SPRINGFIELD – Building on recent successes in funding Western Illinois infrastructure, State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure landmark transit upgrades for the region.

“This investment will go to necessary upkeep and expansion of our public transit system in Western Illinois,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this money, we have the opportunity to expand ridership, improve safety and bring economic opportunity to the entire region.”

Most notably, the transit package includes funding for Chicago – Quad Cities passenger rail. This level of funding significantly advances the more than two-decade push to reestablish a passenger rail connection between Chicago and the Quad Cities. The legislation also addresses the downstate mass transit “fiscal cliff,” allocating nearly $160 million to downstate transit districts, including Metrolink, Warren County Transportation, City of Galesburg Transit, and Go West Transit in Macomb.

ROCK ISLAND – With one in five of his constituents in Western Illinois receiving SNAP benefits, State Senator Mike Halpin is warning people of the dire and immediate impact of the potential halt of SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1

“A significant portion of residents in Western Illinois could lose key food assistance support due to the federal government shutdown,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The federal administration could be funding SNAP benefits for November onward, but are actively choosing not to. The money is there. I condemn this inaction and call on those able in the Western Illinois community to donate to their local food bank and check on their neighbors.”

SNAP provides critical support for children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, offering the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. The federal government shutdown threatens to halt these benefits immediately, putting millions at risk of food insecurity – including 42,168 people in the 36^th Senate District. Food banks like River Bend food bank are expecting a large impact.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to ensure defendants in a home repair or remodeling contract dispute receive attorney’s fees passed committee today.

“If homeowners have a genuine dispute and receive a favorable ruling, they should receive full coverage of attorney’s fees,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This will make sure a resident will have one less cost barrier to enforce their rights against a contractor.”

State law already requires consumer contracts in cases under $10,000 to pay out attorney’s fees to a consumer if the consumer prevails in their action. This initiative would ensure that if a home repair and remodeling contract allows attorney’s fees then the contract will permit the award of attorney’s fees to all parties in the contract.

SPRINGFIELD – More than 84,000 Iowans live with severe mental illness and only about 35,000 of those are receiving treatment. State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to allow vulnerable mental health patients from Iowa to use Rock Island mental care facilities passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis that crosses state lines,” said Halpin. “Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority.”

Senate Bill 188 would allow in-patients from Iowa who are placed involuntarily into the mental health system to be admitted to a mental health institution in Rock Island County.  The goal of this measure is to prevent Iowan involuntary patients from being placed in facilities hours from their hometowns.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 60% of Iowa communities experience a shortage of mental health care. In addition, Iowa ranks last in the nation in staffed psychiatric hospital beds according to the Treatment Advocacy Center.