SPRINGFIELD – In the face of a growing teacher shortage in downstate Illinois, State Senator Mike Halpin’s plan to allow retired teachers to work additional paid hours has passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

“If we are going to build a future in Illinois that works for all of us, teachers are one of the most valuable human resources we have,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island).  “Retired teachers have the experience and the time to support our school districts, students and communities. Giving them the option of more substitution hours will give much needed support to our education system.”

Every single Democrat and Republican in the Senate supported Senate Bill 2953. Halpin’s measure, to extend the sunset of a provision that allows retired teachers to work up to 120 days or 600 paid hours as a substitute teacher without impacting their retirement status – in turn addressing the teacher shortage downstate.

Illinois continues to suffer through a teacher shortage. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, 87% of schools surveyed said they have a teacher shortage problem and 91% are struggling to fill substitute teacher openings. Also according to the ISBE, nearly 4,000 teaching positions went unfilled and 87% of education leaders indicated a minor, serious, or very serious problem with teacher shortages.

“This legislation will support every school in every district downstate,” said Halpin. “Making sure our kids have the tools they need to thrive and be successful in life isn’t a partisan value, it’s a family value. If retired teachers want to work to support our children, we should not stand in their way.”

Senate Bill 2953 passed the Senate and awaits further consideration in the House.

MOLINE - In order to promote transparency, engage the community and consider various safety proposals for the Steel and Sears Dams, State Senator Mike Halpin is calling for the community to attend and comment at a public hearing regarding this key issue.

“This hearing will give folks who live, work, and play near the Rock River a chance to share their views on the Steel and Sears Dams,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “IDNR’s safety study will give our municipal and community leaders powerful insight into alternatives that protect the environment and recreation on the river, while ensuring the river is as safe as possible for that purpose.”

The hearing will include preliminary findings from the safety study conducted by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and will include public comment following the presentation of their findings. The Steel Dam and Sears Dam have been the site of fatal accidents and the study’s purpose is to examine ways to mitigate the safety risk and prevent these tragedies in the future.

Senator Halpin invites the public to attend the hearing at the IBEW Hall at 1700 52nd Ave., in Moline on March 16 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those with questions should call Senator Halpin’s office at 309-558-3612, text at 309-297-4483 or check out his website.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Mike Halpin supported a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.

“The cost of living is on the rise, increasingly making it harder for our seniors to live in our communities, with high property taxes continuing to contribute to this issue,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this bill, we are ensuring that property taxes are not burdensome for seniors and do not price them out of their homes.”

Senate Bill 642 would deliver critical updates to help seniors on fixed incomes and help families facing economic challenges manage rising property tax costs. Under the measure, the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption would increase substantially over the next several years, beginning at $75,000 for taxable year 2026, increasing to $77,000 for taxable year 2027 and settling at $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and beyond.

SPRINGFIELD – Building on recent successes in funding Western Illinois infrastructure, State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure landmark transit upgrades for the region.

“This investment will go to necessary upkeep and expansion of our public transit system in Western Illinois,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this money, we have the opportunity to expand ridership, improve safety and bring economic opportunity to the entire region.”

Most notably, the transit package includes funding for Chicago – Quad Cities passenger rail. This level of funding significantly advances the more than two-decade push to reestablish a passenger rail connection between Chicago and the Quad Cities. The legislation also addresses the downstate mass transit “fiscal cliff,” allocating nearly $160 million to downstate transit districts, including Metrolink, Warren County Transportation, City of Galesburg Transit, and Go West Transit in Macomb.