In an effort to help Illinois communities retain and recruit qualified doctors, the Illinois Senate voted to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. A doctor licensed in one member state of the compact would be able to practice medicine in every member state without taking additional tests or applying for additional licenses.

"This is about streamlining government and improving access to health care service," said the plan's sponsor, State Senator Dave Koehler. "We want talented doctors to be able to practice in Illinois without navigating bureaucratic red tape."

The compact would go into effect once seven states adopt it. If the measure becomes law, Illinois would be in the vanguard of early adopters. Several other states are also considering legislation this year.

State Senator Dave Koehler joined Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis at a Senate committee hearing to support extending a successful economic development program that has benefited the Peoria community.

At issue is the River Edge Historic Tax Credit, which was created in 2012 to help riverfront communities restore historically significant waterfront properties. The program is scheduled to end next year, so river’s edge communities throughout Illinois are trying to convince the General Assembly of its value.

“Illinois’ cities grew up along rivers,” Koehler said. “That means waterfront properties are often historically significant. It also means that they often need a lot of work. This economic development program has helped us create jobs in our local communities, protect landmarks and revitalize waterfront neighborhoods.”

State Senator Dave Koehler visited Lewistown Community High School to meet with the principal and teachers to discuss some of the school's challenges and successes. Koehler's conversations focused on the school district's financial challenges and innovative vocational programs. To learn more, read this Canton Daily Ledger article.

The Lewistown High School's woodshop program, one of the classes Koehler visited, is looking for lumber donations to stretch the school's resources. If you would like to help, you can drop off unwanted lumber at the school.

State Senator Dave Koehler issued the following response to Governor Bruce Rauner's first budget proposal. Rauner's plan provides a slight increase to preschool-12th grade education and prisons, while reducing – in some cases greatly – most other state spending.

"I realize that the governor had a huge task in developing this budget plan, and I am still trying to find something I can support. So many of the cuts he proposes will devastate middle-class and working families, so my concern is where is the shared sacrifice?

"If this proposal became law, we would see higher property taxes, higher tuition costs, fewer education programs that prepare our citizens for careers and college, and the end of programs that literally save people's lives. The one thing I can agree with is that we need to stop reeling from budget crisis to budget crisis year after year. I just don't agree that this is the right path.

"I hope we can work with the governor to craft a budget that makes Illinois competitive without losing all compassion for working and middle-class families."