State Senator Dale Fowler is proud to announce the completion of the Old Shawneetown Ohio Boat Ramp and would like to formally invite local leaders and the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the newly redone ramp. “The completion of this project is huge for Gallatin County and the surrounding area, and I want to thank everyone who played a role in seeing this project through,” said Senator Fowler. “Between state, federal and local agencies, it was all-hands-on-deck to get the residents of this area the new boat ramp they deserve for both public safety and recreational purposes.” Earlier this summer, local leaders and project stakeholders broke ground on the project officially starting construction on June 20, 2023. Since then, Brown and Roberts Inc., which is overseeing the project, elevated a portion of the lower ramp and parking area, completed a new boat access ramp, placed two jetties into the river to divert siltation, and replaced nearly 2,000 square feet of parking lot and rip rap along the area. Gallatin County Emergency Management will launch their emergency rescue boat during the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11AM at the new boat ramp. “This new boat ramp plays a vital role in public safety and it’s only fitting that the first boat launched is our emergency rescue boat considering it’s been 15 years since we’ve had river access from the Illinois side,” said Gallatin County Emergency Management Director, Steve Gault. “This new ramp will ensure faster response times and could save lives as we now have immediate access to river emergencies versus before we had a 35–40-minute drive to launch any sort of water response call.” The project was made possible by an $800,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. |
This week, the Illinois State Police released rules to implement part of the state’s new firearms ban law. While the new law bans a variety of so-called “assault” rifles, it allows owners of those firearms to lawfully keep possession as long as they submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account before January 1, 2024, affirming they owned the firearm(s) prior to January 10, 2023—the date in which the law took effect. Under the controversial law, which continues to be the subject of lawsuits making their way through the federal court system, affidavits must include the applicant’s FOID card number and the make, model, caliber, and serial number of each firearm. The Illinois State Police says it will begin accepting affidavits online starting October 1, and they must be submitted online through a FOID Card account, which can be accessed through ISP’s Firearms Services Bureau website or by going directly to www.ispfsb.com/Public/Login.aspx. Senator Fowler voted against the measure to ban firearms and believes it violates the United States Constitution and is a major infringement on the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. |
Low-income Illinois families can soon begin to apply to receive financial assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The application period begins Monday, October 2, 2023, under a tiered system, allowing priority groups the first chance to receive available funds, including seniors (age 60 and older), disabled and families with children under the age of 6 years old. Then, on November 1, 2023, households that are disconnected from their utilities/energy vendors, have a disconnection notice, or have less than 25% in their propane tank can start applying for LIHEAP assistance. All other income eligible households can start applying on December 1, 2023. The amount of support families can receive varies based on the needs of the applicants, but last year over 311,000 households received an average of over $1,000. The eligible income thresholds can be found on the Help Illinois Families website. Families can also call the hotline at 1-833-711-0374 if they think they might be eligible for the program. |
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the application period for the Small Equipment Grant Program is now open to eligible fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and not-for-profit ambulance services. In an effort to address the financial hardships many fire departments face, the Small Equipment Grant Program provides grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Under the program, $4 million is available and qualified departments must apply by December 15, 2023. Click here to learn more about the program and how to apply. |
- Old Shawneetown Boat Ramp Ribbon Cutting, Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11AM at the new boat ramp
- Traveling Office Hours
- Monday, October 2 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Vienna City Hall, 205 N. 4th Street, Vienna, IL 62995
- Monday, October 2 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Goreville City Hall, 100 S. Broadway, Goreville, IL 62939
- Wednesday, October 4 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Rosiclare City Hall, 632 Main Street, Rosiclare, IL 62982
- Wednesday, October 4 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Cave In Rock City Hall, 100 N. Canal Street, Cave In Rock, IL 62919
- Blood Drive with ImpactLife, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., The HUB Recreation Center, 917 West Main Street, Marion, IL 62959
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