Press Releases
PEORIA, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce the City of Peoria has been awarded $3,036,362 through FEMA’s Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
The funding will support the hiring of firefighters, helping Peoria maintain adequate staffing levels and ensuring faster, more effective emergency response for the community.
KEWANEE, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce the City of Kewanee has received $166,666 through FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program.
The funding will support fire prevention and safety initiatives, helping reduce fire-related risks and improve community awareness and preparedness.
“Fire prevention saves lives before emergencies happen,” said Congressman Sorensen. “This grant will help Kewanee invest in proactive safety efforts that protect our neighbors and first responders.”
"Through the use of these grant funds, the Kewanee Fire Department will be able to initiate a Community Risk Reduction Plan aimed at all businesses and public access buildings in the city of Kewanee. We will now be able to fortify the fire prevention aspects of public safety that would have otherwise been financially unattainable." Kewanee Fire Chief, Stephen Welgat said.
The Kewanee Fire Department was also the recipient of a FY24 FEMA AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) award in the amount of $203,561.66. Those funds helped purchase 3 new automatic external defibrillators (AED's). Those AED's have already arrived and are currently in service.
FEMA completed awarding FY24 fire grants in September 2025, with recipients now posted publicly on the agency’s website. These programs provide critical support to fire departments and communities across the country.
KEWANEE, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce the City of Kewanee has received $166,666 through FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program.
The funding will support fire prevention and safety initiatives, helping reduce fire-related risks and improve community awareness and preparedness.
“Fire prevention saves lives before emergencies happen,” said Congressman Sorensen. “This grant will help Kewanee invest in proactive safety efforts that protect our neighbors and first responders.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to help millions of Americans afford their health insurance.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce major victories for the Rock Island Arsenal and communities across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in this year’s national defense legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) has joined legislation to protect older Americans from financial scams, which often spike during the busy holiday season. The Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act is a bipartisan bill endorsed by AARP that gives state and local law enforcement new tools to prevent and investigate financial scams targeting seniors.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) secured $825,000 to support the construction of a regional training tower in Rock Falls that will serve all fire departments in the area. The tower will allow firefighters to train under realistic conditions, ensuring they are fully prepared to respond to the challenges they’ll face on the scene when seconds matter.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) helped secure more than $9 million in new federal funding to invest in the critical work at the Rock Island Arsenal that will ensure our military remains prepared to protect our national security.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) helped secure $8 million in federal funding to build a new readiness center for the Illinois Army National Guard in Peoria.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following statement on today’s vote to release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“The truth belongs to the American people. For too long, this case has been defined by secrecy, speculation, and a lack of transparency. It’s time to release the files,” said Congressman Sorensen. “We all deserve answers, and not cover-ups. Releasing the Epstein files is a necessary step toward making sure that no one is above the law, and every victim receives the justice they deserve.”
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following statement ahead of a vote this evening on a government funding bill that does nothing to address skyrocketing health care costs.