Sorensen highlights veterans bill, funding for local projects ahead of Biden's State of the Union

MOLINE — Hours before President Joe Biden addressed the nation in his annual State of the Union address, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, offered "state of the district" remarks that, among other topics, highlighted his efforts to provide more resources to veterans.

Sorensen, speaking with reporters in a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon, touted legislation he filed last July, known as the Autonomy for All Disabled Veterans Act, that would give money to disabled veterans to improve their homes, including adding stairlifts and ramps, and allow them to live comfortably when they return home from their service.

“It’s the least we could do for our heroes,” Sorensen said. “I’m fighting for them in Congress every day so we can get this bill passed because I know the difference this is going to make in the lives of not just them, but the families they’re connected to.”

Sorenson invited Quad-Cities veteran Leo “Doc” Kaalberg as his guest for Biden’s address Thursday evening. Kaalberg served as a combat medic in the first infantry division for the U.S. Army, completed four tours and earned the Purple Heart twice.

Sorenson also highlighted how the House passed a $460 billion government funding bill Wednesday night that would bring $130 million back to the district. The money would allow many towns and cities throughout the district to work on projects and provide local services among other things. He said he is hopeful the Senate will pass this funding effort and send it to Biden’s desk.

“Democrats and Republicans came together on a funding measure that would help bring funding and tax dollars back home for local projects that will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors,” Sorensen said.

Among the disbursements, several Central and Northwest Illinois municipalities would receive funds, including:

• Bloomington, $2 million for sewer work;
• Moline, $500,000 for lead water service line replacement;
• Rock Island, $1.4 million for its 35th Street West/Rock Island Parkway intersection;
• Peoria, $500,000 for sidewalk upgrades and $500,000 for affordable single family housing of the south side;
• Peoria Heights, $960,000 for the Illinois Route 29 water main replacement project;
• Upper Mississippi River and Illinois water waste system, $120 million;
• Winnebago County, $847,000 for a regional police training center;
• Freeport and Freeport Well House #12, nearly $1 million;
• Monmouth, $959,000 for lead service line replacement;
• Lanark, nearly $1 million for water main replacement;
• Rockford, $1 million for bridge replacement on Eighth Street.

The 17th Congressional District is C-shaped, encompassing the urban cores of Rockford, the Quad-Cities, Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, along some rural areas in between. 

Sorensen is running for reelection. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republicans Joe McGraw, a retired judge; and Scott Crowl, a farmer, are running in the Republican primary.