Sen. Stadelman to host Women's Wellness Fair

Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - November 20, 2018

Chicago Tribune speculates on renewed favor for passenger rail
Monday's edition of the Chicago Tribune quotes State Senator Steve Stadelman in an article speculating on the likelihood of passenger rail from Chicago to Rockford regaining steam now that Bruce Rauner has been voted out of the governor's office and following overwhelming support for train service in a local referendum.

"It's a popular idea in northern Illinois," Stadelman told the Tribune. " We have a new governor who talked about the importance of transportation infrastructure. I hope he's willing to take a look at the idea."

Stadelman was instrumental in obtaining funding to restore passenger service between Chicago and Rockford, but the project screeched to a halt when Rauner defeated Governor Pat Quinn in 2014. He emphasized in the Tribune column that resurrecting the project again would require both "political will and the financing."

Governor-Elect J.B. Pritzker remains committed to "working across the aisle" to approve a capital spending plan that could provide a source of rail funding, according to the Tribune, which also cited the success in Winnebago and Boone counties this month of a nonbinding referendum calling for passenger rail from Chicago to East Dubuque.

•    WIFR-23 News Report

Senate overturns Rauner vetoes in Week 1 of fall session
The Illinois Senate overrode the governor’s vetoes on several key measures last week, including an attempt to unfairly limit restitution for families of veterans who succumbed to a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak in a residential care facility in Quincy. The original legislation, which Rauner tried to block, removes a cap of $100,000 on payouts in civil litigation against the state veterans home.

Also overturned in the Senate was Rauner's rejection of Tobacco 21, which raises the age when people can purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21. Illinois joins six other states and 20 municipalities within Illinois in the effort to stop young adults from forming a deadly lifetime habit.

Senator Stadelman returns to Springfield after Thanksgiving weekend for the second and final week of the fall veto session.

Stadelman fields legislative pitches from government students

Stadelman fields legislative pitches from government students
Students in Nicole Frazer's government classes at Jefferson High School pitched to State Senator Steve Stadelman ideas for bills they want to see introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.

After hearing oral presentations, Stadelman sat down with student teams to review their proposals and offer feedback on topics including college affordability, environmental protection and gun safety. He also toured the school and met over lunch with student ambassadors for the College and Career Academies.

"During reflection at the end of the day, the students gave the experience a 10 out of 10 and look forward to a return visit," College and Career Readiness Coach Charles Kluzak said.

 

In case you missed me on Facebook:

 

 

 Steve Stadelman

I very much appreciate being recognized for public service at the African American Resource Center at Booker annual dinner last night!

 

 

 

Steve Stadelman is at Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum.

Congratulations to 20 graduates of the YouthBuild program! They overcame many challenges to improve their education and job skills. I was pleased to present them with Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Senate!

 

 Steve Stadelman

Mark your calendars for 1 - 4 pm SUN DEC 9!

Senators Syverson & Stadelman pass legislation to help fund mental health and substance abuse treatment

SPRINGFIELD– Winnebago County, along with other counties that pass public safety sales tax referendums in the future, may soon have added flexibility in how they use those funds, under bipartisan legislation passed in the Illinois Senate by State Senators Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford).

House Bill 4560 expands the “Special County Retailers’ Occupation Tax for Public Safety, Public Facilities, or Transportation” to allow counties to use proceeds from the tax to fund mental health and substance abuse services. The legislation clarifies that counties that have passed the special tax via referendum will be able to use the funds for mental health and substance abuse treatment in areas that affect crime.

"We know that the criminal justice system is impacted by mental health and substance abuse," said Syverson. "Mental health and substance abuse treatment can help reduce crime and increase public safety, so I think it is a natural fit to make sure local governments have the flexibility to use these funds to treat those issues."

"Mental health and substance abuse are among the most overlooked issues facing our state," said Stadelman. "This is a common-sense, bipartisan measure that gives local governments another tool in the toolbox to treat those struggling with these challenges.”
 
The Special County Retailers’ Occupation Tax for Public Safety, Public Facilities, or Transportation, as first created, is a tax that county boards may levee, if approved by a referendum, to be used exclusively for public safety, public facilities, or transportation purposes. The tax applies to what is considered to be tangible personal property at retail, but excluding property that is required to be titled or registered with the state.

The legislation passed unanimously through the Senate Revenue Committee on Wednesday and then was approved by the full chamber on Thursday.

“My hope is that this legislation will help treat many individuals who are currently falling through the cracks while enhancing public safety for everyone,” said Syverson.

“I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle to find solutions to the challenges facing our state,” said Stadelman.