Stadelman praises state grant of almost $1 million for hydropower project on Rock River

ROCKFORD -- A local company hoping to harness the Rock River to generate electrical power for homes is receiving nearly $1 million in state funding to help develop the project, State Senator Steve Stadelman confirmed today. If the initial demonstration product is successful, Rockford could become the hub for manufacture and sales of micro-hydro cycling systems.
"The test program being proposed for the Fordham Dam is just the type of clean energy development we had in mind when we approved the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act," Stadelman said. "Rockford has a proud manufacturing tradition, and being the base for production and sales of this technology will bring jobs and could lead to wider economic growth."

Latitude Power of Rockford in partnership with Studio GWA has been awarded a $914,330 grant through the Illinois Equitable Energy Future program. Latitude Principal Carl Cacciatore said the demonstration product would take 18 months to manufacture and install, including time to obtain approvals that may be required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The demonstration product would generate enough electricity to power five homes, Cacciatore said. Once proven, the technology at Fordham Dam would be expanded to generate up to 25 kilowatts an hour -- enough to supply electricity to at least 50 homes. Latitude would also need to reach an agreement with ComEd to direct the energy into its electricity grid and offer residential users a credit on their bills.

"There are all sorts of applications for this that will then spread out across the country," said Cacciatore, a retired program manager for what is now Collins Aerospace. "Rockford will be at the center of it all."

A conceptual design of the cycling system can be seen here.
Latitude's grant is among 27 being awarded statewide by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. DCEO also is opening a third round of applications for another $25.5 million in Equitable Energy Future grants, designed to benefit clean energy development in communities that have historically lacked access to capital.
Qualified entities can apply for grants from $250,000 to $1 million until 5 p.m. December 31. To view and apply for the grant, visit the DCEO website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for application assistance. 

Stadelman: Budget keeps moving Illinois, Rockford region forward

Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the below statement:

“We’ve delivered another balanced budget that addresses Illinois’ challenges head on, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I’m proud to support a budget that does not raise income or sales taxes, supports working men and women and boosts economic development in the Rockford-Belvidere area.”

Here’s how the Rockford region will benefit from the new spending plan:

• Increased funding for local K-12 schools. It’s important that every student in our community has access to a quality education and the resources they need to be successful.
• Major investments to local public transit, including funding for Chicago to Rockford passenger rail service, which is scheduled to begin in two years
• Provides Stellantis more flexibility to put a new vehicle product at the Belvidere Assembly plant, which has been idled for nearly two years.
• Provides funding for redevelopment efforts at the former Singer Mental Health Center.

“This budget is a product of careful considerations and negotiations that will continue to move our state and the Rockford region forward, while giving local residents the resources and support needed.”

Stadelman working to require more transparency in health care fees

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure out of the Senate that would require hospitals to be more explicit about the fees included in their services.

“There’s no reason to wait and disclose extra fees to patients after the care has already been provided,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We need these facilities to take more responsibility and inform patients of all costs and fees prior to any services.”

House Bill 1431 would require hospitals to develop a policy to inform patients they may be charged a facility fee, if applicable, for outpatient services separate from a professional fee. Facility fees are charges imposed by health care facilities for the use of their space, equipment and administrative services, whereas professional fees cover the cost of the professional providing the care. The lack of transparency between the two has made patients feel like they are being double charged for their visit.

“This measure is about transparency and fairness in our health care system,” said Stadelman. “With this requirement for hospitals, we are protecting Illinoisans from misleading billing practices.”

House Bill 1431 passed the Senate Wednesday.

Stadelman applauds almost $3 million in state funding for 'rails to trails' project in Boone County

BELVIDERE -- State Senator Steve Stadelman today praised the announcement of $2.7 million in state funding to replace five aging bridges that support the Long Prairie Trail as a "smart investment in something that's an important recreational asset but also an alternative transportation option in northern Illinois."

Long Prairie Trail is a rail-to-trail conversion, stretching 14.2 miles across 16 bridges, most of which are remnants of the old K&D Rail line and are in dire need of replacement. Five bridges that have outlived their useful lifespan, especially from a safety perspective, will be reconstructed for an estimated cost of $3 million. 

"Illinois is reversing decades of disinvestment, making communities more connected and providing more ways for people to travel from place to place," Stadelman said. "Long Prairie Trail connects several regional destinations and links to Stone Bridge Trail in Winnebago County, providing access to even more outdoor attractions -- Rock Cut State Park being prominent among them."

A total of $139.2 million in Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants are going to 66 projects statewide from 233 applications for $383 million in financial assistance. ITEP awards focus on projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian travel or otherwise enhance local transportation networks. The next call for ITEP-eligible projects is expected in 2026.

"Projects like Long Prairie Trail are the quality-of-life amenities people want when deciding where to buy homes and raise families," Stadelman said. "Whether people frequent Long Prairie Trail for exercise, leisure or as an alternative to driving a motor vehicle, it's a valuable asset that deserves to be maintained and deserves the state's support."

ITEP is part of Rebuild Illinois, legislation Stadelman supported in 2019 that commits a record $33.2 billion toward upgrades to the Illinois transportation system -- including $275 million to restore passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago with a stop in downtown Belvidere.