Stadelman celebrates $2.2 million awarded to local grocery stores

ROCKFORD – To address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures, State Senator Steve Stadelman joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing over $2.2 million in grants for District 34 stores.

“Preventing grocery store closures is the key to reducing food insecurity, promoting healthy living and maintaining vibrant, self-sustaining communities,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Everyone deserves access to fresh, high-quality food.”

The New Stores in Food Deserts and Equipment Upgrades programs support the establishment of new grocery stores in USDA-defined food deserts and preserve access to fresh food in communities at risk of becoming food-insecure. Grants will fund construction, renovation and first-year operational costs for new stores, and will support existing grocery stores in securing energy-efficient equipment upgrades.

Read more …

$85,000 awarded to district literacy program with Stadelman support

• Secretary of State
• In the District
• Literacy
• YWCA

ROCKFORD – The YWCA of Northwestern Illinois has been awarded an $85,000 grant to enhance their adult volunteer literacy program thanks to support from State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“The YWCA does great work to make writing and ESL classes accessible to adults in Rockford,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “I am pleased that their work is being recognized and rewarded with this grant money so they can continue to provide these important services.”

Since 1985, the YWCA Literacy Council has advocated for literacy awareness and services in the Rockford region. The organization provides classes and tutoring programs to improve English language comprehension, reading, writing, and English as a second language skills. The classes are available to all Rockford adults not enrolled in school for free. 

Read more …

Stadelman applauds over $156,000 in transportation research funding coming to Rockford

• Rockford
• Transportation
• Research projects

ROCKFORD – To enhance much-needed transportation improvements, State Senator Steve Stadelman joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in announcing funds for 20 organizations to support their planning and developing efforts, including over $156,000 for Rockford’s developmental  projects.

“Investing in transportation research studies allows Rockford to continue to grow economically,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “It is necessary before breaking ground on transportation projects that will benefit our region in the long run.”

Administered by IDOT using $7.5 million in federal funds, the grants are designed to advance the objectives of the agency’s Long-Range Transportation Plan. Among the criteria considered were projects that implement asset-management strategies and performance-based planning and programming, as well as activities that grow and support economically distressed areas.

Read more …

Nearly 30 local nonprofits receive more than $1.6 million in Stadelman-designated funds

• Rockford
• Nonprofits

ROCKFORD -- Work will begin next month on new exhibit and community meeting space inside a restored barn, carriage and stables at Heritage Park Museum Campus as a result of $50,000 being awarded through State Senator Steve Stadelman to fund the project's first phase. It's part of $1.64 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funds that are being or recently have been released to 28 local nonprofits designed by Stadelman to receive state grants.

Stadelman formed a partnership with United Way of the Rock River Valley to allow Rebuild Illinois funds he designated for local nonprofit organizations to be awarded more quickly and to ease the grant application and reporting process for the smaller nonprofits. Of the $1.64 total, $895,000 already has been released to nonprofits for completed infrastructure projects with another $745,000 being distributed to projects that are under way or pending.

"I cannot thank United Way enough for its help in accessing and distributing these much-needed infrastructure dollars to so many deserving nonprofits that fulfill an array of vital needs," Stadelman said during a news conference on the museum campus today . "We are fortunate to have a diverse nonprofit network in our community -- but brick and mortar work is challenging to finance for businesses and families, especially in the post-pandemic era, and our nonprofits are no different."

Read more …