SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“Although aspects of the budget we passed tonight leave me disappointed, and we’ll need to do more work next year, no budget is perfect. What we passed tonight strikes a balance that will benefit the people of Western Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced a measure through the Illinois Senate to create specialty Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates.  

“This is a way for us to thank Air Force veterans for their service to our country,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I was proud to see this measure pass with bipartisan support.”

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.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin announced that three businesses in the QC area have been awarded grants through the Made in Illinois Grant Program.

“It’s good to see the state investing in the businesses that are making products right here at home,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We need more Illinois-made products so we don't have to rely on overseas manufacturers.”

The program, which provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding, is dedicated to fostering innovation and strategic advancements within the Illinois manufacturing sector. Forty recipients across the state were awarded a combined total of $1.7 million.

Moline Welding, Tri-City Heat Treat Company and Whitey’s Ice Cream were each awarded $47,420 in funding.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced a measure that would require 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:

“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.

House Bill 4711 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.