Second phase of U.S. Business 20 improvement project slated to start

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined Governor J.B. Pritzker at the Rockford Police Department this afternoon to celebrate a Rebuild Illinois project that will help revitalize Rockford’s west side.
The project is the second phase of a plan to improve U.S. Business 20/West State Street from Day Avenue to Independence Avenue. The first phase included reconstruction of West State from Independence Avenue to Kent Creek.

“The project already has provided economic growth and a higher quality of life to an area long in need of a boost, “said Stadelman, citing improvements that include the new District 1 police station and Crusader Community Health rebuilding its main campus in the same West State location. “I’m thankful the state of Illinois is in the position to continue its work helping redevelop an at-risk neighborhood and a gateway into Rockford’s resurgent downtown.”

Besides reconstruction and widening of West State from two to four lanes, the project’s second phase includes the addition of decorative lighting, a pedestrian and bicycle path and reconstruction of sidewalk ramps to make the area more accessible for individuals with limited mobility.

“The non-road improvements are critical components to securing the neighborhood’s future as a vibrant place where families want to live and where they prosper,” Stadelman said.

A stretch of West State from Meridian Road to Springfield Avenue also is set to be resurfaced, beginning in April and concluding by the end of this summer.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin

Stadelman encouraged by governor’s support for education and health care

State Senator Steve Stadelman cited JB Pritzker’s emphasis on education and health care as highlights of the governor's annual budget address last week.

“I’m pleased to see the governor is continuing his commitment to fund local education. Additional money for the state’s school funding formula will greatly benefit Rockford-area schools and its residents,” Stadelman said. “Over the last several years, the Rockford School District’s property tax rate dropped significantly thanks to the new formula.”

The proposed budget increases the evidence-based funding formula for K-12 schools by $350 million in addition to making investments in early childhood and higher education.

Stadelman also commended the governor’s proposal to invest more in health care for low-income and working families.

“This proposal also makes an important investment in Medicaid,” Stadelman said. “There are many in the Rockford area who rely on Medicaid to stay healthy, and health care is absolutely vital to our economy.”

Stadelman said that he’s looking forward to working with the governor on a new budget and building on last year’s success of passing a balanced, bi-partisan spending plan.

 Reform push shifts focus to criminal justice system

A joint legislative panel listened last week to witnesses reporting on the state of criminal justice reform in Illinois.

Members of two Senate committees and a House committee heard from experts with the Illinois Justice Project, ACLU-Illinois, Restore Justice, the Illinois Department of Corrections, multiple police departments and county state’s attorneys along with people directly affected by the criminal justice system in Illinois.

 The hearing centered on various criminal justice reform issues, including cash bail and victim protection.

 In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Congratulations to Charles "Chuck" Jefferson who now has a section of South Winnebago Street named in his honor -- right outside of the Booker Washington Center library, which also bears his name. Six years since he stepped down as the first African-American to represent Rockford in the Illinois General Assembly, Chuck continues to provide leadership at Booker!

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Stadelman pleased with governor’s commitment to funding education and health care in proposed budget

SPRINGFIELD – After Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address earlier Wednesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was pleased to hear the governor plans to continue his commitment to fund issues important to the Rockford area.

“I’m pleased to see the governor is continuing his commitment to fund local education. Additional money for the state’s school funding formula will greatly benefit Rockford-area schools and its residents,” Stadelman said. “Over the last several years, the Rockford School District’s property tax rate dropped significantly thanks to the new formula.”

The proposed budget increases the evidence-based funding formula for K-12 schools by $350 million, in addition to making investments in early childhood and higher education.

Stadelman was also appreciative that the governor’s proposal invested more in health care for low-income and working families.

“This proposal also makes an important investment in Medicaid,” Stadelman said. “There are many in the Rockford area that rely on Medicaid to stay healthy, and health care is absolutely vital to our economy.”

Stadelman said that he’s looking forward to working with the governor on a new budget and that we need to building on last year’s success of passing a balanced, bi-partisan spending plan.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin

Veto override saves local aviation jobs

Aviation jobs across Illinois, including those in Rockford, will be protected by legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman to reinstate a sales tax exemption on aircraft repair.

The loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs statewide was predicted if Illinois were to begin taxing equipment and parts used in aircraft maintenance. Most states offer an exemption for aircraft repair including neighboring Wisconsin, Missouri and Indiana.

When the exemption lapsed in Illinois five years ago, aviation repair companies unwittingly failed to start charging customers the tax and the state's Department of Revenue failed to catch the mistake. House Bill 3902, which became law last week after legislators in both chambers of the General Assembly overrode the governor's veto, forgives companies for the oversight and continues the exemption through 2025.

Stadelman argued in favor of Illinois maintaining a competitive edge and preserving skilled aviation jobs.

 Stadelman hears update on DNA evidence backlog

State Senator Steve Stadelman is encouraged to hear Illinois State Police have made some progress in recent months reducing its evidence-processing backlog, but he believes much more work is needed as families continue to wait far too long for justice.

That's Stadelman's asssement following a recent Illinois Senate Public Health Committee hearing, where he listened to victims reliving the trauma of their loved ones being murdered>

Latonya Moore, whose daughter Shantieya Smith, was slain in 2018 testified before the committee for her third time. “My daughter, to me, feel like a John Doe. She don’t even exist.” Moore sobbed. “If you was born in my same shoes, how would you feel? Because it feel like I’m reaching out and I’m not getting no help.”

ISP Director Brendan Kelly said additional forensic scientists have been hired and new technology has been employed to reduce the delay in processing rape and murder kits by 16 percent.

Stadelman opens office for voter registration Feb. 18

Deputy registrars will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, in State Senator Steve Stadelman's downtown Rockford office to register new voters for the Illinois primary election March 17.

To register, voters must be U.S. citizens with 30 days of residency at their voting address and must be 18 years of age before the November 3 general election. Qualified residents should bring two forms of identification, including one with a current address, to Stadelman's office in the Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301. A photo ID is not required.

"I believe we should make voting as accessible and inclusive as possible," Stadelman said, "so I'm making my office available for one day for anyone who wants to sit down with a trained, nonpartisan registrar."

February 18 is the last day voters can register to participate in March primary without visiting their local election authority or going online.

 In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Congratulations to RAMP on expansion and renovation of its 100-year-old office on Market Street in downtown Rockford. The agency has raised $1.1 million of the $1.5 million required for the project, including capital funds pledged by me and other state legislators representing the Rockford area. Tuesday was "Demo Day." RAMP expects to return to the space this fall.

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