Stadelman commends airport growth

State Senator Steve Stadelman joined Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and federal legislators in applauding the Rockford airport at a news conference this week for recent achievements that include the expansion of its international cargo terminal to accommodate 500 new e-commerce jobs with Amazon Prime Air.

"Without question, our airport is a major force in the local economy," said Stadelman, who earlier this year delivered almost $15 million in state funding toward construction of the airport's jet repair hangar. "I have no doubt R-F-D will continue to reach new heights for years to come."

RFD has been named the world's fastest-growing cargo airport among those handing more than 250 metric tons and ranked 19th largest nationwide with 2.1 billion pounds in cargo activity, a percent jump over the previous year. On the passenger side, two carriers now offer 10 nonstop travel destinations.

"None of this phenomenal growth would be possible without public-private, bipartisan and local, state and federal cooperation and support," Stadelman said.

Stadelman inserted into the state's current budget $14.7 million to make good on a pledge to help finance the jet repair hangar. The money had been promised by Gov. Pat Quinn but frozen by Bruce Rauner, forcing the airport to take a bridge loan from local banks to cover the gap. .Arrival of the state's share of the project in August saves the airport from interest charges of up to $100,000 a month.

Stadelman announces second Second Chances Summit

More than 200 sign up to receive free legal advice at one-day event

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced the approaching deadline to register for his second Second Chances Summit, which provides free legal assistance to people hoping to improve their lives by removing old offenses from their criminal records. More than 200 had signed up by the Monday cutoff, with some being replaced on a waiting list while efforts continue to recruit additional volunteer attorneys for the one-day event Nov. 1.

Lawyers licensed in Illinois can join the effort by visiting www.senatorstadelman.com and clicking on the dark red "volunteer" icon or by calling event partner Prairie State Legal Services at 815-965-2902.

Attorneys who volunteer to prepare petitions to expunge and seal eligible criminal records are helping summit-goers obtain higher-paying jobs, return to school or find better housing, Stadelman said during a news conference. Training for the event can be used to help satisfy continuing education requirements for Illinois lawyers, he said.

"State law allows people who meet certain criteria to ask a judge to erase or conceal the record of past transgressions, and we all prosper as a result,' Stadelman said. "Missteps from your youth shouldn't prevent you from adequately providing for yourself and your family for the rest of your life."

New as part of the 2019 summit is a presentation by Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, "Cannabis Clemency: Illinois' New Law Legalizing Marijuana." Many lower-level marijuana convictions can be removed from people's records after retail sales become legal in January 2020. Hite Ross' talk from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford is open to the general public; advance registration is not required.

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I love how middle school students say and ask whatever is on their minds! I had the opportunity to visit Lincoln School, take a tour with Student Ambassadors and speak with the newcomer bilingual students. Thanks Mustafa Abdall for the invite!

From the progressive income tax and independent political mapping to gambling expansion and legalizing marijuana, residents at Valkommen Plaza in Rockford asked some great questions yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Ald. Tuffy Quinonez for inviting to speak in his ward!

 Congratulations to Crusader Community Health on breaking ground on its new $13 million clinic and headquarters on the same West State Street campus where the nonprofit medical provider got its start almost 50 years ago!

Second summit to provide second chances for people with criminal records

People who are eligible to have criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case to go before a judge at State Senator Steve Stadelman's Second Chances Summit II from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

To sign up for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com or call 815-987-7557.
Registration, which opened after Labor Day, closes Oct. 7, Stadelman announced during a news conference today. Stadelman said that ever since the 2018 summit, when 130 individuals met one-on-one with volunteer attorneys, he has continually received requests to offer the one-day opportunity again.

Included as part of the summit this year is a presentation by Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, "Cannabis Clemency: Illinois' New Law Legalizing Marijuana." Many lower-level marijuana convictions can be removed from people's records after retail sales become legal in January 2020. Hite Ross' talk from noon to 12:45 p.m. is open to the general public; advance registration is not required.

“Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result.”

Stadelman was joined at the news conference by event partner Prairie State Legal Services. Wendy Crouch, pro-bono coordinator for the nonprofit agency, encouraged local attorneys to contribute their time and expertise. Prairie State provides event training that volunteer attorneys can be use toward the state's continuing education requirements for lawyers.

"Having a criminal record can have far-reaching impact, even restricting a parent’s ability to fully participate in their child’s life, Crouch said. “Prairie State Legal Services is excited to again partner with Senator Stadelman to help all those who are eligible to clear their records and move foward."

Interested attorneys can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.

Stadelman working to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs

State Senator Stadelman is pushing for approval of a measure to reduce the skyrocketing cost of insulin.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes and 7.4 million of require insulin every day to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association. Rapidly rising costs for the medication have have led many patients to ration their supply or seek care outside of the country.

