Rock Island Today

On Friday, Representative Dan Swanson began his day volunteering at Junior Achievement BizTown in Moline. Seventh-grade students from AlWood, Cambridge, and Colona participated in the event. Karen Schultz joined Swanson as a volunteer at the Black Hawk College room. Students engaged in role-playing activities as business leaders, focusing on financing, marketing, leadership, voting, and teamwork.

Following this event, Swanson attended an Amtrak Corridor meeting in Galesburg. He serves on this committee alongside mayors and members of chambers and tourism organizations along the Amtrak corridor from Chicago to Quincy. Representatives from Princeton to Quincy participate quarterly.

Swanson then traveled to speak at the Cambridge FFA Wreaths Across America event. The program highlighted veterans and farmers with participation from Orion VFW & American Legion members who posted colors and demonstrated flag folding. Afterward, FFA students placed wreaths on veteran/farmer graves throughout Henry County.

In legislative news, 293 new laws will take effect on January 1. Among them is a law allowing the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish or authorize a program for dispensing fentanyl testing strips through local health departments and hospitals. Another law mandates that DCFS or any state agency responsible for daycare licensing host orientation programs twice yearly in every district.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is accepting applications for the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant program. This initiative offers up to $350,000 per project with a total of $5 million available statewide. Applications must be postmarked or submitted electronically by February 28.

Swanson extended holiday wishes: "I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season and a very happy new year."