In the News

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Ahead of their meeting Wednesday, the board that oversees the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport got further confirmation that money was coming to build a new control tower.

But the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria must also worry about underground mines in the area that could possibly lead to unstable ground where the control tower is slated to be built.

A local congressmen says John Deere isn’t planning any more layoffs. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen met with company officials last week, and said they told him there are no planned “workforce changes.” Sorensen wanted the sit-down with Deere after the company announced 1,500 layoffs in July. Sorensen said he is concerned about the jobs that are leaving the Quad Cities for Mexico, and said he planned to fight for local workers here. Sorensen, who represents eastern Mercer County, said the company assured him that there are no plans to move the company headquarters from Moline.

MOLINE, Ill. — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D), IL-17, met with John Deere leadership this week at the company's headquarters in Moline. Sorensen, who represents the Illinois Quad Cities area, said the meeting was to get answers on recent layoffs and future plans for Deere. 

Since May, the company has announced layoffs impacting more than 1,500 workers at its production facilities and headquarters. 

A member of the House Ag Committee says the U.S. government needs to ensure dedicated annual funding for the inland waterway system.

Eric Sorenson, who represents Illinois’ 17^th district, tells Brownfield…

“I want to see this as part of the President’s budget.”  He says, “We’ve got to make sure that we understand that the lock and dam system is as much infrastructure as a bridge over the river, an airport, or a railroad.”

He says a recent tour of Lock and Dam 16 on the Mississippi River demonstrated the need for modernization.

As the Democratic National Convention is underway, one congressman is making his rounds outside of Chicago. Representative Eric Sorensen visited Martin Equipment Tuesday in order to see what issues the company wants him to relay back to Congress. One concern is the lack of interest in trade jobs.

A Congressman representing this area and parts of western and central Illinois says he still wants to see a new Farm Bill passed, even if no one else does.

17th District Democrat Eric Sorensen says lawmakers in Congress have tried in recent years to get a Farm Bill up for a vote in both chambers, but it just hasn’t gotten as far as he or they would like.

A member of the U.S. House Ag Committee says his constituents need a modernized farm bill.

Illinois Democrat Eric Sorenson says it was the top topic of conversation during his visit to the Illinois State Fair.

“The reference price problem that we have, that was one thing that was hot on people’s minds.”  He says, “Then also the big question, ‘Are we going to get a farm bill, who’s pushing for it? What is the holdup?’

BLOOMINGTON — Local elected officials celebrated the first anniversary of Connect Transit's Connect Flex service Tuesday with a visit from U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, DRockford. "This on-demand program makes getting around even easier for seniors and veterans and families, and it represents what we can accomplish when we listen to the needs of our neighbors and then respond together, working across party lines to find the ways to meet the needs," Sorensen said.