{"podcast":{"title":"Regional Media Podcast Network","slug":"regional-media-podcast-network-357577","podcast_index_feed_id":357577,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/regionalmedia/feed.xml","website_url":"https://podcast.regionalmedia.live","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10706894/a21a88d9cbcc77d482b852d3e75e3fb0.png","author":"Regional Media","episode_count":100,"summary":"Local News, Local Events, Local Everything from across the state of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey and More! We discuss local events with local leaders!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-24T06:19:48.756947+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/regional-media-podcast-network-357577"},"episode":{"title":"Wake Up Tri-Counties Senator Mike Halpin Talks Budget and State Programs from the Spring Legislative Session","slug":"wake-up-tri-counties-senator-mike-halpin-talks-budget-and-state-programs-from-the-spring-legislative-session","published_at":"2026-07-23T16:44:02+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/regional-media-podcast-network-357577/wake-up-tri-counties-senator-mike-halpin-talks-budget-and-state-programs-from-the-spring-legislative-session","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/regional-media-podcast-network-357577","url":"https://podcast.regionalmedia.live/e/wake-up-tri-counties-senator-mike-halpin-talks-budget-and-state-programs-from-the-spring-legislative-session/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6rj4xam9hn79hbrv/Wake_Up_Tri-Counties_Senator_Mike_Halpin_Talks_Spring_Session_Updates_in_Illinois7fry8.mp3","summary":"State Senator Mike Halpin says Illinois’ new budget includes added support for school lunch programs and a three-month food assistance bridge for families losing federal benefits. Speaking on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Halpin also defended new taxes on digital advertising and social media platforms, saying the revenue could help fund services including mental health care. He said higher education funding remains a top priority, especially for rural students and schools like Western Illinois University. Halpin also discussed efforts to recover back wages, ease substitute teacher shortages, limit eminent domain for CO₂ pipelines, and protect vulnerable adults under guardianship. State Senator Mike Halpin praised three newly signed Illinois laws that strengthen support for military service members and veterans. The legislation aims to boost Illinois National Guard recruitment, help student service members return to college after military leave, and expand access to innovative mental health treatments for veterans. Halpin highlighted Senate Bill 3926, which moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council to the Illinois Department of Public Health, where it will help expand access to emerging therapies, improve provider training, enhance patient safety, and promote public awareness. He also applauded Senate Bill 3737, requiring colleges and universities to promptly readmit students returning from military service, and Senate Bill 3818, which encourages Illinois National Guard recruitment through a peer referral incentive program. All three laws take effect January 1, 2027. His office can be reached at 309-558-3612. Mike Halpin serves as Illinois State Senator for the 36th District, representing most of Rock Island County and portions of…","meta_description":"State Senator Mike Halpin says Illinois’ new budget includes added support for school lunch programs and a three-month food assistance bridge for families…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":756,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/regional-media-podcast-network-357577/episodes/wake-up-tri-counties-senator-mike-halpin-talks-budget-and-state-programs-from-the-spring-legislative-session/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/regional-media-podcast-network-357577/wake-up-tri-counties-senator-mike-halpin-talks-budget-and-state-programs-from-the-spring-legislative-session.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}