SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) pledged to continue work on his initiative to demand that excessive profits received by Managed Care Organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic be returned to the state.

“As we begin to move into a post-COVID-19 world, we’re seeing that managed care organizations brought in record-breaking profits while many communities across the state struggled to receive basic care and necessary resources during the pandemic,” Koehler said. “If we are able to reallocate excess profits from these companies, we can help hospitals stay open and keep providing lifesaving care in our low-income and rural communities.”

The legislation was filed in response to decreased health care service use during the period where elective surgeries and procedures were postponed. Decreased use resulted in MCOs paying fewer claims and therefore retaining unprecedented amounts of enrollment-based profit, the scope of which was revealed via a Better Government Association investigation. Those wishing to read more about the results of the investigation can visit the BGA’s website.

Koehler was joined in this initiative by State Representative Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates), who introduced identical legislation in the House.

Koehler intends to request continued hearings on SB 455.

Offering competitive pay and benefits, including affordable, employer-sponsored health care, dental, and vision. Employer-furnished equipment, take-home patrol vehicle, flexible scheduling, and much more.

The job posting and application may be found at: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Springfield-CONSERVATION-POLICE-OFFICER-TRAINEE-0934500-IL-62702/737132600/Image

Applications must be signed and post marked/digitally submitted by May 31, 2021.  If submitting application via email, please scan and submit all pages as one document.

Criteria:  Must be at least 21 years of age upon date of hire, 4-year Bachelor’s Degree (any major), OR Associate’s Degree AND three years of Law Enforcement experience (single agency), OR Military service (Active, Reserve, or National Guard), currently serving or honorably discharged, with one or more of the following medals:  Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal

Hiring Process: Application Submission (CMS 100), Physical Fitness and Swimming, Proficiency Tests, In-person Interview, Psychological Examination, Medical Examination, Background Investigation 

Applicants who are currently employed as a full-time police officer with full law enforcement authority in the State of Illinois may be eligible to participate in a “fast-track” training process that would waive the 14-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  An additional paid, 14-week Conservation Academy must be completed as a condition of employment.   During these training academies, selected applicants will be provided meals and lodging on-site, Monday-Friday.

For further information please visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/LawEnforcement/Pages/ConservationPoliceOfficerCareerOpportunities.aspx or call or email your respective OLE recruiting officer listed on page 2.

CPO Tom Davis (McHenry Co)- Northeast Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (847) 404-3596

CPO Isaac Gerard (Woodford Co.)- Northwest Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (309) 214-0203

CPO Chase Sanford (Vermilion Co.)- Central Zone Recruiting Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (217) 361-9982

CPO Roberto Macias (Clinton Co.)- Southern Zone Recruiting Officer

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone Number: (618) 713-2705

PEORIA – Central Illinois communities will see nearly $40 million in funding for road and bridge projects in 2022 as part of the latest Multi-Year Plan under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Rebuild Illinois initiative, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Friday.

“Our communities stand to benefit greatly from investment of this scale,” Koehler said. “Not only will these projects invigorate our economy and create good-paying jobs, but they will ensure safer commutes for our residents and generally benefit everyone who drives on our roads, crosses our bridges, or walks on our sidewalks.”

The funding comes as an installment of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan which aims to promote economic growth and reliable infrastructure throughout the state. This Multi-Year Plan will invest $20.7 billion in over 2,700 miles of roads and nearly 8 million square feet of bridges across Illinois over the span of the next six years.

The roughly $40 million being dedicated to the 46^th District will fund 19 projects slated to begin next year. The list of projects includes a great deal of work in regards to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act, the repair or reconstruction of several bridges, additional lanes, new sidewalks, and improved intersections throughout the district. Most notably, long awaited repairs will begin on Route 24 and Galena Road.

Significant repairs that will begin in 2022 include:

• $1 million worth of repairs to Route 24
• 14 miles of repairs to I-474 worth $24 million
• Upgrades to the US 150 bridge over the Illinois River worth more than $3 million
• Upgrades worth $2 million on the IL 8 / IL 116 bridge in East Peoria

Those interested can find a comprehensive list of projects slated for the 46^th District on IDOT’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for grants through the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (STEF) and Local Government Snowmobile (SNOW) grant programs now through June 1, 2021.

The Illinois STEF and SNOW grant programs are offered annually through the IDNR.

The primary purpose of the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program is to provide financial aid to eligible private, not-for-profit snowmobile clubs for the purpose of assisting such organizations to construct, maintain and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, designated roadways, or private land opened to such use in the state. The STEF grant program provides financial assistance to eligible local snowmobile clubs and organizations to help them construct, maintain, and rehabilitate snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands and designated road right-of-ways or on private lands open to public snowmobile use. The following types of projects are among those eligible for STEF funding: trail clearing, signs and fencing, lease of equipment necessary for facility construction, and warming shelters/restrooms.

The primary purpose of the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program is to provide financial aid to government agencies to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land and/or equipment for snowmobile trails, trail maintenance, and trail side facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois for snowmobile use.

The STEF program is a state-financed program enacted by Sections 9-1 and 9-2 of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 40/9-1 and 9-2]. Funds for the program are derived from snowmobile registration fees and for that reason require the use and oversight of a public entity’s procurement guidelines to ensure the proper stewardship of the funds.

The SNOW program is a state-financed program. Funding for the grant program is derived from revenue generated by snowmobile registration fees, fines, and bond forfeitures pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 40/9.1].

Applications must be submitted to the IDNR by 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2021. The Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Pages/default.aspx

Consult the IDNR website at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Grants/Pages/SnowmobileTrailEstablishmentFund.aspx for more information, or call the IDNR Grants main line at 217-782-7481.