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 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

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.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin was sworn in to serve in the Illinois Senate Wednesday, furthering his commitment to workers, veterans and seniors across Western Illinois.

“Here in Western Illinois, we care about good paying jobs, fiscal responsibility and creating an environment where our seniors can retire in dignity,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I look forward to serving in the Senate down in Springfield, and I thank the residents of the 36th District for choosing me.”