“We should take steps to reduce regulations without compromising consumer safety.” - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

PEORIA – A redundant food handling certificate is no longer required thanks to House Bill 3684, which was signed into law last week by the governor.

Previously, the Illinois Department of Public Health required workers to complete an approved training program and pass an exam provided by an accredited exam provider.

Upon completion of the exam, workers would receive a certificate from the accredited provider. An electronic copy of that certificate and a $35 fee were then sent to the state for an Illinois specific certificate.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) sponsored HB 3684, which eliminates both the redundant state certificate and the fee.

“This certificate was simply a well intentioned safety precaution that created an unnecessary burden on small business owners and workers,” Koehler said. “We should take steps to reduce regulations without compromising consumer safety.”

The measure unanimously passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly.

PEORIA – Legislation extending a tax credit for historic river communities was signed into law today. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) was a chief co-sponsor of the legislation and issued the following statement:

“This tax credit is an example of what happens when lawmakers put aside their differences to do what is best for their communities and the entire state. In this era of hyper-partisan tension, it is reassuring to see overwhelming bipartisan support for a measure that spurs economic growth in places like Peoria’s Warehouse District.”  

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate voted to override the governor’s veto a new school funding formula today. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) voted to override the governor’s veto and issued the following statement:

“The governor’s veto could have cost our local schools millions of dollars in state aid and destroyed years of progress. It is time for Illinois to adopt a new school funding formula that fairly funds schools all across the state. Senate bill 1 is the best possible solution to fixing the formula and I believe it should be the law of Illinois.”

PEORIA – Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed landmark legislation that would rewrite Illinois’ unfair school funding formula. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement:

“I am profoundly disappointed that the governor has vetoed this new formula that would guarantee all schools are fairly funded. Despite the governor’s veto, I believe that negotiations should continue in order to fix the formula. Should those talks fail, I support overriding the governor’s veto.”