Dave Koehler

{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = David Koehler | image = File:Dave Koehler.jpeg | alt = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|12|16}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | birth_name = | state_senate = Illinois | district = 46th | term_start = {{start date|2006|12|03}} | term_end = | predecessor = George Shadid | successor =  | party = Democrat | other_party =  | spouse = Nora Sullivan | partner =  | relations = | children = 3 | alma_mater = Yankton College (BA)<br>{{nowrap|United Theological Seminary (MDiv)}} | occupation = | profession = Minister (retired) | committees = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = }} '''David Koehler''' (born December 16, 1948) is a Democratic politician from Illinois, and has been the Illinois State Senator from 46th Legislative District since December 2006. The district includes parts of Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and McLean Counties.

==Biographical background== Koehler was born and raised in South Dakota. He graduated from Yankton College in South Dakota (Bachelor of Arts, 1971) and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio (Master of Divinity).<ref name="koehler-about">{{cite web |url=http://www.koehlerforstatesenate.com/about.aspx |title=About Dave Koehler |work=Dave Koehler, State Senator, 46th District |publisher=Friends of Dave Koehler |location=Pekin, Illinois |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530022703/http://www.koehlerforstatesenate.com/about.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-30 }}</ref>

He was a staff member at the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) from 1972 to 1978 working in Arizona, Ohio, New York, and eventually at the United Farm Workers La Paz headquarters in Keene, California.<ref name="koehler-about"/><ref name="sendem-about">{{cite web | url = http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/about-me-koehler | title = Senator David Koehler Bio | work = Illinois Senate Democrats | publisher = Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus | date = 2009-07-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121228185720/http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/about-me-koehler | archive-date = 2012-12-28 | access-date = 2014-12-10 }}</ref>

He moved to Peoria, Illinois in 1978,<ref name="sendem-about"/> and became a community organizer{{clarify|date=February 2011}} and manager for the Peoria Friendship House, a local charity. He became executive director of the Peoria Area Labor Management Council (PALM) in 1985, and president of its Labor Management Cooperative Health Programs in 1992.<ref name="koehler-about"/><ref name="sendem-about"/>

His wife is Nora Sullivan.<ref name="koehler-about"/> They live in Peoria,<ref name="sendem-about"/> and started Peoria Bread Company, a bakery, in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peoriabreadcompany.com/index2.html |title=Goodness Cafe |publisher=Peoria Bread Company |location=Peoria, Illinois |date=2010-11-29 |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207191720/http://peoriabreadcompany.com/index2.html |archive-date=2011-02-07 }}</ref>

Koehler is a retired minister in the United Church of Christ.<ref name="sjr-begins">{{cite news | url = http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1996679071/Illinois-Senate-begins-debate-on-civil-unions-bill | title = Illinois Senate approves civil unions; bill headed to governor | date = 2010-12-02 | first = Chris | last = Wetterich | work = The State Journal-Register | location = Springfield, Illinois | access-date = 2011-02-12 }}</ref>

==Political career== Koehler was on the Peoria County Board from 1982 to 1988, and Peoria City Council from 1989 to 1997.<ref name="koehler-about"/><ref name="ilga-1727">{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=1727&GA=97 |title=Senator David Koehler (D), 46th District |publisher=Illinois General Assembly |location=Springfield, Illinois |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428094745/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/senator.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1727 |archive-date=2011-04-28 }}</ref> While on the city council, he was mayor pro tem for two years.<ref name="sendem-about"/>

Koehler was elected to the Illinois Senate in November 2006; his predecessor, George Shadid, retired in December 2006, allowing Koehler to take office in on December 3, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Journal|date=January 7, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2021|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|url=https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/94/2007/SJ094117R.pdf}}</ref><ref name="sendem-about"/> He was re-elected uncontested in 2010.<ref name="pjstar-no2">{{cite news | url = http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1121879242/State-Sen-Dave-Koehler-seeks-Lt-Gov-post | title = Koehler wants No. 2 spot | date = 2010-03-05 | first = Karen | last = McDonald | work = PJStar.com | location = Peoria, Illinois | publisher = Gatehouse Media }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=116920 | title = Home > Illinois 2010 > Candidates > KOEHLER, DAVID | work = Follow the Money | publisher = National Institute on Money in State Politics | location = Helena, Montana | access-date = 2011-02-12 }}</ref>

In early 2010, Koehler and other lawmakers called for the elimination of the position of Illinois Lieutenant Governor.<ref name="pjstar-no2"/> After candidate Scott Lee Cohen, the Democratic primary winner for Lieutenant Governor, dropped out, Koehler applied to be considered for that seat as running mate in Governor Pat Quinn's first election campaign after succeeding to the governorship.<ref name="pjstar-no2"/><ref name="cinc-talks">{{cite news | url = http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/86679582.html | title = Sen. Koehler Talks About Lt. Gov. Office | author = WEEK-TV | author-link = WEEK-TV | location = East Peoria, Illinois | date = 2010-03-05 | publisher = Granite Broadcasting | access-date = 2011-02-12 }}</ref> Sheila Simon was selected by the Democratic State Central Committee instead,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/03/democrats-pick-quinn-running-mate-simon-and-turner-are-finalists.html |title=Clout St: Democrats pick Simon as Quinn's running mate |publisher=newsblogs.chicagotribune.com |date=2010-03-27 | first = Rick | last = Pearson |access-date=2011-02-12}}</ref> and won the election.