Stadelman, whose son Nikolas is diabetic, was especially eager to co-sponsor Senate Bill 667 to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply. Now he's advocating for Illinois to become the second state in the nation after Colorado to limit the profits of insulin manufacturers.

"No one in Illinois should be forced to chose between filling an insulin prescription and buying groceries or making the rent payment," Stadelman said. "When people's lives are at stake, big drug companies should not be allowed to turn outrageous profits."

In 2017, Stadelman passed legislation to allow diabetics, asthmatics and others with chronic illnesses to obtain emergency refills of vital drugs if their prescription runs out when their doctor isn't available. Stadelman faced such a situation when Nikolas exhausted his insulin supply during a family vacation out of state. At the time, Nikolas, now a senior at Guilford High School, had only recently been diagosed.

SB 667, which could be called for a vote during fall veto session next month, has been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Pharmacists Association and AARP.

Second summit to provide second chances for people with criminal records

People who are eligible to have criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case to go before a judge at State Senator Steve Stadelman's Second Chances Summit II from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

To register for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com or call 815-987-7557.

Stadelman said that since the 2018 summit, when 130 individuals met one-on-one with volunteer lawyers, he has received numerous requests to again offer the one-day opportunity.

Included as part of the summit this year is a presentation by Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, "Cannabis Clemency: Illinois' New Law Legalizing Marijuana." Many lower-level marijuana convictions can be removed from people's records after retail sales become legal in January 2020. Hite Ross' talk from noon to 12:45 p.m. is open to the general public; advance registration is not required.

“Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result.”

Prairie State Legal Services provides event training that volunteer attorneys can be use toward the state's continuing education requirements. Local attorneys interested in donating their time can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.

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Another important marker in the rebirth of downtown Rockford was this afternoon's ribbon-cutting on the Indoor City Market -- made possible in part through state historic tax credits for projects that reclaim aging urban property like this extension of the popular outdoor City Market.

The Missing Person Table Ceremony at tonight's POW/MIA event at Loves Park City Hall. September 20th is national POW/MIA Recognition Day, an opportunity to honor the bravery of all former American prisoners of war while reaffirming our quest to locate the servicemen and women who remain missing in action. I was honored to present a Senate resolution recognizing this important ceremony.

HoopStars expands reach yet remains popular local event

 Senator Stadelman's HoopStars is still going strong. Labor Day marked the seven year for the free 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament, which has become an end-of-summer tradition for many families.

More than 250 players completed in boys and girls divisions in grades 3 to 8. Most of the young athletes were local, but the event this year drew players from as far away as Minneapolis and Miami.

Hundreds of parents, grandparents and siblings cheered from the sidelines at UW Health Sports Factory, our home since 2017 when HoopStars left outdoor courts at Davis Park.

"When we launched the competition in 2013, Labor Day was selected to help fill the void left by the loss of On The Waterfront," Stadelman said. "We continue to offer a positive, no-cost way for families to spend the holiday, and I remain most gratified by the diversity of the players and good-natured rivalry on the courts."

Winning teams left with championship medals, and every player took home a commemorative T-shirt produced by Rockford Art Deli. The event wouldn’t be possible without ongoing support of the Rockford Park District and generosity of ComEd, Comcast and Drive Right School of Driving.

HoopStars 2020 is schedule for Sept. 7!

New law expands insurance coverage of EpiPens for minors

Insurers will be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under a proposal supported by Senator Steve Stadelman and signed into law by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

"No child should face the dangerous consequences of being unable to arrest a serious allergic reaction simply because a family cannot afford the remedy," Stadelman said. "Allergies are on the rise, meaning more families depend on EpiPens."

Epinephrine injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen, deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

Haskell students say new playground rocks!

Senator Steve Stadelman joined students at Haskell Elementary School at recess last week to celebrate new playground equipment at the adjacent Terry Lee Wells Memorial Park.

Stadelman worked with Senator Dave Syverson to secure a $170,000 state grant to replace aging school playgrounds at Haskell and Lewis Lemon along with playgrounds on the grounds of the recently demolished Walker and White Swan elementary schools.

"It's fun and awesome, and it's big!" one of the Haskell students said during a video interview for Facebook.

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 Steve Stadelman

Thanks to organizers of this morning's 9/11 ceremony at the emergency responders memorial in Rockford. On the 18th anniversary, we mourn the lives that were lost. We cherish the lives that were saved. We thank our first responders. But most of all, we remember. Also, congratulations to Rock Valley College student Joseph Krein who is the 2019 recipient of the 9/11 Memorial Scholarship. Joseph wants to be a firefighter, like his Dad.