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.

SPRINGFIELD – Working alongside the hospitality and retail industries, State Senator Mike Halpin outlined his measure at a press conference Thursday to create a more targeted approach to combatting human trafficking.

“We must empower our local governments and law enforcement to keep tabs on businesses to make sure every instance of human trafficking is accounted for and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Halpin. “By allowing localities to monitor hotels, restaurants and truck stop training, we can create a more targeted approach to combatting these terrible crimes.”

While current law requires human trafficking recognition training at hotels, restaurants and truck stops, Halpin’s measure would give municipalities the legal authority to act if a business is not complying the training laws. In addition, the new law would allow local governments to issue fines of up to $1,500 per offense.

“The only acceptable amount of human trafficking is absolutely zero. As legislators, we have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community from human trafficking,” said Representative Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline). “This legislation expands protections to prevent people from becoming victims of sexual and economic exploitation.”

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin secured more than $27,000 in grants to provide resources for 15 public school libraries in Western Illinois.

“It is vital we continue to ensure our school libraries have the tools and staff they need to uplift Illinois students,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Our children’s educations warrant access to the very best resources, reading materials and technology we have available. This money will bolster Western Illinois schools and help nurture bright young minds.”

More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

The following school districts in the 36th District received a total of $27,792:

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin has secured $374,000 to expand Rock Island County’s job training program.

“This program gives folks a shot at hands on experience with the financial support and guidance to get their foot in the door of a respectable career,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “If we want to rebuild our Western Illinois economy, we need the work force to do it. With plenty of bright young people looking for work, the trades offer a chance to support themselves, their families and their communities.”

The goal of the program is to create a qualified talent pipeline in the construction and building trades. Participants of the program attend tuition-free and receive a stipend and other support services to help enter the construction industry. Upon completion of the program, pre-apprentices receive industry-aligned certifications, which prepare and qualify them to continue to a registered apprenticeship program in one of the trades.