Funding for Rock Valley College renovation released

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced today that the Comptroller’s office is releasing the $9.2 million reimbursement grant for the construction of Classroom Building 1 at Rock Valley College.

In 2015, rehabilitation work on the classrooms was halted due to the budget stalemate. In 2016, Rock Valley College opted to restart the construction and pay for it with their own finances. The grant reimburses Rock Valley College for the cost of the completed work.

“The two-year budget impasse negatively impacted every community in our state by delaying payments for vital services and halting money for important capital projects, like this one at Rock Valley College,” Stadelman said. “I’m pleased the state is finally keeping its commitment to Rock Valley College as it continues to improve the learning environment for students and staff in the Rockford community.”

The renovation work included renovating approximately 61,000 square feet in classroom building 1, including upgrading plumbing, lighting and electrical work. It also includes funding for an approximately two-story 21,000 square foot addition.

The Comptroller’s office is expected to release the funds later today.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - June 25, 2018

130 attend Second Chances Summit; repeat event being planned for 2019

Two dozen volunteer attorneys provided free legal assistance to 130 people hoping to expunge or seal their criminal records, opening the door for them to obtain better jobs, find better places to live or go back to school. Interest in the first Second Chances Summit was so high that a second annual event is likely to occur next year.

More than 400 people initially signed up, and 150 completed the registration process by obtaining fingerprint background checks. Attorneys reviewed the results of those checks, discussed them with summit attendees and drafted the necessary documents to request judicial relief for those determined to be eligible under Illinois law. Eligibility depends on the type of offense and length of time without a subsequent charge.

"If you listened to the stories of any of the people who attended the summit, you quickly realize they are haunted for years or even decades by a past transgression that often wasn't a serious enough offense to even warrant jail time," State Senator Steve Stadelman said. "As a result, they've been underemployed and lack the financial resources to engage a lawyer. In extending a hand up to them, we are lifting our community as a whole."

In addition to the attorneys who gave up their Saturday and offered their services at no charge, several local law firms donated funds to offset the cost of fingerprinting. Summit attendees, who normally would have paid $50, obtained the Illinois State Police report for $20. During the summit at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford, attendees also could register to vote, apply for a library card and learn about employment opportunities and job retraining programs.

Stadelman organized the summit in partnership with Prairie State Legal Services, Rockford Public Library and United Way of Rock River Valley.
•    WTVO-17 broadcast
•    WIFR-23 broadcast
•    Rockford Register Star article

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equifax breach prompts Illinois to take action

Illinois consumers no longer will be forced to pay to freeze their credit reports so they can protect themselves against identity theft thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman. The law is a response to the massive Equifax data breach between May and July 2017. As many as 143 million Americans, including 5.4 million Illinois residents, may have been affected by the theft of private consumer information.

One way consumers can protect themselves from fraud is to freeze their credit reports.

During a freeze, no new credit may be issued under their name and Social Security number. Until now, credit reporting agencies had been allowed to charge Illinois consumers up to $10 each time they asked to freeze or unfreeze their reports. Under the new law, credit reporting agencies are barred from charging Illinois consumers to freeze their reports. The new law also helps consumers prevent or minimize damage to their credit by allowing them to place or lift a credit electronically or over the phone

In case you missed me on Facebook ...  

Steve Stadelman
June 15 at 2:28 PM ·
Played in the inaugural bi-state softball showdown between the Illinois and Missouri General Assemblies at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Even though I'm a die-hard Cubs fan, it was a thrill to play in the Cardinals ballpark. Unfortunately, we lost 7-4. Oh well, there's always next year.

 

 

Stadelman passes bipartisan budget that delivers Rockford airport grant, protects schools and prevents property tax increases

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined with both Republicans and Democrats to pass a fully balanced state budget.

“It’s great to see Republicans and Democrats working together to pass a bipartisan, balanced budget,” Stadelman said. “This is how state government should operate.”

Under the budget proposal, which passed the Illinois Senate today with a vote of 56-2, the state finally delivers on a grant promised to pay for the Rockford Airport a few years ago. While the airport is already built and paid for with private loans, the governor froze the grant from previous budgets.

School districts will also receive an additional $350 million. Due to last year’s historic school funding formula reforms needier school districts, including Rockford Public Schools and Harlem School District, will receive a significant increase. 

“This year’s budget furthers our commitment to fixing the broken school funding formula,” Stadelman said. “Rockford-area schools are a clear winner under this plan.”

This year’s budget also increases funding for local governments by $120 million.

“These additional dollars for local governments will prevent a property tax increase and layoffs of first responders,” Stadelman said.

The budget proposal will now head to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

Stadelman seeks to cut down student credit card debt

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) passed a proposal in the Illinois Senate to seek solutions for skyrocketing credit card debt faced by college students.

While credit cards can be useful for students to purchase school supplies and pay for tuition, students run the risk of running up significant balances that take years to pay down. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, in 2016 41 percent of students graduated with credit card debt averaging $3,000.

“Credit cards can be a useful tool for students to pay for necessary items and start building a credit history,” Stadelman said. “Unfortunately, too many students are unaware of the financial pitfalls of using credit cards irresponsibly.”

Stadelman’s proposal, House Bill 4710, creates the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force. The task force will be composed of representatives from credit unions, banks and state universities. The issues it will study include how credit cards are marketed to students, students’ payment history and several other related issues.

Stadelman’s proposal passed the Illinois Senate with a vote of 54-0. It has now passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly.