ROCKFORD — As small business owners across Illinois are concerned about their financial situations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, State Senator Steve Stadelman highlighted new funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for small business development centers to help them get through this difficult time.

“Small businesses play an important role in our state, and investing in them is key to making sure the Illinois economy can get back on its feet,” Stadelman said. “Downstate communities do well when small businesses do well.”

A $7.3 million investment announced by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Wednesday will flow from the U.S. Small Business Administration to the Illinois Small Business Developmental Center program. The statewide program focuses on supporting Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs in starting, growing and maintaining their businesses.

The money will go toward additional resources for education, training and professional business advising to small businesses that have experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in gross receipts or customers, or a closure as a result of COVID-19.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has played an important role in connecting businesses with support resources and assistance programs designed to help keep them from shutting their doors permanently.

SPRINGFIELD – On Wednesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) returned to Springfield for the reconvening of the Illinois Senate after over two months of cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unusual circumstances that we passed a budget under cannot be overstated, Stadelman said. “We had to not only pass a responsible budget, but to also address the vast challenges the state has now been place under due to COVID-19.”

Stadelman highlighted the additional funding the state received under the federal CARES act.

The additional federal funding will be distributed to local governments, Business Interruption Grant program, rent and mortgage assistance and more.

“This budget addresses some of the most important challenges facing downstate communities like mine.” Stadelman said. “Health care workers and essential employees are on the frontline every day to ensure our safety and livelihood. They need assistance and they need it now. That is reflected in this budget.”

Stadelman also emphasized that the state has committed to holding the line for K-12 and higher education funding.

“As a state we need to make sure that we continue to maintain steady funding for our schools,” Stadelman said. “Districts have had to significantly adjust due to COVID-19. It was important that we showed our students and educators that they are a priority.”

Senate Bill 262 passed the Senate with a vote of 37-19-0.

“With the circumstances we were placed under, this is a responsible and most importantly a fair budget.”

SPRINGFIELD – With Illinois property taxpayers suffering, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted for legislation that will defer tax sales and gives counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

“Property taxes can be a significant financial burden for residents of communities like Rockford,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will provide much needed relief to ease the financial burden on our communities.”

The relief package gives county assessment officers the ability to approve homestead exemptions without 2020 applications for residents with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens who qualify for assessment freezes.

The exemption extensions are permitted if:

• The county board has previously declared a local disaster related to COVID-19;
• The owner of the property as of Jan. 1, 2020 is the same owner as of Jan. 1, 2019;
• The applicant for the 2019 taxable year has not yet asked for the exemption to be removed for the 2019 or 2020 taxable year;
• The exemption for the 2019 taxable year has not been determined to be an erroneous exemption.

County assessment officers are still permitted to conduct audits of taxpayers claiming an exemption in order to verify the applicant is eligible to receive the senior citizen’s assessment freeze through the homestead exemption.

The measure also defers tax sales and gives the county the authority to waive property tax interest penalties.

Senate Bill 685 passed the Senate unanimously with a vote of 56-0 and now goes to the governor for his approval.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to announce the Illinois secretary of state’s announcement of the opening of a drive-vehicle registration facility in Rockford, beginning Tuesday.

“I’d like to thank the Secretary of State for including Rockford in the first stage of his reopening plan,” Stadelman said. “Access to facilities like the DMV are a necessary part of moving forward and getting back to some semblance of normal, everyday life.”

The facility will only be offering drive-thru services for vehicle registration sticker transactions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the opening of the facility is the first step of a reopening plan that will be announced in the coming days. The plan will include guidance on how to properly protect customers and employees.

“My commitment is to do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents, while providing services to the people of Illinois,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “This first step in a reopening plan adheres to this commitment.”

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