PEORIA – With winter weather on the horizon, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is urging residents to use the Getting Around Illinois road conditions map to ensure safe travel this winter.

“Driving on snowy, icy roads can be challenging and dangerous, whether you’re a new driver or have been on the road for decades,” Koehler said. “We all want to get to our destinations safely, and Getting Around Illinois can help us achieve that goal.”

The revamped map will show how weather events are impacting roads under the jurisdictions of the more than 120 snow-and-ice removal teams that work out of Illinois Department of Transportation facilities throughout the state. Additionally, conditions on interstates and U.S. routes, which carry the most traffic in Illinois, will be given priority reporting status and appear more boldly on the map.

“Illinois winters are notorious for changing quickly and drastically, sometimes over just a few miles. These improvements to Getting Around Illinois will give travelers information that’s more reliable and more local,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “I urge you to bookmark and regularly check this valuable resource to help you stay safe and prepared throughout the winter.”

GettingAroundIllinois.com is available on both computers and smartphones, with the winter road conditions feature alone averaging more than 2.5 million views each year. A short video on how to use the new map and review conditions can be viewed here.

PEORIA – College-bound students in Illinois will now be able to apply to any of Illinois’ 12 public schools, as well as dozens of private institutions, using only one online form, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced.

Koehler and other members of the Illinois General Assembly worked alongside the Illinois Board of Higher Education to allot $1 million in funding that will add all of the state’s public universities to the Common App platform, making it easier for students in Illinois to consider staying in-state for their college education.

“We are lucky to have so many outstanding colleges and universities here in Central Illinois and across the state,” Koehler said. “By making it easier for students to apply for and be accepted into these schools, we are encouraging them to stay in Illinois and use their knowledge and skills to build a brighter future for our state.”

Waivers are also available for low-income Common App applicants who may be concerned about the cost of applying for college, but some Illinois colleges have no application fees or will waive fees if necessary.

“Having all of the public universities on the Common App will make it easier for students to apply,” said Ginger Ostro, executive director of IBHE. “We see this as a tool for more students to explore the opportunities at all Illinois colleges and universities and remain in Illinois for their post-secondary education.”

Koehler encourages all interested students and families to visit the Common App website to learn more about the application process.

PEORIA – In recognition of sacrifices made by brave Illinoisans who have served our country, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is inviting people to write friendly and encouraging letters to residents of veteran’s homes ahead of Veterans Day.

“I am proud to represent a great deal of veterans across Central Illinois,” Koehler said. “Our communities benefit every day from the sacrifices they have made for us, and it is important that we show our appreciation and honor those sacrifices.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.

“Especially during this time of uncertainty and isolation for many people living in long-term care facilities, kind messages and words of encouragement are an easy way to make our veterans feel remembered and appreciated,” Koehler said. “I hope that members of our community will take the time to reach out and make a positive impact.”

The campaign will focus on veterans’ homes in Illinois, located in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. To send a message to a veteran or a veteran home, visit Send-a-note. For people wanting to send physical letters, locations for each of the veterans’ homes can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – Communities in central Illinois and across the state would receive quicker and more reliable emergency medical services under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that advanced out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“By not allowing qualified and certified emergency medical personnel to work in their field, we run the risk of denying lifesaving care to our communities,” Koehler said. "This legislation works to ensure that our EMS providers are well-staffed, and that emergency care in Illinois is efficient and reliable.”

House Bill 2431 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt rules that would allow EMS personnel who have both been certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and have applied for licensure to operate on provisional status.

This legislation will address staffing shortages in the EMS industry across the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many EMS providers have faced challenges finding adequate staffing and keeping ambulances available to serve communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our health care workers especially hard, leading to staffing shortages,” Koehler said. “I hope that EMS staffs across the state are able to receive assistance and relief as a result of this legislation.”

House Bill 2431 will now return to the House for further consideration.