PEORIA – Students across Illinois are guaranteed a plant-based lunch option at school under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“Students may have dietary needs rooted in in religious, health-related or other, personal reasons,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a nutritious, plant-based option, we can satisfy those requirements and ensure all students are able to take full advantage of what may be the only meal they can depend on that day.”

House Bill 4089 requires school districts to provide a plant-based school lunch option that complies with federal nutritional standards to any student who submits a prior request.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages the use of fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals and urges schools to develop additional methods to offer the fruits and vegetables to students. Offering a plant-based lunch option would be one way of doing so.

Plant-based school lunch options would also act as Halal options for Muslim students provided there are no alcohol or alcohol byproducts, such as vanilla extract or other extracts, used in the preparation of the meal.

“Well-rounded, nutritious meals of all kinds are vital to students’ ability to learn and succeed,” said State Representative Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago), House sponsor of the legislation. “Offering more healthy lunch options in our schools helps our students thrive.”

This legislation goes into effect Aug. 1, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will now have an added incentive to purchase vehicles manufactured in-state thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“We have a highly skilled manufacturing workforce that produces reliable, high-quality vehicles right here in Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a rebate on the purchase of vehicles manufactured in-state, we put money back in the pockets of our consumers and spur our local economies.”

Illinoisans purchasing cars and passenger trucks manufactured in-state will have the opportunity to apply for a $25 rebate on the title under Senate Bill 3609. Consumers would have one year from the month the vehicle was manufactured to apply for the rebate.

“When we encourage the purchase of goods manufactured here in Illinois, we support good-paying jobs across our state and keep our local economies healthy,” said State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), House sponsor of the bill. “I am proud to support our manufacturers through this legislation.”

The legislation will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

PEORIA – Motorcyclists across the state have a new incentive to purchase electric motorcycles and keep Illinois on track toward a cleaner, more sustainable future thanks to a new law by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“Making electric vehicles accessible and affordable for all Illinoisans is a great way to promote sustainability,” said Koehler (D-Peoria), who recently received a “Senator of the Year” award from ABATE Illinois. “By offering the same incentives for electric motorcycles that we do for other types of electric vehicles, we’re improving Illinois’ relationship with greener energy and supporting multiple modes of transportation.”

Senate Bill 2940 expands the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021 to make highway-legal electric motorcycles eligible for a $1,500 electric vehicle rebate. This is an expansion of the rebate in the original legislation that incentivized the purchase of new and used electric vehicles in Illinois but excluded electric motorcycles. ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education), the state’s largest motorcycle advocacy group, played a large role in drafting the legislation.

“As we work to transition to more sustainable options across the board, we have to ensure everyone is included in the conversation,” said State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), House sponsor of the bill. “By offering the same incentive to motorcyclists that we have to Illinoisans who choose other modes of transportation, we are ensuring not only accessibility and affordability, but sustainability for everyone.”

The legislation is effective immediately.

PEORIA – A measure supported by State Senator Dave Koehler to protect businesses, expand resources for prosecutors and promote economic growth by identifying and addressing organized retail crime in Illinois was signed into law Friday.

“Businesses across Illinois have experienced great losses as a result of organized retail crimes,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “These crimes are hurting our businesses and hindering our local economies. Enough is enough.”

The law, previously House Bill 1091, defines organized retail crime in Illinois statute as the theft of retail merchandise with the intent to sell. It also gives prosecutors additional resources to charge crime leaders by expanding opportunities to bring forth charges, including allowing the Illinois attorney general to prosecute via a statewide grand jury.

The measure also establishes the Integrity, Notification and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act, which requires third-party sellers to verify users’ identity with bank account numbers or other personal identifying information.

“By supporting law enforcement and making it easier to hold ringleaders responsible, we can not only ensure these crimes are addressed properly, but we can work to prevent them from occurring to begin with,” said Koehler.

Most provisions in the new law take immediate effect, but the INFORM Act is effective Jan. 1, 2023.