Halpin secures funding for lead service line replacement

ROCK ISLAND – The Illinois EPA announced $50,000 is coming to Rock Island to help the City identify service lines that may contain lead.

“The well-documented adverse health effects of exposure to lead in drinking water poses a serious risk to our children,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Funding to identify the City’s lead service lines will help keep our families protected.”

Senator Halpin voted for the legislation creating the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in 2021. The Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act establishes timelines and requirements for the removal and replacement of all lead service lines in Illinois and creates a low-income water assistance program to help fund financial assistance and water projects that include lead pipe replacement.

Illinois has more lead service lines than any other state in the nation, with an estimated 730,000 to 1.4 million lead service lines in the ground. There is no safe level of exposure to lead.  

“This funding will provide many communities with the necessary funding to develop a complete inventory identifying the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supplies,” said Illinois EPA Director Kim.

To see a full list of Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants, click here.

Sen. Halpin and Rep. Johnson announce committee assignments

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin will serve as chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and Representative Gregg Johnson will serve on the House Labor and Commerce Committee for the 103rd General Assembly.

“I will work to not only protect higher education funding, but look to make increases where we can,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We need to make sure that the tremendous higher education institutions in Western Illinois and across the state retain and recruit more in-state residents.”

Senator Halpin will also serve on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. To see the full list of Halpin’s committee assignments, click here.

Representative Johnson will serve on the House Labor and Commerce; Mental Health and Addiction; Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility; Transportation: Rail Systems, Roads and Bridges; and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Johnson worked in the Illinois Department of Corrections for 32 years and looks forward to gaining experience during his freshmen term.

“With my law enforcement and labor background, I will bring a unique perspective to legislation going through committee,” said Johnson (D-East Moline). “I look forward to representing the Quad Cities and making sure our voices are heard down in Springfield.”

 Click here to see the 103^rd General Assembly’s Senate spring session schedule and here to see the 103^rd General Assembly’s House spring session schedule.

Senator Halpin attends ribbon cutting at Galesburg Selfie Museum

Senator Halpin joins the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting of the Galesburg Selfie Meseum.

Pictured (back row left to right): Senator Halpin, Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman, State Rep. Swanson

Pictured (front row left to right): GoGo Kupa, Yannick Kapita

Senator Halpin announces more than $10 million coming to Rock Island for transit upgrades

ROCK ISLAND – With the support of State Senator Mike Halpin, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the Rock Island County Metro Mass Transit District (MetroLink) will receive $10.3 million to improve transportation as part of the historic Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“In order to allow the QC to grow, we need to continue to make the necessary infrastructure investments to our area,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I look forward to seeing continued investment to our area in 2023.” 

The third round of Rebuild Illinois grants provides $113.8 million for Downstate transit providers as part of the historic Rebuild Illinois capital program. Awards are supporting projects that include the purchase of new vehicles as well as the construction of stations and maintenance facilities that improve service.

The Rock Island County Metro Mass Transit District will receive $10,350,000 to replace six buses with zero emission buses, expand the operations center and install electric car chargers.

The second round of downstate transit grants went to the Rock Island County Metro Mass Transit District for Centre Station renovations and on-street chargers at Centre Station, District Station, East Pointe and OMC.

“Thanks to Governor Pritzker, our state legislators, and the IDOT team, the most recent Rebuild Illinois grant award will allows us to further develop our battery electric bus fleet through the purchase of six (6) additional battery electric buses. Since 2018, our battery electric bus program has continued to expand, with 30% of our fleet currently consisting of battery electric bus vehicles. These types of investments reinforce our commitment to grow our community through an environmentally conscious and equitable public transportation network,” said Jennifer Hirsch, Manager of Administration at MetroLINK.

To find a full list of projects, visit IDOT’s website.