PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced more than $50 million in funding for road and bridge improvement projects across the 46^th District.

“Communities across Central Illinois could not deserve this investment more,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By replacing aging infrastructure and repairing our roads and bridges, we keep our communities connected and help our local economies thrive.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, local communities will see 10 infrastructure projects totaling more than $50 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• $18,400,000 for repairs and replacements on the Bob Michel Bridge
• $2,420,000 for intersection improvement on Camp Street at Riverside Drive.
• $2,000,000 for bridge reconstruction on IL-8/IL-116 at the Cedar Street exit

The multi-year plan has allocated $34.6 billion in construction projects across Illinois over the next six fiscal years.

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

“These are roads and bridges we take every day to get to work, go to school, and visit the people we love,” Koehler said. “Not only will this investment make our roadways safer and our community more accessible, but it will create good-paying jobs for years to come.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 46^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

PEORIA – The City of Peoria Public Works is slated to receive a $3 million investment through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program thanks to advocacy by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“By investing in our local infrastructure and making necessary replacements and repairs, we can create jobs, promote business growth, and bring more opportunities to our community,” said Koehler (D-Peoria).

The newest round of funding administered by the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity awards more than $100 million to 50 commercial corridors and main streets across the state. In addition to the $106 million provided in state funding, projects offered an additional $109 million in matching grant funds, for a total investment of $215 million.

The grants support projects that will revitalize commercial hubs, beautify and modernize downtowns, address critical infrastructure needs, boost jobs and improve the quality of life for residents. The $3 million grant awarded to the City of Peoria Public Works will be used for a corridor project on Wisconsin Avenue.

This funding is the latest installment of the Rebuild Illinois program, a historic $45 billion investment in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure and state facilities.

“So many communities across Central Illinois have seen investment that is well-deserved and long-overdue, thanks to Rebuild Illinois,” Koehler said. “This is yet another opportunity for our community to grow and thrive, and I’m looking forward to seeing this project begin.”

A full list of grant recipients is available online at Illinois.gov.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced Tuesday that older adults in Peoria will soon benefit from the newly-launched Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which will expand options for community-based care and allow eligible seniors to continue living safely at home.

“PACE will create for Illinois seniors a holistic and locally-based option that provides quality, integrated care,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The option to continue living safely in the community will greatly enhance the quality of life for Illinois seniors who enroll in the program.”

The PACE program expands options for seniors in Illinois who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare when it comes to choosing the care they receive. It creates flexibility for older adults and their families, caregivers and health care providers to meet each individual’s health care needs while they continue to live in their homes and communities. Services include holistic care planning and coordination, long term services and supports, therapies, medications, mental health care and hospital care, if necessary.

In order to qualify for PACE, a senior must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 55 years old
• Live in one of the PACE service areas
• Qualify for nursing home care while still able to live safely in the community

OSF Healthcare System in Peoria is one of eight organizations across Illinois chosen by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to offer PACE to local seniors, along with health care facilities in West Chicago, South Chicago, Southern Cook County and East St. Louis.

“PACE creates a new set of supports to assist in what most families want – for their loved one to continue living safely at home for as long as possible,” Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson said. “PACE programs will be community-based and specialized in their geographic areas and take responsibility for holistic health care for seniors who choose to enroll. We are proud to be working to offer another incredible choice for care in our array of HealthChoice Illinois options and think this will mean a better quality of life for seniors and their families.”

Seniors in the five selected communities are anticipated to have access to PACE in the 2024 fiscal year, joining 31 other states currently offering PACE services. Nationwide, an estimated 60,000 older adults benefit from PACE access. More information about PACE is available on HFS’s website.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced $100 million in grants available to public school districts and non-profit operators of early childhood centers, and urges local qualifying organizations to apply.

“We can set kids on the right path by investing in our early education programs,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Those first few years can be incredibly impactful, and we want to make sure we’re giving kids every possible opportunity to succeed.”

The funding comes through the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Illinois State Board of Education, and grants will be released in two rounds. The first round of $60 million will be awarded in fall of 2022 and the remaining $40 million will be awarded at a later date.

In order to be eligible to receive a grant, recipients are required to match between 3% and 10% of the funds, as determined by the ISBE Tier level for the local elementary school district. Grants may be used for projects such as adding on to existing facilities, constructing new buildings, or carrying out safety improvements or renovations in classrooms.

“There are so many great programs here in our community that I know could really benefit from this investment,” Koehler said. “I hope they’ll take advantage of this opportunity.”

Applications are due by Oct. 10, 2022. Interested organizations can find more information and apply online.