ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is expanding his free 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament to accommodate an anticipated 400 or more players – twice as many as competed in 2014 – with the continued goal of evolving into a large-scale, signature community event.

Registration is open until Sept. 2 to boys and girls in 3rd through 8th grades at www.senatorstadelmanhoopstars.eventbrite.com.

Stadelman said the HoopStars tournament again will take place at Davis Park immediate following the Labor Day parade, but the number of courts will increase from four to eight. The event also will feature expanded courtside activities as state agencies and local nonprofit groups that provide children and family services join event sponsors at information booths offering interactive displays and giveaways. Families attending the tournament also can enjoy music and kids rides at no charge, courtesy of Rockford United Labor, which holds its annual picnic for union members at the same time and place.

“I’m encouraged that interest in the tournament remains strong and grateful to the event partners whose generosity provides equipment, game officials, advertising, T-shirts, trophies and more,” said Stadelman, noting that AT&T signed on this year to help defray costs of the HoopStars expansion.

Stadelman emphasized that HoopStars’ primary purpose won’t change even as the youth tournament   moves toward becoming a premier amateur sports event in the spirit of Gus Macker, the adult basketball competition that for years took place on dozens of downtown streets.

“My reason for organizing this event is to give kids -- particularly those from low-income families and inner-city neighborhoods -- a positive, no-cost way to end the summer,” he said. “HoopStars is about the love of the game and kids having a ball.”

SPRINGFIELD–A proposal sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) to create a discount program for military veterans living in Illinois was signed into law earlier today. The program allows the nearly 722,000 Illinois veterans to receive discounts at participating businesses.

"We may never be able to fully repay our veterans for the sacrifices they have made, but this program is a small step to show our appreciation," said Stadelman.

 In July, the Secretary of State began offering drivers’ licenses that designate a veteran’s status. These licenses along with the Common Access Cards issued to active military members will be accepted at businesses that choose to participate in the program.

A similar program has been in place in Cook County since February of this year. Under Stadelman’s proposal, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be responsible for maintaining and promoting the program.

SPRINGFIELD–Children in foster care are some of the most vulnerable citizens in Illinois, placed through no fault of their own in difficult situations where their parents aren’t able to provide for them.

In Illinois alone, nearly 18,000 children are in foster care and too many receive less than ideal treatment. House Bill 3684, which was passed by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and signed into law today, looks to change that.  

Stadelman’s legislation creates the Foster Children’s Bill of Right, which provides certain guarantees for every child placed into a Department of Children and Family Services foster care program. These rights include freedom from abuse, a safe home and to adequate food and clothing.

“Too often, we hear about vulnerable foster children being abused or being forced to go without care for days at a time. I commend Governor Rauner for signing this legislation to ensure foster children in Illinois will have the right to a good home and adequate care,” said Stadelman.

Illinois will now join 15 other states that currently have a Foster Children Bill of Rights in place.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Bill 316, a proposal for a two-year freeze on property taxes, failed in the Illinois Senate today. State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) supported the legislation.

“Meaningful property tax relief is one of the most important issues to the Rockford area. Families and seniors who have lived in their homes their entire lives are being forced out of their neighborhoods because of skyrocketing taxes. It’s truly unfortunate my colleagues couldn’t support this legislation on behalf of middle-class families,” said Stadelman.

Because of the current school funding, a significant portion of property tax dollars go to local schools. Senate Bill 316 also included a provision to end the current formula. Many studies show it is the most inequitable in the country and disproportionately hurts communities without vast local resources. Under the current formula, Rockford area schools don’t receive their fair share of funding. The state would have two years to create a new formula.

“Illinois needs meaningful property tax relief and a more equitable solution to funding public schools. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fix these problems plaguing working families,” said Stadelman.