SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a balanced budget with bipartisan support today.

The bipartisan budget, which was worked on by lawmakers from Chicago to downstate, includes $350 million for the new school funding formula, a 2 percent increase in funding for community colleges and nearly $600 million in cuts and savings.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said the budget is a testament to what happens when rank-and-file legislators are able to work together to find common ground.

“When we tried to pass the ‘Grand Bargain’ last year, we were stopped at every step by the governor,” Koehler said. “This budget represents an opportunity for the governor to finally do the right thing, I think he should sign it the day it reaches his desk.”

The budget now goes to the House of Representatives for approval.

“Any opportunity to grow jobs in downstate Illinois should be looked at,” Koehler said. “By allowing the private sector to come in and create jobs, we are helping the community.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed legislation today allowing Peoria County to redevelop the site of the former Hanna City Work Camp for private use.

The property was obtained by the county in 2008 under the condition that is would remain available for public use or be returned to the state. House Bill 4319 would allow Peoria County to sell the land for private development.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) sponsored the legislation alongside State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) and State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) to spur economic growth in rural Peoria County.

“Any opportunity to grow jobs in downstate Illinois should be looked at,” Koehler said. “By allowing the private sector to come in and create jobs, we are helping the community.”

The state will receive 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale under HB 4319. The measure now goes to the governor.

“To be frank, I was shocked to learn that this isn’t already the law,” Koehler said. “Gold Star families shouldn’t be tied down to leases when going through the loss of a loved one.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would give families of armed service members killed in action or on duty the power to terminate their fallen loved ones’ lease obligations passed the Illinois Senate today.

Current law allows service members to terminate a lease if they receive orders for a change in duty station or deployment longer than 90 days. House Bill 4317 would extend the right to terminate to the dependents of fallen service members.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is sponsoring the measure after a constituent in his district brought the matter to Springfield.

“To be frank, I was shocked to learn that this isn’t already the law,” Koehler said. “Gold Star families shouldn’t be tied down to leases when going through the loss of a loved one.”

HB 4317 now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.

“Bringing transparency to fracking operations can help allay those concerns and bring peace of mind to those nearby property owners.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that brings transparency to the fracking process passed the Illinois Senate last week.

Senate Bill 3174, sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to post drilling reports from fracking sites within 30 days of receiving them. The legislation also requires the operators of the wells to provide a list of chemicals being used in drilling and the GPS coordinates of their wells.

Koehler said the bill is about letting landowners know what’s going on in their backyard.

“As we have seen in Oklahoma, fracking can cause serious problems and bring about environmental concerns for adjacent property owners,” Koehler said. “Bringing transparency to fracking operations can help allay those concerns and bring peace of mind to those nearby property owners.”

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives.