PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced Friday that $855,000 for renovations and improvements were secured for the Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria.

“Investments in our parks help improve the well-being of our community,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Improving our local green spaces allows children and families to enjoy the outdoors, and provides more recreational opportunities for residents.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 park districts across the state through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This is the largest amount of funding since the program began 36 years ago.

The Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria will receive $855,000 from these grants. The funding allows the park district to renovate spaces, expand sidewalks, develop new facilities and more.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

PEORIA – Alongside a number of local officials at a press conference Monday, State Senator Dave Koehler outlined his measure that will bring awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois through the creation of a task force.

“This bill continues Illinois’ path as a beacon of hope for women and people of color,” said Koehler (D – Peoria) “The more we understand the significance the Underground Railroad had throughout the state, the more opportunities our children are able to learn of its importance, and the consequences slavery had throughout our nation.”

Senate Bill 1623 would establish the Underground Railroad Task Force. The group would develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

The press conference was in the same cemetery where Moses Pettingill is buried in in Peoria. Pettingill was a significant figure in the Illinois Underground Railroad, helping countless slaves cross the Illinois River in search of freedom. He is credited as founder of Peoria’s Underground Railroad.

Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman – who spearheaded the measure – was among those who spoke.

“Currently, there are many regional landmarks of the Underground Railroad throughout the state, but there is really no way of connecting them together," said Ackerman. “This task force give us the ability to tie all of these regional pockets together to tell the story of just how long the path the Underground Rail Road was in Illinois, and the lengths that abolitionists and slaves took in search of freedom.”

This bipartisan effort will focus on identifying where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will illustrate the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1623 passed the Senate State Government Committee last week. It now awaits a hearing before the full Senate.

BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler is inviting the community to join him at an Open House at his new Bloomington-Normal office Friday March 3 from 10-11 a.m.

“I am excited be working in the Bloomington-Normal area,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Bloomington-Normal has a lot of new and exciting opportunities for residents of our community. This office provides me the opportunity to meet with you and offer aid and assistance with the operations of the state.”

The public is welcome to stop by and chat with the Senator and tour the office. The office marks the beginning of his representation of the greater Bloomington-Normal area.

The new office is located at 216 N Center St. in Bloomington, right across the street from the McLean County Museum of History.

Senator Koehler’s offices are run by his chief of staff, Jennifer Allison, who is based in his Peoria-area office. In the new Bloomington office, Joshua Crockett will be working as Koehler’s director of constituent outreach. In Springfield, Aaron Tebrinke is working as Koehler’s legislative assistant. People can contact any of these offices to see if they can be of assistance.

The Bloomington-Normal Office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Appointments are not required, but are encouraged as the district office staff is often out at events. Appointments can be made by calling Koehler’s Bloomington office at 309-808-2345.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is leading a measure to bring awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois through the creation of a task force.

“This task force will highlight the rich history the Underground Railroad has in Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The Underground Railroad is a symbol of determination in search of freedom and justice for African Americans throughout the 1800s.”

Senate Bill 1623 would establish the Underground Railroad Task Force. The group would develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

This bill was initiated by Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman. This bipartisan effort will focus on identifying where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will illustrate the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

“This task force will provide new opportunities to teach our children how slavery impacted our state, and how leaders throughout Illinois took charge to help slaves find freedom,” said Koehler. “These opportunities give our schools the ability to teach students the severity and consequences slavery had on our state and nation.”

Senate Bill 1623 passed the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday. It now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.