ROCKFORD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2021 Small Equipment Grant Program, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to share $26,000 in grant money is going to the Blackhawk Fire Protection District.

“I am happy to see additional funding go toward our fire departments,” Stadelman said. “The men and women that work hard to protect us from fires and other emergencies deserve to have the right tools for the job.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Their purpose is to allow eligible applicants to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to afford.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced Winnebago County will receive $1.2 million for bike path improvements.

“I am excited to see improvements in the Winnebago area to improve these great bike paths,” Stadelman said. “Many people go out and enjoy  their time biking or walking, and these improvements will ensure the paths are finished and safe.”

The investment will fund an extension of the Perryville Bike Path in Winnebago County. The project is part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In total, $105.6 million will fund 99 projects to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities across the state in this round of funding.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was proud to support a budget that prioritizes families, businesses and schools who faced heavy losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This budget puts Illinois on the road to recovery,” Stadelman said. “At a time when we're recovering from a historically devastating year, delivering a responsible budget that ensures the well-being of all Illinoisans was our most important duty, and I feel we've done that.”

The budget ensures Illinois will repay $3.2 billion in federal debts that arose out of the pandemic, a year ahead of schedule saving Illinois taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in interest payments in the process. The budget will also alleviate the state's backlog of bills in order for critical investments to be made to stimulate recovery.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to support mental health education in schools, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is sponsoring legislation that helps school leaders identify, understand, and respond to mental health problems school children may face.

“Educating students about their mental health early in life will benefit them in the long term," Stadelman said. “Many students will navigate difficult situations in a healthier way if schools are able to teach them and provide instruction on how to cope and respond with their mental health."

House Joint Resolution 1 urges Illinois schools to provide education for all students in grades 6 to 12 on how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses, as well as provide instruction on how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.