Dave Koehler

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).

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.

He moved to Peoria, Illinois in 1978,

Koehler is a retired minister in the United Church of Christ.

Political career Koehler was on the Peoria County Board from 1982 to 1988, and Peoria City Council from 1989 to 1997. While on the city council, he was mayor pro tem for two years.

In early 2010, Koehler and other lawmakers called for the elimination of the position of Illinois Lieutenant Governor. Sheila Simon was selected by the Democratic State Central Committee instead, 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). He is also Vice-Chair of the Energy Committee. In the 97th General Assembly, he was once again chair of the Local Government Committee and chair of vice-chair of the Energy Committee.

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. He defeated Mary Burress in the 2020 general election, winning a fifth term in the Illinois State Senate.

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. In May 2022, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law.

As of July 2022, Senator Koehler is a member of the following Illinois Senate committee:

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)