s legislative assistant. People can contact any of these offices to see if they can be of assistance.

The Bloomington-Normal Office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Appointments are not required, but are encouraged as the district office staff is often out at events. Appointments can be made by calling Koehler’s Bloomington office at 309-808-2345.