Stadelman encourages Winnebago County residents to be counted in the 2020 Census

ROCKFORD – With only weeks left before the U.S. Census Bureau finishes its counting efforts, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is stressing the importance of Winnebago County residents being counted by filling out the 2020 Census, which will protect their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is one of the primary tools the federal government uses to decide how much money will be given to the Rockford area,” Stadelman said. “Filling out the census has never been easier with the new online questionnaire option. It took me 10 minutes to fill out for my entire family.”

So far this year, Rockford’s self-response rate is down, currently only at 67.7%. As of August 28th, Winnebago County’s self-response rate is currently 73.7%. More than half of the county’s residents’ responses have been submitted online.

“If Rockford is undercounted, it will receive less money, less representation and less influence across the state and country,” Stadelman said. “It’s our job to make sure we’re all counted.”

Although online is the quickest way to fill out the questionnaire, there are three ways you can respond: online, by phone or by mail. Stadelman also pointed out that higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in-person. This year, census surveyors are putting the health of themselves and their families at risk from COVID-19.

If someone hasn’t filled out their census questionnaire yet, they can visit 2020census.gov, where they can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. You can see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation here.

Stadelman announces driver’s license extensions for Illinoisans 75 and older

ROCKFORD — In efforts to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable population and spare them a trip to the driver services facility, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is notifying drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“This was a good call by Secretary of State White. Extending the expiration date for older Illinoisans’ licenses was safest thing to do,” Stadelman said. “People who are 75 or older are especially vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, and they don’t need to be waiting in line in the heat and elements at driver services facilities.”

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Drivers who are eligible should receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof of their qualification.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility need wear a face mask. Additionally, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and should be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

Stadelman encourages drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

To find the closest driver services facility near you, visit cyberdriveillinois.com, click on the facility finder link, and enter your ZIP code in the search bar. 

Stadelman announces nearly $2 million in funding for Rockford infrastructure repairs

ROCKFORD – In an effort to spur economic development in the region, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that a $1.9 million grant has been awarded to the Rockford area for bridge and water main repairs.

Funding is supported by the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan and will be used to speed up public works projects and long-term infrastructure improvements in underserved communities around the state. The grants are being released as part of $24.8 million in funding from the Fast-Track Public Infrastructure Capital program, with $14.7 million for projects located in Opportunity Zones.

“I’m thrilled the City of Rockford was able to secure funding from this grant program to improve local bridges and water mains,” Stadelman said. “We have to keep our infrastructure in good repair to keep people safe.”

A $1.9 million investment from a Opportunity Zone grant will fund Rockford area bridge repair projects in its communities. The projects will include private matching funds that will support developments linked to affordable housing, community development, and real estate projects.

"Grants like these allow us to stretch our infrastructure budget farther in this difficult economic time and complete projects that greatly impact our residents,” said Mayor Thomas P. McNamara, City of Rockford.

Opportunity Zones are considered economically underserved areas in the community. More on the Opportunity Zones can be found HERE. 

Rockford small businesses to receive over $750,000 in pandemic relief grants

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting small business grants the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding to Rockford businesses and other small business communities across the state that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19-related losses and closures.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of my community and of our state,” Stadelman said. “They need this grant money to survive, and I’m proud that we are doing everything possible at the state level to help our small business community stay afloat.”

The grants are the first round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. The state program will award funds to businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a large portion of the grants being awarded to child care providers.

The first round of grants range from $10,000-$20,000 and can be used to help businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic, such as personal protective equipment, training, and new technology.

“This pandemic has hit smaller and minority owned businesses especially hard,” Stadelman said. “That’s why the program is ensuring that these businesses take priority when grants are being awarded.”

The first round of awards includes a diverse group of businesses and focuses on small businesses. Recipients are required to prove annual revenues of $3 million or lower.

A list of grant recipients can be found here.