Dear neighbor,

Moving forward with our commitment to making Illinois the best place to live, work and raise a family, the General Assembly recently passed our sixth consecutive balanced budget. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget prioritizes key areas including education, public safety, economic development and more.

I supported this compassionate budget that invests in our youth, offers assistance to hardworking families, uplifts underserved communities and reflects the needs of the 36th District. Read my full statement here.

Now that my fellow lawmakers and I have returned home for the summer, I want to highlight some of the important funding in the budget this year, as well as the kick off of our 2024 Summer Book Club program.  

Please reach out to my Rock Island office at (309) 558-3612, Galesburg office at (309) 297-4483 or online at SenatorHalpin.com if you have any questions or need assistance.

Sincerely,

Mike Halpin
State Senator | 36th District

SPRINGFIELD – To help protect consumers from utility scams, State Senator Mike Halpin spearheaded a resolution in the Senate declaring Nov. 20, 2024 as Utility Scam Awareness Day.

“Scammers are smart and ever-evolving with their tactics to trick customers into sharing personal or financial information,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This leaves residents unaware and unable to decipher if a phone call, text or email is from their utility company or not.”

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin recently announced over $300,000 is coming to the area to enhance adult volunteer literacy and library programs.

“Our libraries and their programs underpin a community where everyone has access to resources to bolster their education,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this funding, our neighbors will be able to continue their efforts in improving their reading, writing, math and English literacy skills.”

The grants were awarded by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state.

ROCK ISLAND – In an effort to address the ongoing teacher shortage, State Senator Mike Halpin joined the Illinois State Board of Education in announcing $7.4 million in grants to help prepare high school students for careers in education.

“Children deserve to learn in schools that have adequate resources to bolster their education,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this funding, we are not only enriching the lives of current students, but expanding opportunities for all youth.”