The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA funding bill for Fiscal Year 2026, securing several priorities for Illinois, thanks to the efforts of Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.
Among the key projects funded in Southern Illinois:
Lawrenceville
- $450,000 for medical technology upgrades at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital.
This funding will support improvements in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring systems, and life-saving medical equipment.
Herrin
- $263,000 to Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4.
The funds will help expand the district’s pre-kindergarten center, allowing more young children to access early education programs.
West Frankfort
- $1 million to Southern Illinois Hospital Services for the expansion of Miners Memorial Rural Health Clinic.
The project will improve patient rooms and enhance provider workspaces, boosting health care access in the region.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
