Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - April 4, 2025

New Stadelman-funded police technology results in drug arrest 

Rockford Police this week police arrested a man on cannabis charges this week after officers used their new StarChase technology -- recently acquired with funding secured by State Senator Steve Stadelman -- to track him down after he fled arrest.

Officers first tried to pull over the suspect on 16th Avenue in Rockford, but he ended up arrest him in the 2700 block of Hanson Street after deploying StarChase and a K-9 to locate him. StarChase allows officers to fire GPS "tags" at fleeing vehichles, so they can track them electronically instead of pursuing them in dangerous, high-speed chases.

Police recovered more than 345 grams of cannabis from the suspect. He was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, possession with intent to deliver cannabis and driving with a revoked license.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - March 28, 2025

Stadelman applauds RVC for investing in underserved area with new downtown campus

State Senator Steve Stadelman helped Rock Valley College break ground yesterday on its new Downtown West Campus. Expected to open in August 2026, the $52 million campus at 711 Green St. will be home to the college's adult and early childhood education programs and offer instruction in criminal justice, human services, truck driving and automotive technology, including e-vehicle and collision repair.

"I'm excited Rock Valley will have a major presence on downtown's west side," Stadelman said. "The new campus will focus on serving non-traditional students and adult learners, providing them with career opportunities and businesses with trained workers."

RVC has previously had a more limited presence downtown with classes in Stewart Square and the Rockford Register Star News Tower, currently being redeveloped by Iconic Energy.

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Stadelman works to reduce food waste

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois wastes close to 3.8 billion tons of food each year. In an effort to reduce the amount of food products we throw away, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working on new rules for product labeling.

“We are likely all guilty of throwing away food that seems fine but is past its expiration date,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “I want to ensure we are getting the most out of our food products, and I think this new measure I’m working on will help us get there.”

Senate Bill 2072 builds on legislation passed in 2023 that defined safety and quality dates and directed the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Health to publish information to encourage food manufacturers and retailers to voluntarily use these terms on food product labels.

The new legislation would require, rather than encourage, the Department of Agriculture to ensure food product labels contain quality dates and safety dates by July 1, 2027. A quality date specifies the date that food quality may begin to deteriorate but is still acceptable for consumption. A safety date specifies the date by which the food should be consumed or frozen.

“Quality dates and safety dates are clearer cut than sell by dates or best if used by dates,” said Stadelman. “We all know how much food goes to waste every day and we need to be taking action to try to reduce extra food waste.”

Senate Bill 2072 awaits Senate committee assignment.

Stadelman measure strengthens free press protections

SPRINGFIELD – Following an Illinois Supreme Court decision that weakened protections for journalists, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working to safeguard the rights of Illinoisans and news outlets to state their opinions in the media.

“This legislation is needed in order to protect media and what they do on a daily basis,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We need to stand up for free press and speech, and this measure shows our efforts to do so."

Senate Bill 1181 builds on existing law to ensure the Citizens Participation Act protects individuals and the press from lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate them, regardless of the motive behind the lawsuit. A Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) is a legal tactic used to silence or intimidate critics by burdening them with costly and time-consuming litigation, often targeting individuals or organizations who speak out on issues of public interest.

The Supreme Court ruled the state’s anti-SLAPP law did not protect media outlets or journalists. Stadelman’s legislation clarifies news organizations should be shielded from retaliatory lawsuits.

Senate Bill 1181 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last Wednesday.