Rockford Literacy Council set to receive over $70,000 in adult literacy grants

ROCKFORD – To provide Rockford area residents with an opportunity to improve important life skills, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced that the Literacy Council in Rockford will receive more than $70,000 in grants from the secretary of state’s office to help adult learners develop reading, English-language and others skills.

“Giving adults the ability to learn new skills not only provides them with new opportunities. It enhances the community they live in as well,” Stadelman said. “Everyone, no matter their age, should be given the chance to improve their skills and better themselves.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the secretary of state’s office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

“I encourage Rockford-area residents to give back to their community and volunteer for this great program,” Stadelman said.

The Literacy Council in Rockford is set to receive a total of $70,690.

Those interested in volunteering should contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.

Stadelman asks victims of fraud to come forward, help bring scammers to justice

ROCKFORD – To provide assurance to residents that are concerned about potential identity theft after recent claims of fraudulent unemployment cards, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is asking Rockford residents who believe they’ve been a victim to file a report with Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

“During this time of so much uncertainty, it’s sad that people are being taken advantage of,” Stadelman said. “If you believe you’ve been a victim of this scam, you can help other Illinoisans by filing a report with IDES. We need to hold these scammers accountable.”

Recent reports have shown Illinoisans have been receiving KeyBank debit cards and unemployment letters in the mail, despite never applying for benefits. According to IDES, individuals who received these mailings may be targets of fraud.

After receiving these reports, IDES launched an investigation into a national fraud scheme targeting claimants to the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. IDES said unclear federal guidelines quickly developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, making claimants vulnerable to these scams. IDES also said this scheme is not associated to the PUA program issue experienced in May.

IDES employees are now working with people whose identities have possibly been stolen. The department is also working with local and federal law authorities to track down and prosecute those committing fraud.

Individuals who have received debit cards in the mail without applying for benefits should call IDES immediately at 1-800-814-0513 to report identity theft. Do not activate the debit card.

Victims of fraud are also encouraged to check their credit reports for possible suspicious activity, post a fraud alert and visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for helpful tips on recognizing and reporting identity theft.

Stadelman announces over $30 million in improvements to U.S. 20

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is announcing that the Rockford area is set to receive over $30 million for improvements to U.S. Route 20 this year as part of the state’s ongoing multi-year construction plan.

“With the current state of the economy, I’m pleased to see another multi-million-dollar project coming to the Rockford area,” Stadelman said. “This construction will create new, good-paying jobs while making much-needed updates to our roads and bridges.”

The improvements to U.S. 20 include reconstruction, rehabilitation and initial construction of pavement across nearly 11 miles of roadway. The project also involves repairs to the bridge over 11th Street and intersection upgrades and new lanes along Business 20 (State Street) in Rockford.

“As the state’s economy continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, these jobs will play a critical role in helping working families get back on their feet,” Stadelman said.

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s plan will invest $21.3 billion to improve the state’s infrastructure over the next six years. Project included in the program were selected based on objective criteria, such as pavement conditions, traffic volumes, and crash history. It will create thousands of job opportunities for residents across the state.

The Rockford area is estimated receive over $10 million in additional spending for other local projects.

IDOT’s complete Multi-Year Plan can be found on its website.

Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin

Stadelman announces $10 million grant for Rockford airport

Chicago Rockford International Airport will receive $10 million in improvements as a result of a commitment by the Illinois Department of Transportation to participate in the expansion, State Senator Steve Stadelman has announced.

“Rockford’s position as a transportation hub is one of my top priorities," said Stadelman, who also worked to include passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago in the state's new construction plan.

The airport's $10 million includes $9 million from the federal government, $500,000 from the state and a $500,000 local match. The money will be spent on apron construction.

Stadelman said the funding packing "will allow the airport to continue its path as one of the fastest growing cargo airports in the world.” IDOT's matching contribution project maximizes a funding opportunity through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and accelerates construction.
“This money will increase capacity at the airport as it continues to grow its air cargo business,” Stadelman said. “Investing $10 million dollars in the Rockford community will help create jobs and boost our local and state economies.”

Illinois' aviation system consists of more than 825 landing facilities including commercial, reliever and general aviation airports, private landing areas and hospital heliports. IDOT helps oversee development of any public air navigation facility, administering federal funds and annually managing between 100 and 120 grants totaling approximately $250 million.

Stadelman pushes Rockford area to forefront of state broadband expansion

Rockford and Winnebago County will receive state and private funding to expand broadband internet to under-served residents as part of the state’s Illinois Connected Communities Grant Program. State Senator Steve Stadelman, who helped create the program, was pleased to see Rockford benefit from the first round of grants.

“One thing we’ve all learned during the pandemic is that access to broadband internet is a necessity,” Stadelman said. “Without reliable internet access, children can’t participate in e-learning, you can’t work from home and you can’t easily access important services provided by the government and private companies.”

A dozen community and local government partners each will receive $150,000 to develop plans to ensure access to local high-speed broadband. The state grants will be paired with $150,000 in philanthropic matching funds.

Together, these investments will establish the groundwork for Connect Illinois, a $400 million broadband expansion program authorized by the General Assembly. Stadelman supported House Bill 62, which created the broadband program with the goal of providing every Illinois resident with at least basic internet access by 2024.

“Internet access has become a basic utility, like electricity, water or telephone service,” Stadelman said. “Whether you live in an urban neighborhood or country town, you can’t fully participate in today’s economy without the internet.”

First-round grant recipients include the Region 1 Planning Council, a regional government agency representing northern Illinois including Rockford and Winnebago County.

Stadelman announces additional funding for Rockford youth employment

State Senator Steve Stadelman was joined by Governor JB Pritzker to announce the expansion of the COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, creating additional employment opportunities for under-served youth in the Rockford area.

“This extremely important program gives youth an opportunity to connect with each other and gain work experience to prepare them for future careers,” Stadelman said. “For low-income youth in particular, this initiative can help level the playing field and afford them an opportunity they may have not otherwise had.”

Under the program, the Rockford Park District is receiving $500,000 to hire 100 youth between June and August 2020 in age-, ability- and experience-appropriate work-based learning opportunities at Lockwood Park, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens and five public golf courses.

“It’s great to see the impact our summer youth program is making here in Rockford,” Pritzker said. “Providing the start of careers and learning essential skills is a whole new level of impact for our youth.”

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Great to see Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton back in Rockford recognizing Rockford Art Deli. She featured the downtown store in the #WeAreIllinois campaign for raising $100,000 in T-shirt sales to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. #Shoplocal!

Jarrod Hennis "We had over 400 local businesses apart of the program selling over 10,000 shirts."