“The thoughts and prayers of my family, the Illinois Senate and a grateful nation are with the family of SOC Owens and all Gold Star families whose loved ones have given their last full measure of devotion to their country.” -State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler extends his condolences to the family and friends of Peoria native William “Ryan” Owens, a U.S. Navy SEAL and chief special warfare operator, who was killed during a raid in Yemen on Saturday.

“I wish to express my heartfelt sorrow at the death of Ryan Owens,” Koehler said. “The thoughts and prayers of my family, the Illinois Senate and a grateful nation are with the family of SOC Owens and all Gold Star families whose loved ones have given their last full measure of devotion to their country.”

Owens died of wounds suffered in a raid against Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. Owens was a decorated member of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, having earned two Bronze Stars with a combat “V” device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and two Joint Service Commendation medals with a combat “V” device.

"My number one goal has always been to pass a balanced budget to better the future for all Illinoisans." -State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria)

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement after the governor's budget address:

"The Governor's remarks today were notably more upbeat, but still filled with his usual themes. The difference is that now the Senate has the bipartisan 'Grand Bargain Package' which President Cullerton, Leader Radogno and the rest of the Illinois Senate have been working on to end the budget impasse."

"I hope that everyone understands that I am not at all happy with everything in this deal. However, my number one goal has always been to pass a balanced budget to better the future for all Illinoisans. I have been listening to everyone’s calls, letters and emails and continue to urge everyone to make their voices heard. Please understand we need a budget."

SPRINGFIELD — Schools will need to take steps to have clear plans ready in the event a student suffers a severe asthma attack under a new law sponsored by State Sen. Dave Koehler.

“It’s our job to always be seeking ways to make our schools and our students safer,” said Koehler, D-Peoria. “Just like regular fire drills and staff training in emergency defibrillators, having these plans in place means our faculty won’t be caught flat-footed during a health crisis.”

Signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner earlier today, the legislation requires schools to request an asthma action plan each year from parents or guardians of a pupil with asthma. The Illinois State Board of Education will also be required to develop an emergency response protocol model for asthma episodes by Sept. 1. School districts will need to adopt their response protocols by Jan. 1. School personnel who work with pupils will need to complete a training program on asthma every two years.

The legislation was House Bill 6333.

SPRINGFIELD — Amid growing uncertainty about the future of education funding in Illinois, a groups of Farmington students recently traveled to the Capitol to lend their voice to the effort to overhaul how the state funds public schools.

“We are Illinois’ future. You should give us all a fair chance,” said Michael Morrison, 14, who will be a freshman at Farmington High School in the fall.

Morrison was among the students, teachers and administrators who observed proceedings and met with their local lawmakers during the last scheduled day of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session. Lawmakers later adjourned without sending a final education budget to the governor.