FULTON COUNTY – A treacherous highway in Fulton County will be expanded to four lanes if state leaders, including State Senator Dave Koehler and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, have their way.

In a speech before the Senate Wednesday, Cullerton called for a capital bill to help rebuild the state’s infrastructure. He specifically highlighted the need to expand U.S. 24 to four lanes into Fulton County.

Koehler, a Peoria Democrat who represents northeastern Fulton County, said expanding the route will be one of his top priorities in the upcoming legislative session.

“It seems like every week we hear about another tragic accident on Route 24,” he said. “I plan on working with President Cullerton and other area legislators to secure funding in a capital bill to make that road safer and put people to work.”

Koehler was promoted this week to the Senate’s leadership team. He is now an assistant majority leader.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) was named an Assistant Majority Leader for the 101st General Assembly today.

Koehler, who represents Peoria, Fulton and Tazewell Counties, issued the following statement:

“As we move forward with rebuilding our state after the budget impasse, it is important that downstate Illinois has a voice at the table. It is my goal to articulate that voice to the rest of the Senate’s leadership team. I want to thank President Cullerton for this great opportunity.”

LEWISTOWN – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is urging caution among Fulton County residents in order to avoid scams in the wake of the tornado that rolled through southern Fulton County over the weekend.

“After these disasters happen, some people will inevitably prey on those most affected,” Koehler said. “I urge all residents in Fulton County to proceed with caution and do their due diligence when accepting help.”

Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity can report it to the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline in Springfield by calling 1-800-243-0618.

Saturday’s tornado moved through the Lewistown area, causing damage to structures and trees. No one was reported as hurt or missing,

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging local area residents to follow these steps to avoid scams:

• Be wary of contractors who go door to door to offer repair services. Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust and, whenever possible, use established local contractors.
• Call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline (1-800-243-0618 in Springfield) to check out a contractor and to learn if any complaints have been filed against a particular business.
• Visit the Better Business Bureau’s central Illinois , St. Louis or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it.
• Even if there is a need to act quickly, shop around. Get written estimates from multiple contractors, and don’t be rushed into a deal.
• Get all of the terms of a contract in writing, and obtain a copy of the signed contract.
• Never make full payment until all the work has been completed to your satisfaction.
• Never pay in cash.
• Be aware that you have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if you signed it based on the contractor’s visit to your home.
• In the case of disaster repair, you have an additional right to cancel. If your insurance carrier denies coverage, you have the right to cancel the contract within five days of when your insurance carrier denies your coverage.
• Ask to see required state and local permits and licenses. Insurance adjusters and roofers must be licensed by state agencies. If the contractor does not have a required license, or if the name on the license doesn’t match the name on the contractor’s business card or truck, that should raise a red flag. Please visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s website to search licenses. Contact the Department of Insurance at (866) 445-5364 to verify that the public adjuster is licensed and in good standing.

PEORIA – One of nation’s largest steel manufacturers has reached a deal to purchase a Peoria steel mill that has served the area since 1889.

The Dallas-based parent company of Keystone Steel and Wire, which is located on the south side of Peoria and employs nearly 1,000 people, announced this week that it will become part of Liberty Steel USA.

“The news today is great for the thousands of employees of Keystone Steel and the entire Peoria area,” State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “We have always been and will continue to be immensely proud of our manufacturing traditions in Peoria as well as the thousands of workers that make it possible.”

Liberty Steel USA is owned by GFG Alliance, a UK-based company which has a presence in more than 30 countries. Its chairman, Sanjeev Gupta, said Keystone is a key piece to the company’s sustained success.

“The Keystone acquisition is a core part of GFG’s GREENSTEEL vision to become a leading U.S. producer of high quality, cleanly produced steel,” Gupta said. “As we look ahead to the future, GFG will benefit from Keystone’s century-long history, its robust operations, and its reputation for producing top quality steel.”

Koehler, who has a long track record of fighting for Keystone Steel and its workers, said he is excited at the Peoria plant’s prospects.

“GFG Alliance has a goal of becoming the nation’s leading steel producer, and a track record of reinvigorating local steel operations,” Koehler said. “The bottom line is this is good news for our area.”

The steel workers at KSW are represented by the Independent Steel Workers Alliance, an independent union based in Bartonville.