SPRINGFIELD – Reading can spur imagination and inspiration in students that will stick with them for life, which is why State Senator Mike Halpin is holding a Summer Book Club for students while they have a few months off from school.

“With phones and iPads in everyone’s hands these days, we need to we instill the values of reading in our young people,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “No matter the subject, no matter the author, no matter the reader, reading is for everyone. I am excited to announce my office is hosting the Summer Book Club again this year and I encourage students in Western Illinois to participate.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Halpin’s Rock Island, Galesburg or Springfield office by Aug. 15. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card from Halpin. Information forms are available at these local, Western Illinois libraries:

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin secured funding to bring jobs and updated infrastructure to the Moline River Drive.

“This new project will bring major improvements to River Drive to enhance the lives of residents,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this money we can fill potholes, bring jobs and make the Moline community safer.”

The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants will fund the Illinois Department of Transportation project along the River Drive between 12^th and 19^th Streets in Moline. The IDOT project will involve a massive streetscape improvement effort. The project will address deteriorating sidewalks and tripping hazards to ease and increase foot traffic. In addition, missing crosswalks and outdated signal will be addressed to make the area more inviting to pedestrians. Finally, to make the River Drive more accessible, several intersections will receive ADA-compliant upgrades.

SPRINGFIELD – With more than 3,000 people reported missing in Illinois, State Senator Mike Halpin is supporting legislation to use every available means of finding and identifying these victims.

“We need to make sure we are using every tool at our disposable to solve these missing person cases, both for the victims and their families,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This legislation sends a clear message to missing people and their friends and family: We are still searching, Illinois has not forgotten you.”

Halpin is cosponsoring legislation to set new requirements for investigations regarding missing person cases. The requirements include collecting and analyzing fingerprints and DNA, reporting missing people to a national database within 60 days, and prohibiting the closure of a case until the person has been confirmed returned or identified, among other requirements.

Western Illinois has had several high profile missing person cases. One of the cases was the tragic disappearance of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby of Moline. Her disappearance sparked a major search effort, but she has been missing for over 28 years, with family and friends still seeking justice. Another of the most high profile person’s cases in the Quad Cities is that of Jerry Wolking Sr., who went missing in 1990 at the age of 52. Missing Wolking Sr.’s case remains one of the longest-running missing person’s cases in the Quad Cities.

“These victims and their families have suffered long enough,” said Halpin. “By pushing forward on this legislation we can bring justice to missing people and their families not just in Western Illinois, but across the state.”

Senate Bill 24 passed the Criminal Law Committee.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mike Halpin attended the Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service Tuesday and met several decorated firefighters from Western Illinois.

“It was an honor to pay tribute to firefighters who sacrifice themselves protecting our communities,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “While we honor their memory, we must also honor and continue to support our front line men and women whose careers as firefighters are dedicated to making us safer. When it comes to fire safety in Western Illinois, we’re in good hands.”

The memorial took place at the firefighter memorial statue in front of the Illinois Capitol. The bronze statue is a depiction of several firefighters in action, saving a child. The statue is surrounded by 2,400 red bricks engraved with the names of contributors.