Welcome to Senator Steve Stadelman Legislative Website

Stadelman secures nearly $500,000 for Northern Illinois libraries

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman announced six public libraries and school districts across Northern Illinois are set to receive nearly $500,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.

“Our libraries are more than places to borrow books – they are trusted community resources that connect people with education, technology and opportunities to succeed,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Supporting our libraries means investing in stronger neighborhoods, informed residents and a brighter future for communities across Illinois.”

More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

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Stadelman laws strengthen ticket buyer protections

• Consumer Protections
• HB 4984
• SB 318
• Online Ticket Sales

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman to protect consumers and promote a fairer, more transparent ticket resale marketplace were signed into law Thursday, banning the practice of speculative ticket sales in Illinois and helping ensure fairer access to event tickets by cracking down on automated bots and deceptive online resale practices.

“When consumers purchase a ticket, they should have confidence that the seller actually possesses it and can deliver it,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “House Bill 4984 protects fans from deceptive practices, promotes transparency in the resale marketplace and helps ensure Illinois consumers are treated fairly.”

Stadelman’s House Bill 4984 targets speculative ticketing, a practice in which brokers list tickets they do not yet own, often before tickets have even gone on sale to the public. Because brokers are betting they will be able to obtain tickets later, speculative listings can create a false sense of scarcity that drives up prices for tickets that sellers ultimately cannot provide, leaving fans without valid admission to the events they paid to attend. The new law prohibits ticket resellers from selling, listing or advertising tickets unless they have actual or constructive possession of the tickets at the time they are offered for sale.

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Stadelman: Budget delivers relief to taxpayers, students and working families

• Budget
• Stadelman
• FY27

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman supports the Fiscal Year 2027 spending plan, which provides critical support for Illinois families, students and communities, while easing the financial burden on residents.

“This budget invests in our schools and students while helping families make ends meet,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “By strengthening education and funding, providing property tax relief and supporting food security programs, we’re helping ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

The plan continues the state’s commitment to protect residents from additional financial strain by temporarily pausing the scheduled automatic increase on the gas tax. It also includes a back-to-school sales tax holiday, providing a multi-day suspension of state sales tax on eligible school supplies to help families save as students prepare for the new school year. Additionally, the budget maintains funding for local governments, providing municipalities with resources needed to deliver essential public services, maintain infrastructure and support local economic development.

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Senate passes Stadelman measure to protect renters from broker fees

• Stadelman
• SB 329
• HB 4377
• Housing

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman passed legislation belonging to a comprehensive housing package through the Senate that includes multiple consumer provisions. One key provision protects renters from unfair housing costs by prohibiting landlords from requiring tenants to pay broker and leasing agent fees for services hired by the property owner.

“Finding a place to live is expensive enough without being charged for services you never asked for,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “If a landlord hires a broker to market a property and manage the leasing process, that cost should remain with the landlord – not be added to a renter’s bill.”

Broker and leasing agent fees are common in the rental housing market to compensate agents for marketing properties, showing units, screening applicants and facilitating lease agreements. These fees are often structured as either flat fees or percentages of annual rent and can add thousands of dollars to the cost of securing housing. In many cases, landlords hire brokers to manage rental transactions but require prospective tenants to pay the broker’s commission in addition to application and screening fees.

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