"My number one goal has always been to pass a balanced budget to better the future for all Illinoisans." -State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement after the governor's budget address:

"The Governor's remarks today were notably more upbeat, but still filled with his usual themes. The difference is that now the Senate has the bipartisan 'Grand Bargain Package' which President Cullerton, Leader Radogno and the rest of the Illinois Senate have been working on to end the budget impasse."

"I hope that everyone understands that I am not at all happy with everything in this deal. However, my number one goal has always been to pass a balanced budget to better the future for all Illinoisans. I have been listening to everyone’s calls, letters and emails and continue to urge everyone to make their voices heard. Please understand we need a budget."

SPRINGFIELD — Schools will need to take steps to have clear plans ready in the event a student suffers a severe asthma attack under a new law sponsored by State Sen. Dave Koehler.

“It’s our job to always be seeking ways to make our schools and our students safer,” said Koehler, D-Peoria. “Just like regular fire drills and staff training in emergency defibrillators, having these plans in place means our faculty won’t be caught flat-footed during a health crisis.”

Signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner earlier today, the legislation requires schools to request an asthma action plan each year from parents or guardians of a pupil with asthma. The Illinois State Board of Education will also be required to develop an emergency response protocol model for asthma episodes by Sept. 1. School districts will need to adopt their response protocols by Jan. 1. School personnel who work with pupils will need to complete a training program on asthma every two years.

The legislation was House Bill 6333.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Senate passed Sen. Andy Manar’s proposal to overhaul the state’s outdated education funding formula. Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) supported the measure that would change the way school districts receive state funding based on need rather than geography.

“Senator Andy Manar’s education funding reform gives every student in Illinois a chance for success regardless of their ZIP code or socioeconomic background. The current formula, created more than 20 years ago, no longer fits the issues many of our communities are currently facing, especially in many urban and rural areas.

“I voted in favor of Senate Bill 231 so that we can continue to find real solutions that provide relief and give stability to our most underserved communities. The overhaul of classroom funding would start us on the right path of education funding stability, which many of our school districts need.”

Senate Bill 231 now goes to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Senate passed an emergency funding bill to keep public universities open and help MAP grant recipients attend classes.

“Students should be able to attend college without worrying about piling up excessive amounts of debt,” said Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “Funding MAP grants and helping our public universities remain open will allow thousands of students to learn and grow in a stable environment.”

Senate Bill 2059 will provide $600 million in funding for public universities, community colleges, city colleges and MAP grant recipients.

The Illinois Senate also passed Senate Bill 2047, which provides emergency funding for human services.

“Today, my colleagues and I passed emergency funding in the Senate to give human service providers a necessary relief while we work to end the budget impasse,” said Koehler.

Senate Bills 2059 and 2047 passed the Senate 55-0. Senate Bill 2047 now goes to the House for further consideration.