Halpin encourages fire departments to apply for Small Equipment Grant Program

• First Responders
• Grant Program

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin is encouraging fire departments to apply for the Small Equipment Grant program to help them be better equipped to protect their communities.

“When someone is in need of first responders, they should not have to worry about them not being prepared with the right equipment,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This grant program will support our first responders with the proper tools to better serve our neighbors.”

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Halpin raises awareness about Scott’s Law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure enhancing driver education to keep first responders and emergency crews safe on the road was signed into law.

“Scott’s Law is an important public safety rule,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We must do everything we can to educate drivers about it. When driver’s license applicants get that question wrong, it’s imperative that they are specifically made aware of the law so we can reduce the number of unnecessary deaths in the line of duty.”

Scott’s Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights, and any stationary vehicle with their hazard lights activated. Halpin’s new law requires the Secretary of State to provide specific information about Scott’s Law to any person who incorrectly answers the question about Scott’s Law on the driver’s license written exam.

House Bill 4711 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1.

Specialty Air Force license plates for combat vets becomes law, thanks to Halpin

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to create specialty Air Force license plates was signed into law on Friday.

“We’re bringing parity to Air Force veterans, as these specialty plates exist for everyone else,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This is a small way to show our gratitude for those who protect our country.”

Currently, the Air Force is the only branch of the military that does not have a license plate for combat veterans. The Illinois Secretary of State is authorized to issue Combat Action Ribbon license plates to members of the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, and Combat Action Badge license plates to special groups within the Army.

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Halpin, Johnson add QC towns to economic redevelopment zone

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Representative Gregg Johnson announced East Moline, Rock Island and Moline are being designated to a special economic zone that will allow them to apply for redevelopment funding.

“This is another way to spur economic investment on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “A strong local economy doesn’t just rely on new developments, it requires us to redevelop older properties that already exist by transforming them into a benefit for the community.”

The move will add East Moline, Moline and Rock Island to the list of river towns included in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program, enabling developers of local projects to take advantage of additional incentives including sales tax exemptions, income tax deductions, a new construction jobs tax credit and the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit. The program is designed to invite economic development through the redevelopment of older properties in river towns. 

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