Welcome to Senator Dave Koehler legislative website

Koehler announces nearly $500,000 to boost Bloomington-Normal tourism

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler is excited to share that nearly $500,000 is coming to Bloomington-Normal to promote local tourism, attract international visitors and enhance destinations along historic Route 66.

“Route 66 has connected people to communities like ours for a century, and its anniversary gives us an incredible opportunity to introduce even more visitors to everything Bloomington-Normal has to offer,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “These investments will help preserve the character and history that make our region special while bringing more visitors through the doors of our local restaurants, shops and attractions.”

In total, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $4.6 million to 49 tourism organizations across the state through three tourism investment grant programs.

Through the Route 66 Grant Program, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive $351,794 to support nine projects along the historic highway. The investments will preserve and enhance attractions along the roadway, including restoration of Lexington’s historic Oasis Drive-In sign and site and continued restoration of Sprague’s Super Service in Normal, one of the county’s best-known Route 66 landmarks. Funding will also support visitor amenities, public art, improvements to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and dog watering stations at Bloomington’s Miller Park.

The Bloomington-Normal Area CVB will receive an additional $51,806 through the International Tourism Grant Program to promote the region to travelers abroad. Funding will support international digital advertising, radio and podcast placements in Germany, travel trade tours from the United Kingdom, media tours and outreach to tour operators.

Further, the Bloomington-Normal Area CVB will receive $92,500 through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program to produce professional destination marketing videos showcasing the region’s attractions, events, Route 66 heritage, arts and culture, and other unique visitor experiences.

“Tourism is economic development,” Koehler said. “When we give people another reason to visit Bloomington-Normal and spend time here, they support our small businesses, generate economic activity and help share the story of Central Illinois with people from around the country and the world.”

More information and a full list of grant recipients can be found here.

Koehler shares funding opportunity for local fire departments

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler is encouraging eligible fire departments and ambulance services to apply for funding through the Small Equipment Grant Program.

“Fire departments provide an essential service to our community,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “There is no question that this funding helps our first responders operate more efficiently. We want to ensure they have all the tools necessary to get the job done safely and in time to assist those in need.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program assists fire departments and nonprofit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those experiencing difficulty in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The grants allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small tools and equipment they may otherwise not be able to afford.

A total of $6 million in funding is available through this year’s program to support eligible fire departments and EMS services. Previously, 264 fire departments, fire protection districts and EMS providers across the state were provided nearly $6 million.

All interested departments and ambulance services must submit applications electronically utilizing the application portal that can be found on the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s website.

Koehler shares disaster assistance available to those impacted by summer storms

Peoria – State Senator Dave Koehler is sharing details for disaster assistance for those affected by the summer storms. Families and businesses in Mclean and Tazewell County may be eligible for recovery assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration as well as waived tax penalties and interest.

“After a brutal storm season that hit our community particular hard, it is crucial that we get our community back on track and help those who need it,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “With some residents and businesses still feeling the effects of the storms, this temporary tax relief will provide much needed support to those who are impacted.”

Residents seeking a waiver of penalties and interest for taxes should send a brief written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding why they cannot file timely or pay. They should provide their full name, account number (if using a Social Security number, include only the last four digits), mailing address, and an estimate of when they believe they can file or pay their taxes.

Requests may be submitted electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by postal mail using the address on the return. When submitting by mail, taxpayers should write “Severe Storms - Summer 2026” at the top of the return in red ink and attach or include the explanation for requesting abatement of penalties and interest.

Taxpayers who experienced property damage should contact their county supervisor of assessments if they wish to apply for a reassessment.

Additionally, residents of Mclean and Tazewell County are eligible to apply for SBA’s long-term, low interest disaster loans. Three types of loans are available:

• Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment.  These applications must be received by the SBA no later than Oct. 19, 2026.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofits meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a result of the disaster. These applications must be submitted to the SBA no later than May 18, 2027.
• Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. These loan applications are due Oct. 19, 2026.

Local governments across the 46th District are also eligible to apply for disaster response funding through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Block Grant, which will provide reimbursement for storm cleanup, debris removal and infrastructure repairs to public properties.

Koehler announces $3.15 million state grant for Lockport industrial site development

PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the recipients of the second round of the Regional Site Readiness program. Two projects in State Senator Dave Koehler’s district will receive a combined $3.15 million to prepare sites for future industrial development.

“Preparing sites for future business investment is one of the best ways we can strengthen our regional economy and create good-paying jobs,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “These grants will help ensure our communities are ready to attract new employers, expand economic opportunity and support long-term growth across central Illinois.”

The Central Illinois Regional Airport Authority was awarded $3 million through the Capital Ready Grants Program for road construction to serve a 51-acre industrial development site at the airport. Additionally, Peoria County received a $150,000 Planning Grant to support site planning and infrastructure improvement assessments for a 53-acre industrial site.

The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development across the state through flexible funding that supports planning, construction and infrastructure improvements needed for future development. A total of $35 million was awarded to projects across Illinois.

The program includes two competitive funding opportunities: Planning Grants to support due diligence activities, studies and site plans, and Capital Ready Grants to support capital infrastructure improvements.

“The state’s investments in the Regional Site Readiness Program are preparing sites for business across all 10 of our Economic Development Regions,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With double the funding available for the program, this second round of grants is supporting 30 grantees across Illinois as they ready their sites for business attraction and development.”

For a full list of grant recipients, click here.