SPRINGFIELD – Legislation inspired by a Peoria-area veteran advanced out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1127, which requires airports in Illinois to fly the POW/MIA flag.

“Honoring our veterans with public displays is crucial for younger generations to understand and remember their sacrifices,” Koehler said. “This legislation is just one small step we can take to show our veterans that we have not forgotten them.”

The idea was brought to Springfield by Peoria-area veteran Gary Hall, who wanted the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport to fly the POW/MIA flag under the American flag. Airport officials said their hands were tied legally and would be unable to fly the flag.

The measure now goes before the whole Senate for a vote.

Sign up is underway for the Spring Yard Clean ups offered to Veterans by the Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing.

March 30 volunteers will be raking yards for a maximum of 2 hours. Volunteers are also needed to help with the raking.

If you are interested in signing up to volunteer or are a Veteran who is in need of your yard raked, call 309-363-3737.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) agrees that more must be done to protect the environment from climate change after Gov. JB Pritzker today signed an executive order relating to the environment.

“If we don’t do anything to reduce our carbon emissions, we are eventually going reach the point of no return,” Koehler said. “Gov. Pritzker is right to continue this fight and I look forward to working with him to expand green energy production and green energy jobs in Illinois.”

Pritzker signed an executive order directing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to monitor dangerous federal changes to environmental regulations to guarantee that Illinois residents remain safe. The executive order also brings Illinois into the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Koehler previously served as the chair of the Senate’s Environment and Conservation Committee before being promoted to Assistant Majority Leader this month.

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.