Welcome to Senator Dave Koehler legislative website

Koehler highlights grant opportunity for municipalities and park districts

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler is encouraging park districts and municipalities in the 46th District to apply for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant.

“Our parks play an essential role in building a sense of community. Spending time outdoors and getting to know your fellow neighbor strengthens our community bond,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “By revitalizing our parks, we are investing in the well-being of the families and friends who use them.”  

This year, $37.5 million in grant funding is available for qualifying applicants. IDNR will provide funding to cover 90% of eligible projects in underserved communities. Eligible projects can include development or renovation of picnic tables, playgrounds, fishing piers, sports courts/fields, park paths and more.

Communities whose parks have been damaged as a result of severe weather are encouraged to apply as well.

OSLAD is a matching state grant program that offers monetary assistance for the acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. Since its establishment in 1986, OSLAD has awarded over $675 million for local park projects across the state.

“I want to encourage the eligible parks in our community to apply for the OSLAD grant,” said Koehler. “This opportunity to make improvements to our local parks is an essential step toward a more interconnected community of people.”

The application is open now and closes on Aug. 31. More information can be found here.

Koehler announces over $780,000 for local libraries and school districts

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced that 18 public libraries and school districts will receive more than $780,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.

“School and community libraries are cornerstones for children’s learning and development, and supporting them ensures they can continue to educate the future of our region,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “These investments will help reignite the joy of learning and empower our youth with the resources they need to be successful.”

More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In Koehler’s district, nine libraries and nine school districts received funding, including:

• Bloomington School District 87 - $3,853
• East Peoria Community High School District 309 - $850
• East Peoria SD 86 - $1,170
• Illinois State University Laboratory SD 901 - $964
• Limestone Community High School District 310 - $850
• McLean County Unit District 5 - $10,216
• Washington District 50 Schools - $850
• Peoria PSD 150 - $10,307
• Pleasant Valley School District 62 - $850
• Alpha Park Public Library District - $139,272
• Bloomington Public Library - $133,756
• Golden Prairie Public Library District - $14,028
• Carlock Public Library District - $35,197
• Deer Creek District Library - $2,696
• Fondulac Public Library District - $34,469
• Normal Public Library - $89,651
• Peoria Public Library - $292,113
• Peoria Heights Public Library - $10,044

A full list of public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here.

Koehler law bolsters protections for public media at state colleges

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s House Bill 4420, which enhances editorial independence and makes changes to the College Campus Press Act to include professional journalist on campus has become law.

“The freedom to investigate a story is how journalism thrives and real reform happens,” Said Koehler (D-Peoria) “Denying editorial independence to our aspiring journalists and professional journalists on campus is denying our communities honest stories about the real events taking place on and off campus.”

This law modifies the College Campus Press Act to define public media produced at a state-supported institution of higher learning. The measure states that public media and professional journalists 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 change in law allows 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.

“As good journalism is more crucial than ever, we intend to support their storytelling efforts,” Koehler said.

House Bill 4420 was signed into law Friday.

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.”