Stadelman legislation fighting illegal logging on conservation land signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals who own an interest in conservation or preservation land will be able to recover costs associated with damage done when someone illegally cuts down trees on the owner’s property thanks to legislation signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker today.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was the legislation’s sponsor.

“Preserving our state’s natural beauty for future generations is more important than some people think,” Stadelman said. “I’m glad I was able to partner with the Illinois Environmental Council to pass this legislation, which strengthens existing protections.”

The legislation passed both chambers unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Legislative update - July 8th, 2019

Governor signs bill authorizing Rockford casino and funding for passenger rail to Chicago

Gov. JB Pritzker today conducted a news conference in Rockford to tout legislation he signed Friday in Springfield that includes a Rockford casino and $275 million for restoring passenger rail from Rockford to Chicago as part of a $45 billion statewide construction program.

Pritzker commended State Senator Steve Stadelman for his diligence in negotiating the inclusion of train service between Rockford and Chicago in the "Rebuild Illinois" initiative, the state's first comprehensive plan for infrastructure investment in a decade. The governor also recognized Stadelman, State Senator Dave Syverson and State Rep. Maurice West for their roles in making sure Rockford was part of the mix in expanding gaming to include sports betting and six new casinos. He said it was important to "beat Beloit" and other border-state competitors to keep the money Illinois consumers spend on entertainment in Illinois.

Under Rebuild Illinois, the state not only will fix crumbling roads and bridges but also fund long overdue improvements on college campuses, including Rock Valley College, and make good on a $14.7 pledge toward construction of the jet repair facility at Chicago-Rockford International Airport, Pritzker said. The airport commitment, made late in the Quinn administration, was stalled for four years under Bruce Rauner -- as was a similar 2014 passenger rail initiative in which Stadelman had been a key player.  

Since the last construction plan in 2009, ratings groups have increasingly been raising red flags about the state of Illinois’ infrastructure, including AAA, which recently gave Illinois’ transportation infrastructure a D grade.

Pritzker said Rebuild Illinois will produce 500,000 new jobs statewide. Rockford's casino is expected to bring 600 construction and 1,000 permanent jobs along with as much as $8 million annually in municipal tax revenue.

Rockford Register Star Editorial

        

Stadelman measure combatting student credit card debt signed into law 

Key stakeholders will seek solutions for skyrocketing credit card debt faced by college students under legislation signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. House Bill 1581, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman, creates the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force.

The task force will include representatives from credit unions, banks and state universities and will study how credit cards are marketed to students, students’ payment history and several other related issues. The task force has until December 14, 2019 to submit its report to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 41 percent of students graduated with credit card debt averaging $3,000 in 2016.    

“Credit cards are needed in order to help young people build a credit score, but if misused can lead to a lifetime of debt,” Stadelman said. “Unfortunately, too many students are unaware of the interest rates they have signed up to pay.”

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman is with Thomas McNamara.

June 29 at 8:29 PM · 

Amazing turnout for Fred VanVleet's Welcome Home Party!

  

228 LikesSteve Booth, Gwen Kahl Lashock and 226 others

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Kathy Dawson This is awesome! Thanks Fred.

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Michele Dobbs Let’s continue to bring positive vibes and showcasing that dreams can come true as long as you do the work along with rising each other up!

Legislative update - July 1st, 2019

Stadelman-backed bill to crack down on human trafficking signed into law

A measure to fight human trafficking in Illinois by requiring more training on the issue and enacting stronger penalties has been signed into law by the governor.  State Senator Steve Stadelman voted in favor of the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which requires hotels and motels to train their employees on how to recognize human trafficking and how to alert authorities.

Hotels and motels have been shown to be popular locations for human trafficking. 

Senate Bill 1890, which took effect immediately, also requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to provide training for police officers to detect human trafficking and extends the statute of limitations for all offenses related to human trafficking to 25 years.

Stadelman commends governor for executive order to ensure full 2020 Census count

State Senator Steve Stadelman expressed his support this week for Gov. JB Pritzker's signing of an executive order that provides resources to ensure a full count in the upcoming 2020 Census.

The executive order, according to Stadelman, builds on a $29 million budget appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly by establishing a new Census Office within the Illinois Department of Human Services to administer grant funding and conduct outreach and education. Pritzker's order also creates a 12-member Census Advisory Panel that will advise the Census Office on how best to reach hard-to-count communities.

"The importance of an accurate and complete count cannot be understated," Stadelman said. "The census not only determines political representation but has a direct economic impact, and communities with high numbers of black and Latino residents are historically overlooked."

Illinois could lose up to two congressional seats and billions in federal dollars if there is an undercount. The 2020 Census officially begins on April 1, 2020. 

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman is with Bethany Fiedler.

16 hrs · 

Congratulations to the Rock Valley College women's softball team after winning its 6th straight NJCAA Division III national championship! We've seen back-to-back and 3-peat champions in the sports world. But 6 in a row?! ???????????? I was honored to present each player and coach with an Illinois Senate Certificate of Recognition during a celebration this afternoon.

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Steve Stadelman is with Jo Minor.

June 11 at 4:50 PM · 

It was my privilege today to present to Jo Minor and Claire McIntyre a Senate proclamation marking the 100th anniversary of Illinois ratifying the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. Illinois, along with Wisconsin and Michigan, were the first states in the nation to grant women suffrage.Congratulations to Jo for recently assuming the presidency of the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford from Claire and thank you to Claire for her service!

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Barbara Verni-Lau Yes! Thank you both for all the work you do on behalf of women! 
Thank you Sen Stadelman for recognizing their work!

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Rockford casino to become a reality with governor’s signature

SPRINGFIELD – A long sought-after casino will be coming to Rockford after legislation cosponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was signed into law today.

“After years of work, the casino for Rockford will finally become a reality,” Stadelman said. “Overall, Rockford will see a lot of improvements thanks to this capital infrastructure plan.”

Four pieces of legislation comprising a $45 billion capital infrastructure plan became law today. The plan includes funding for programs ranging from highways to passenger rail service.

Some projects for the Rockford area include:
•    $275 million for passenger rail service from Rockford to Chicago.
•    Funding for the new maintenance facility at Rockford Airport, saving the airport $90,000 a month.

Stadelman will welcome Gov. JB Pritzker to Rockford Monday to showcase the accomplishments.