Latest news with #EricSorensen
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sorensen announces possible growth – not cuts – for the Peoria Ag Lab
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said the Ag Lab, instead of being shuttered, could actually see some growth. The release of next year's Agricultural Utilization Research budget proposal includes a potential growth for the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, more commonly known as the Ag Lab, for 'research expansion,' the congressman said in a news release. Terminated Peoria Ag Lab employees could return to work following a ruling 'When I heard this facility might be at risk, I made it a priority to make sure the administration and USDA leadership understood the value of this world-class research center. I'm proud to say our efforts paid off,' said the Rockford Democrat. 'We made our case loud and clear. I want to thank every researcher, every advocate, and every voice who spoke up. 'The work being done in this facility supports farmers, strengthens our food systems, and helps fight climate change. I'm proud to have stood with our community to show how important the NCAUR is—not just to Peoria, but to our entire nation' he said. Amid cuts being handed down by the Trump administration, fears rolled in about those cuts affecting the Ag Lab, said Ethan Roberts, the president of AFGE Local 3247, which is the union that represents the rank and file at the facility. 'The silence from USDA leadership created a culture of fear, driving away talented staff. But when we reached out to our stakeholders—especially the farming community—their support was overwhelming and helped put NCAUR and ARS back on the map,' he said. 'We're grateful to everyone who stood with us to protect the vital research we do for farmers and food safety.' Sorensen says he has been a 'fierce advocate' for the lab and has even outlined the lab's contributions to not only agriculture but also the regional economy. The lab has hundreds of employees and even supports local and global agricultural research and is the largest federal employer in the region, he said. The proposed budget would not just protect those hundreds of jobs but would also highlight their cutting-edge research, he said. Final funding decisions will be made by Congress, and Sorensen will continue to 'monitor the process and fight to make sure the Peoria Ag Lab remains fully protected,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Sorenson proposes bill to boost funding for veterans' home upgrades
(WTVO) — Illinois Representative Eric Sorenson (D) reintroduced a that would provide more funding to disabled veterans. The legislation would increase funding to the already $8,800 that disabled veterans receive to make modifications to their homes. The $8,800 is split, with 2,000 of the funds being available for injuries and disabilities unrelated to their military service. The proposal would increase the funding of those grants to $10,000 for disabilities caused by serving and $5,000 for unrelated conditions. Sorenson the bill for the first time in June of 2023. 'Making sure our veterans can live comfortably after serving is one of the ways we can show our gratitude for their sacrifices,' said Sorensen upon proposing the bill for the first time. 'This bill helps veterans who need this critical support transition smoothly from their time bravely serving our nation.' The second time around, Sorenson is being backed by co-sponsors in the House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen reintroduces to bipartisan internet bills
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen has announced he will reintroduce two bills that will expand access to affordable high speed internet. The Rural Broadband Assistance Act and the ReConnecting Rural America Act aim to make affordable high-speed internet across not only Illinois but the country as a whole more accessible, said Britany Hardaway, the Rockford Democrat's spokesperson. 'Every hometown in Illinois deserves the necessary tools to stay connected and grow,' said Sorensen. 'Whether it's helping our neighbors get the support they need to apply for broadband funding or strengthening programs that bring faster internet to places that need it most, these bills are about making sure rural America isn't left behind.' The goal of the Rural Broadband Assistance Act bill is to make it easier for small towns, local governments, non-profits and rural businesses to receive expert support when they apply for broadband funding, Hardaway said. The ReConnecting Rural America Act will strengthen and reauthorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Program, which looks to improve internet service speed requirements and ensure that communities most in need are prioritized for funding, she said. Sorensen has been a representative of Illinois' 17th congressional district, which is made up of an area that includes Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, since 2023, according to his website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Global News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Canada election: Live results from the 2025 vote
It is voting day in Canada. Global News will have live, real-time results in the maps and interactives on this page from all 343 ridings in Canada as people across the country are heading to the polls to cast their ballot in the 2025 federal election. Voters will elect 343 members of Parliament — five more than in the 2021 election — to serve as their representatives in Ottawa. A party needs 172 seats for a majority government. Races of note Election day coverage Global News will have robust coverage online and on-air beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and hosted by Dawna Friesen, along with senior national affairs correspondent Eric Sorensen and chief political correspondent David Akin, who will be breaking down real-time results from ridings across Canada. Mercedes Stephenson, host of The West Block, will also be joining the coverage along with a panel of guests, including former minister of labour Seamus O'Regan, former minister of transport Lisa Raitt, former shadow minister of finance Nathan Cullen, former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and others. Global News will also have live coverage from campaign headquarters from journalists Mackenzie Gray, Touria Izri, Neetu Garcha and Mike Armstrong. You can watch our live coverage in the video player above, on YouTube and anywhere you watch Global News. When do polls close? Here is the breakdown of voting hours across the country as provided by Elections Canada (all times local): Newfoundland Time: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Atlantic Time: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Eastern Time: 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Central Time: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Mountain Time (and Saskatchewan): 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Pacific Time: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Find your riding To get live, real-time results for your local riding and candidates, use our riding lookup tool. Each profile includes a list of candidates and past election results.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Normal police get $750,000 grant to hire new officers
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — On Thursday, US Representative Eric Sorensen presented the Town of Normal with a check to help with public safety. The $750,000 grant from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services also known as COPS. It allows the Normal Police Department to hire six new officers. Grant funding allowing Normal PD to hire new officers The funding was awarded in October with hopes of having a new officer within one year. At that time, the department was fully staffed with almost 90 people. Mayor Chris Koos said the department was fully staffed at the capacity of the Town's budget. Police Chief Steve Petrilli said they were in a position needing more officers due to the increase in calls for service and program expansions. 'Instead of doing that through the budget process, we decided to take some steps. And I give a lot of credit to my staff, to go through the grant application process,' he said. 'And now we're here. We've got elected officials that are advocating for our department, and ultimately got us six officers who are going to be used to fill needs. These officers were needed for certain programs. And that ranges from public safety to community engagement. And it was a huge success.' Petrilli said the department is currently on target to have new officers in six months. He added that he hopes to maintain those positions if federal funding is removed. Another big point of conversation with Sorensen was President Donald Trump's tariffs. He encourages people to reach out to his office to share their stories. Sorensen said blanket tariffs affect everyone. 'This is an additional tax on the working-class people in this country, and we have to stand up against it, but also we have to communicate where these things are going to hurt so that our neighbors understand what this means,' he said. 'Targeted tariffs do work. Ask any economist. They will tell you that targeted tariffs do work. But blanketed tariffs and trade wars do not.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
