PEORIA – State agencies and local government entities will be allowed to use Blockchain technologies to provide certain services under legislation being considered at the Illinois General Assembly.

Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is co-sponsoring House Bill 3575 because he believes it could revolutionize the way government services are provided.

“It seems like every month we hear about data breaches that have compromised the personal information of hundreds of thousands of consumers,” Koehler said. “By employing this technology at the local and state level we could protect private data as well as connect state agencies and local governments better than ever.”

Blockchain is an emerging technology that uses sequences of blocks or groups of transactions that are chained together. The chains serve as a record of the transactions that validates the authenticity and integrity of the data.

Under the provisions of HB 3575, state and local governments would be permitted to use Blockchain for smart contracts, storing vital records, evidence in court proceedings and satisfaction of legal written requirements and signature requirements.

Potential uses for the technology at the government level include land title registration, supply chain auditing, file storage, data management, anti-money laundering, identity managements and neighborhood micro-grids.

The measure recently passed out of the Senate Telecommunications Committee and now waits for a full vote in the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate voted today to ask the voters if the state should change the way it taxes income.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) joined his colleagues in supporting Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1, which would allow the state to implement a fair tax system.

“A minimum wage worker in the Peoria area shouldn’t pay the same tax rate as a millionaire,” Koehler said. “By adopting this amendment, we can make the needed changes to keep our budget balanced and invest in needed improvements to our infrastructure, schools and colleges.”

Under the current Illinois Constitution adopted in 1970, income can only be taxed at a flat rate, meaning a person making $25,000 a year pays the same tax rate as a person making $1 million. Of the 41 states with income taxes, only 9 have a flat tax. The rest tax income at a graduated rate, meaning higher income earners pay higher rates.

“Under the proposed rates of Senate Bill 687, 99.2% of my district will get a tax break or pay the same,” Koehler added.

SJRCA 1 passed the Senate and now goes onto the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation intended to protect the credit card and bank account numbers of government entities was passed by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) today.

“This is one of those pieces of legislation that is hard to believe needed to happen,” Koehler said. “We must take every precaution to protect these credit cards from getting misused or worse, stolen.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 1712, would exempt credit card numbers, debit card numbers, bank account numbers, Federal Employer Identification Number, security code numbers, passwords, and similar account information from Freedom of Information Act Requests if it is believed the disclosure could result in identity theft or the defrauding of a government entity.

SB 1712 passed the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – Local government entities and other organizations in Central Illinois will have the chance to share their thoughts this April on a potential infrastructure plan for the state at a hearing for the Transportation Subcommittee on Capital.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) pushed for Peoria to be included in a statewide tour of hearings to highlight local infrastructure needs.

“I’m glad that the Peoria area will get the chance to show what projects are needed and how they can have a positive effect on jobs and the economy,” Koehler said. “I invite any local groups that wish to express interest in testifying or submitting written testimony to reach out to my office.”

Anyone wishing to express interest in testifying or submit testimony is encouraged to email the senator’s office with their name and organization at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The hearing will take place on April 8th at the Peplow Pavilion in the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center located on the campus of Bradley University.