SPRINGFIELD – Years of less-than-adequate state funding have taken their toll on Wildlife Prairie State Park. The 2,000 acre park, which allows the people of Illinois to see the state's indigenous wildlife in a natural setting, has survived the state's budget cuts largely due to the efforts of Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the park's mission of promoting conservation, education and recreation. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) has passed legislation that will permanently transfer ownership of the park to the Friends board.

"We need to keep Wildlife Prairie Park open," Koehler said. "The state just doesn't have the resources to do it anymore, but Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park can and will."

Despite Koehler's best efforts to get funding for the park reinstated, the state was unable to provide significant financial resources to the park for the past three years.

Though the state is transferring ownership of the park to the Friends group, the legal agreement requires the group to keep the park open to the public and to maintain its current mission.

Koehler's measure now goes to the governor, who has already expressed his support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced his support for the Illinois Department of Transportation's plan to spend more than $60 million on road construction projects in the Peoria area, but said the state needs to do more.

"These projects are important, but Illinois needs another comprehensive capital construction plan," Koehler said. "Our roads, bridges and infrastructure are the backbone of our economy. If we want to invest in business, we need to invest in transportation."

Earlier today, IDOT announced its six-year road construction plan, which includes more than $60 million for projects in Peoria, Tazewell and Fulton counties. However, Koehler believes the state needs to make further investments in Illinois' infrastructure.

The last time Illinois passed a comprehensive capital construction plan was in 2009. Sometimes referred to as "Illinois Jobs Now!," the program invested $31 billion in the state's roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other public buildings. The construction plan was desperately needed – it was the first in 10 years – and many of the projects announced by IDOT are actually funded by the 2009 law.

"We can't go 10 years between infrastructure upgrades," Koehler said. "Businesses and families need high-quality infrastructure to be competitive. We can't afford to let Illinois fall behind."

Sponsors plan to end state ownership

SPRINGFIELD – Years of less-than-adequate state funding have taken their toll on Wildlife Prairie State Park. The 2,000 acre park, which allows the people of Illinois to see the state's indigenous wildlife in a natural setting, has survived the state's budget cuts largely due to the efforts of Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the park's mission of promoting conservation, education and recreation. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is sponsoring legislation that will permanently transfer ownership of the park to the Friends board.

"We can't allow Wildlife Prairie State Park to fall prey to Illinois' budget woes," Koehler said. "Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park will keep this important Peoria-area landmark open for our friends and children to enjoy for years to come."

Despite Koehler's best efforts to get funding for the park reinstated, the state has been unable to provide significant financial resources to the park for the past three years, a situation unlikely to change in the near future.

Though the state is transferring ownership of the park to the Friends group, the legal agreement requires the group to keep the park open to the public and to maintain its current mission.

Koehler's measure has passed the Illinois House and the Senate Agriculture Committee. It is poised to pass the Senate and is supported by the governor. Koehler sponsored a similar plan last year, but it stalled in the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) believes that the people of Illinois have a right to know what they're eating. That's why he's proposed a new law that will require companies to notify consumers when their products contain genetically engineered organisms.

"The food we eat has a profound impact on our health," said Koehler, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "People deserve to know what they're eating."

Over the past several decades, biological science and our understanding of genetics has increased in leaps and bounds, empowering scientists to change the DNA of plants and animals. They've used this technology in a variety of ways to help farmers produce more food more easily and cheaply. For example, one of the most common genetic modifications makes crops like corn and soybeans more pest resistant.

However, some people are concerned that genetically engineered food might have an adverse effect on their health. Others are concerned about the effect on the environment.

"This legislation isn't about saying genetically engineered foods are good or bad," Koehler said. "It's just about labeling. We already require food labels to disclose when a product contains dairy or nuts, for example. To me, disclosing genetic engineering is exactly the same."

Koehler intends to put his legislation in a subcommittee and hold further hearings later this year.

"I realize that labeling genetically engineering food is a controversial issue with passionate advocates who make good arguments on both sides," Koehler added. "We need to give them an opportunity to debate the idea in a public forum, so we can all be better informed."