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.

SPRINGFIELD – Third-party vehicle warranties are often opaque, contain exclusions, deductibles and difficult claim processes that may not be apparent to the average consumer. State Senator Mike Halpin is leading the effort to protect consumers from these predatory third-party vehicle warranties.

“This legislation will ensure folks know what they’re buying when they purchase one of these third-party warranties for their vehicle,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Too often these warranties use fine print, vague terminology and hidden fees to take money from people without providing meaningful coverage.”

House Bill 2338 would provide, at the customer’s request, a copy of the vehicle warranty contract and a written disclosure prepared by the third-party provider summarizing all costs the consumer may incur under the warranty. These provisions would provide transparency regarding the warranty before a customer purchases it, giving the consumer more choice and a better state of mind down the road.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin has secured over $3.5 million dollars to revitalize 15^th Avenue in East Moline and a reconstruction of Main Street in Monmouth.

“These projects are an exciting development for East Moline and Monmouth, we have a chance to preserve our local culture while dressing up our towns for the future,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This grant money will go to good use making our towns hubs of commercial activity and pleasant downtowns for folks in the community.”

The grant includes $2 million for East Moline. Improvements will support economic growth by transforming 15th Avenue – the city’s “Main Street” – into an accessible, connected corridor that prioritizes space for pedestrians, shops and restaurants. In addition, Monmouth will receive $1.5 million. The Monmouth project includes the reconstruction and streetscaping of Main Street from 2nd Ave. to 1st Avenue and from Archer Avenue to Boston Avenue, with the previously reconstructed Public Square between the two sections of the project. These renovations will spruce up and revive the downtown area.