ROCK ISLAND — State Senator Mike Halpin joined State Representative Gregg Johnson and the Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday to announce the completion of the I-280 bridge over the Mississippi River in Rock Island.

“I am grateful for the leaders that prioritized this funding and helped make this bridge a reality,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “But I want to offer a special 'thank you' to the skilled tradesmen and women that built this bridge from the riverbed up. We are lucky to have an amazing workforce in Illinois and we are a better state because of it.”

The $49.7 million project began in 2021 with the demolition and replacement of the I-280 westbound bridge deck, followed by the eastbound bridge deck in 2022. The final stage of the project, which patched and resurfaced I-280 from the bridge to the Illinois 92 interchange, was combined with another $16 million improvement that extended the work from the Illinois 92 interchange to east of the Milan Beltway. Additional work included bridge painting and lighting upgrades at Illinois 92.

The combined projects improved more than six miles of I-280 through Coal Valley, Moline, Milan and Rock Island. The interstate also serves the Quad City International Airport, which is estimated to generate nearly $650 million annually in economic impact and support nearly 4,400 jobs, according to an IDOT analysis of the state’s airports.

“We call it the Quad Cities for a reason: every town on both sides of the river needs one another to thrive,” said Johnson (D-East Moline). “This bridge is not just connecting two neighboring states, it is connecting one community split by a mighty river.”

Four years of Rebuild Illinois projects have seen over $12 billion invested in 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges, and 762 additional safety improvements. For information on other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state, visit idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD — A measure sponsored by State Senator Mike Halpin that changes the minimum amount of coverage farm mutual insurance companies are required to provide was signed into law Friday.

“Protecting our farmers against unpredictable forces of nature is crucial for sustaining our agricultural output,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “It is our duty to ensure farmers have access to insurance coverage that protects their investments and keeps our agricultural division resilient.”

Senate Bill 765 requires farm mutual insurance companies to have and maintain adequate catastrophic reinsurance, rather than unlimited catastrophic reinsurance—which limits the company’s exposure on any loss to 20% of its policyholders’ surplus. ACR provides coverage up to a predetermined limit, which allows the insurer to manage costs more effectively. UCR, on the other hand, can incur higher premiums due to the increased risk transferred to the reinsurer.

The Illinois Department of Insurance had previously interpreted the Farm Mutual Insurance Company Act as requiring unlimited catastrophic aggregate reinsurance coverage. This would have led to 44 farm mutual insurance companies in Illinois being unable to offer coverage this year under the requirement, potentially leaving over 51,000 policyholders uninsured. Under the new law, companies will allow broader access to reinsurance products and risk capital, helping to avoid disruptions in the farm mutual community. This will allow the marketplace to correct and set appropriate pricing for policyholders, ensuring farmers have access to coverage.

“This is a major win for farmers and farm mutual insurance companies,” said Halpin. “This law is proof of our commitment to the wellbeing of our state’s agriculture. ACR will be a lifeline for farmers, ensuring they can continue to feed our communities and drive our state’s agricultural success.”

Senate Bill 765 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin is highlighting the start of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s annual College Changes Everything Campaign—beginning with recognizing October as CCE Month.

“College Changes Everything Month reminds us that education is more than an individual journey,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island), chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “It’s a collective investment in our state’s future. By celebrating this month, we are acknowledging that every student’s success is a step toward a more thriving community.”

CCE is a college access movement that recognizes college can be a life-changing experience not only for students, but also for families and communities. In Illinois and across the nation, those who obtain education beyond high school not only see a significant impact on their potential career prospects and future salary, but also lower levels of poverty, crime and obesity rates in their communities. CCE is an essential part of helping Illinois reach its goal of increasing the proportion of adults in the state with high quality degrees or credentials to 60% by 2025.

For the past eight years, during CCE Month, ISAC has collaborated with schools and community-based organizations to provide free college and financial aid application completion workshops statewide. This year, CCE campaign activities will extend through the winter to better support students and families in light of the transition to a later launch date of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

“The College Changes Everything campaign aligns with our states’ values of affordability, access and equal opportunity in education,” said Halpin. “Together, we can empower and uplift students across Illinois to reach their full potential. I encourage all students and families to take advantage of the free workshops to alleviate as much stress as possible come college and FAFSA application time.”

For more information about CCE Month or the CCE campaign, visit the CCE website.