During the 96th Illinois General Assembly, Koehler was the chair of the Local Government Committee and of the Subcommittee on Fertilizers and Chemicals (of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/senate/SenCommittees.asp?MemberID=1523&GA=96 |title=Senator David Koehler (D), 46th District, 96th General Assembly |publisher=Illinois General Assembly |location=Springfield, Illinois |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043050/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/SenCommittees.asp?MemberID=1523&GA=96 |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> He is also Vice-Chair of the Energy Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=765&GA=96 |title=Energy - Members |publisher=Illinois General Assembly |location=Springfield, Illinois |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043056/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=765&GA=96 |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> In the 97th General Assembly, he was once again chair of the Local Government Committee and chair of vice-chair of the Energy Committee.<ref name="ilga-1727"/>

Saying he had a good team and was pleased by the results, Sen. Koehler defeated his Republican opponent for a second four-year term in the Nov. 2012 general election, Peoria-area businessman and developer Pat Sullivan, by a margin of 39,149 to 31,684 — or a 55 percent to 45 percent margin, with Tazewell County unable to provide complete results late Tuesday. His priorities are pension reform and tax code changes, civil unions, passing of concealed carry, and containing the budget and a backlog of unpaid bills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1440176296/Dave-Koehler-flabbergasted-by-46th-District-win|title = Dave Koehler 'flabbergasted' by 46th District win}}</ref>

Koehler was reelected to a fourth term in 2016. In 2018, J. B. Pritzker appointed Koehler to Powering Illinois’ Future transition committee, which is responsible for infrastructure and clean energy policies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Rich|title=Pritzker transition unveils Powering Illinois' Future Committee|date=November 26, 2018|newspaper=Capitol Fax|access-date=November 26, 2018|url=https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/26/pritzker-transition-unveils-powering-illinois%e2%80%99-future-committee/}}</ref> He defeated Mary Burress in the 2020 general election, winning a fifth term in the Illinois State Senate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pjstar.com/news/20201103/dave-koehler-defeats-mary-burress-in-46th-state-senate-district |title=Dave Koehler defeats Mary Burress in 46th state Senate district - News - Journal Star - Peoria, IL |access-date=2020-11-05 |archive-date=2020-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105062316/https://www.pjstar.com/news/20201103/dave-koehler-defeats-mary-burress-in-46th-state-senate-district |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2022, Koehler served as the lead sponsor of House Bill 4089, which required Illinois school districts to provide plant-based lunch options compliant with federal nutrition mandates to students who submit a prior request to the district. Koehler stated the proposal's intention was to accommodate diverse religious, cultural, and health needs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hancock |first=Peter |date=2022-03-30 |title=Bill would require schools to offer vegan, vegetarian options upon request |url=https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/bill-would-require-schools-to-offer-vegan-vegetarian-options-upon-request/ |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Capitol News Illinois |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2022, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buxton |first=Amy |date=2022-05-27 |title=Illinois Governor Ensures Plant-Based Meals Will Be Served In Public Schools Statewide |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/illinois-schools-get-plant-based-meals/ |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Green Queen |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of July 2022, Senator Koehler is a member of the following Illinois Senate committee:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Illinois General Assembly - Senator Committees |url=https://ilga.gov/senate/SenCommittees.asp?MemberID=2814 |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=ilga.gov}}</ref>

* Agriculture Committee (SAGR) * (Chairman of) Appropriations - Agriculture, Environment & Energy Committee (SAPP-SAAE) * Appropriations - Health Committee (SAPP-SAHA) * Appropriations Committee (SAPP) * Education Committee (SESE) * Energy and Public Utilities Committee (SENE) * Health Committee (SHEA) * Labor Committee (SLAB) * (Co-chairman of) Labor - Special Issues Committee (SLAB-SLSI) * Redistricting - East Central and Southeastern Illinois Committee (SRED-SRSE) * Redistricting - Northern Illinois Committee (SRED-SRNI) * (Chairman of) Redistricting - West Central Illinois Committee (SRED-SRWC) * Subcommittee on Next Generation Nuclear (SENE-SNGN) * Subcommittee on Managed Care Organizations (SHEA-SMCO) * (Chairman of) Subcommittee on Public Health (SHEA-SHPH)

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%" |+ Illinois Senate 46th District election results 2006-2020 ! Year ! ! Democrat ! Votes ! Pct ! ! Republican ! Votes ! Pct ! |- |2006 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |32,873 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |58.61% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Ernie Russell |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |23,209 |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |41.39% | |- |2010 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |43,474 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |100% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |''no candidate'' |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" | |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" | | |- |2012 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |45,054 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |54.18% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Pat Sullivan |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |38,104 |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |45.82% | |- |2016 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |70,854 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |100% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |''no candidate'' |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" | |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" | | |- |2020 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |47,492 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |53.89% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Mary Burress |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |40,634 |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |46.11% | |- |2022 | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Dave Koehler''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |38,672 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |58.07% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Desi Anderson |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |27,924 |{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |41.93% | |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://my.ilga.gov/Member/Index/1938?tab=1&chamber=S Biography, bills and committees] at the 98th Illinois General Assembly **By session: [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=98&MemberID=1938 98th], [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1727 97th], [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=96&MemberID=1523 96th], [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=95&MemberID=1343 95th], [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=94&MemberID=1319 94th] *[http://www.senatordavekoehler.com/ State Senator David Koehler] constituency site * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=56935 | fec= | congress= }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110109161734/http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/sen-koehler-home Senator Dave Koehler] at Illinois Senate Democrats

{{DEFAULTSORT:Koehler, Dave}} Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:County board members in Illinois Category:Illinois city council members Category:Democratic Party Illinois state senators Category:People from South Dakota Category:Politicians from Peoria, Illinois Category:United Church of Christ ministers Category:United Theological Seminary alumni Category:Peoria, Illinois City Council members Category:21st-century members of the Illinois General Assembly