Welcome to Senator Dave Koehler legislative website

Koehler applauds another balanced budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) released the following statement after the governors Fiscal Year 2027 Budget passed the Senate Monday:

“As we stare down a nationwide affordability crisis, we face a different set of challenges for this year’s budget. It was important for us to balance the budget while making Illinois a more affordable place to live, despite the federal administration's inconsistence on issues like SNAP funding, higher education, and school funding. We have once again provided a balanced budget that funds our critical social safety nets.

“We are meeting the moment we are in by adding $17 million for school lunch programs and supporting the FRESH benefits program to supplement those who are losing or have reduced SNAP benefits. Additionally, we are bolstering higher education and implementing a back to school sales tax holiday, which will drop the states sales tax on school supplies for several days – providing relief for families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Even with our state caught in the crossfire of the federal administration, we are still finding ways to help fund those who need it the most, whether that is SNAP benefits, school lunches and supplies, or our higher education system.”   

Koehler measure to strengthen nursing home mental health reviews advances

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s legislation to improve oversight and follow-up care for nursing home residents has advanced out of the Senate.

“One of our most vulnerable population is our nursing home residents. Thoughtful care requires thoughtful polices,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “With this measure, we are ensuring people living with serious mental illness within our nursing homes will receive the care required for them to safely be integrated back into their communities.”

House Bill 4509 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services or a designee to visit any individual admitted to a nursing home with a diagnosis of serious mental illness within 60 days of admission. It would also require a resident review within 72 hours when a resident with serious mental illness experiences a significant change in their physical or mental health. 

The legislation would also require IDHS to ensure there are no conflicts of interest among the employees administering pre-admission screenings. The goal is to give families the confidence that the residents are being evaluated fairly and appropriately.

“Families deserve peace of mind that their elderly family members who cared so deeply for them are receiving the same care,” Said Koehler “Strengthening these reviews is a commonsense step that will put our resident’s safety first.”

House Bill 4509 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the governor’s desk for final action.

Koehler advances legislation protecting editorial independence for public media at state universities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler has advanced legislation that will help strengthen press protections for public media produced at state-supported colleges and universities in Illinois.

“Journalism is what keeps our local and state officials in check,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “To deny editorial independence for our budding college journalist would be doing a disservice to our communities.”

House Bill 4420 would modify the College Campus Press Act to define public media produced at a state-supported institution of higher learning. The measure states that public media at these institutions would not be subject to prior review by the institution's public officials, and expression by employees or agents producing the media would not be considered speech attributable to the institution itself. 

The bill would also allow an employee or agent of an entity that creates or distributes public media at a state-supported institution of higher learning to bring a civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief if the act is violated.

“We must allow our aspiring journalist to carve out a path for themselves,” Said Koehler. “Journalists are the first line of protection in democracy and that has never been more important than now.”

House Bill 4420 passed the Senate Wednesday and now moves to the governor’s desk.

Koehler moves bill to protect editorial independence for public media at state universities

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Dave Koehler is sponsoring legislation to strengthen press protections for public media produced at state-supported colleges and universities in Illinois.

“Student and campus-based public media play an intimate role in informing their communities,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This bill would help protect editorial independence and make clear that public officials at state universities should not be controlling newsroom content.”

House Bill 4420 would modify the College Campus Press Act to define public media produced at a state-supported institution of higher learning. The measure states that public media at these institutions would not be subject to prior review by the institution's public officials, and expression by employees or agents producing the media would not be considered speech attributable to the institution itself. 

The bill would also allow an employee or agent of an entity that creates or distributes public media at a state-supported institution of higher learning to bring a civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief if the act is violated.

“When journalists have the freedom to report without interference, the public is better served,” Koehler said.

HB4420 passed the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday.