BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Mike Halpin and members of the Illinois General Assembly joined the Illinois Farm Bureau for a press conference Wednesday to announce the Family Farm Preservation Act.

“The Family Farm Preservation Act addresses reoccurring issues for farmers under the current estate tax system — from farmers having to sell their land to breaking up the family agribusiness in order to keep up with these hefty taxes,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Family-owned farms across Illinois contribute to the success of our state’s agricultural powerhouse, and alleviating unnecessary financial burdens allows them to continue their valuable service.”

Senate Bill 2921 is a bipartisan effort led by State Senator Dave Koehler designed to protect farm families and their land by updating the Illinois Estate Tax code to include protections in regards to inflation. Legislators and stakeholders at the press conference expressed the need for this legislation and the opportunities it would give farmers and their families who provide food across the state. State Representative Sharon Chung introduced an identical bill in the House, House Bill 4600.

“Farmers are on the frontlines of our communities to provide affordable local food and resources,” said Halpin. “This initiative benefits the farmer as well as their family’s future farmers, and I look forward to seeing how our state’s agricultural industry evolves from such improvements.”

The Family Farm Preservation Act awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

GALESBURG – State Senator Mike Halpin is launching a Valentine’s Day card drive for Galesburg residents living in long-term care facilities.

“We want to make sure that our seniors get the appreciation they deserve on Valentine’s Day,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I believe that it’s important to start off the new year by reminding our seniors that they are valued and recognized.”

Halpin is encouraging community members in the Galesburg area to write Valentine’s Day cards, which can be dropped off or mailed to his Galesburg constituent service office. Once all the cards have been collected, they will be delivered to senior facilities in Knox County.

The collection of Valentine’s Day cards will run through Friday, Feb. 9. Those wishing to participate can drop off or mail cards to Halpin’s Galesburg office, located at 117 E. Main. St., Suite 103, Galesburg, IL 61401.

For more information or questions, residents can reach out to Halpin’s Galesburg office at (309) 297-4483.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Representative Gregg Johnson announced Friday that Saukie Golf Course is set to receive a state grant of $900,000 to renovate the clubhouse.

“You can learn a lot about a community by the way they invest in publicly accessible recreation for residents,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The state is kicking in close to $1 million to upgrade the club house at Saukie, which is a significant investment for the revitalization efforts in Rock Island.”

Plans are to replace the 95-year-old clubhouse at Saukie Golf Course with a new facility to better serve golfers and all users while maintaining the golf course’s historical significance. The current clubhouse is beyond its useful life and in a state of deterioration. The new clubhouse will include meeting space, seating areas, office, kitchen and dining area, two golf simulators, and outdoor seating facing the course. It will create a more welcoming and fully accessible starting and ending point for golfers and provide year-round space for learning and enrichment activities with indoor hitting bays and simulators.

“The tourism dollars that will come to Rock Island as a result of much-needed improvements to the Saukie Golf Course are going to make a world of difference for the local economy,” said Johnson (D-East Moline). “Building a stronger future for our community starts with steady economic growth, and I am pleased to be able to secure the money for Rock Island to achieve that.”

The funding comes from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act, or PARC, grant program, which is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the program.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin announced that 16 school districts from the Quad Cities, Galesburg, Monmouth, Macomb and the surrounding areas have received nearly $30,000 to provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

“Funding for our school libraries is a good investment in our future,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The next generation of leaders are out there, and it’s essential that we provide them the resources needed to succeed.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library. Funding for the School District Library Grant Program originates from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated for this purpose by the Illinois General Assembly.

The following school districts in Halpin’s district received a total of $28,886:

• Bushnell Prairie City District 170 - $850
• Carbon Cliff-Barstow District 36 - $850
• Colona Grade School District 190 - $850
• East Moline District 37 - $2,132
• Galesburg School District 205 - $3,233
• Hampton School District 29 - $850
• Knoxville School District 202 - $850
• Macomb School District 185 - $1,644
• Moline-Coal Valley District 40 - $6,083
• Monmouth-Roseville SD 238 - $1,319
• Orion School District 223 - $850
• Rock Island-Milan SD 41 - $5,088
• Sherrard School District 200 - $1,144
• Silvis School District 34 - $850
• United School District 304 - $850
• United Township District 30 - $1,443

The grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade across the state.

“The School District Library Grant Program lends for the opportunity for school districts throughout Illinois to enhance the library media services offered to students within their schools,” said Tammy Muerhoff, Rock Island County Regional Superintendent of Schools. “These funds will provide for additional books and other library media materials to offer students with enriching opportunities to explore and learn. 

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.