Week in Review - Nov. 3

Veterans can get "quick certification" for special driver's licenses at Stadelman event

Military veterans who wish to obtain Illinois driver's licenses that note their service in the armed forces may obtain the necessary paperwork at a Veterans Day event offered by State Senator Steve Stadelman and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Coffee and donuts are being served at the Veterans Day Quick Certification from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, in the Zeke Giorgi Center Lobby, 200 S. Wyman St.

To receive a driver's license with "VETERAN" appearing below the signature line, veterans must present official certification of their military status when renewing their license or applying for a state ID. Under legislation passed by Stadelman in 2015, veterans who present a driver's license with the designation qualify for discounts on purchases at participating businesses. The designation is also available on state identifications cards.

"Veterans can avoid the delay of a mail application or a trip to the Illinois National Guard Armory in Machesney Park," Stadelman said. "Providing this convenience is a small way to honor vets, especially those who live in or near downtown Rockford and tend to have a harder time accessing services."

Two state Veteran Service Officers, Matthew Taylor and Jessica Parker, will certify proper documentation of military service -- DD Form 214 or NA Form 13038. Veterans, especially reservists who need additional paperwork, are advised to review documentation requirements online at www.Illinois.gov/veterans before attending the event, although assistance in obtaining necessary paperwork will be available on site.

Senate reaffirms support for students, workers
The Illinois Senate rejected several gubernatorial vetoes last week, reaffirming their support for college students, collective bargaining and entrepreneurs.

Senator Steve Stadelman voted in favor of all three overrides:
•    Collective Bargaining Freedom Act to protects worker rights by blocking Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign to create municipal right-to-work zones that favor corporate profits over worker interests.
 
•    The entrepreneur learner’s permit program, a pilot initiative to encourage business growth by reimbursing first-time business owners in information services, biotechnology and green technology for some costs of state licensing and permits. In an amendatory veto, the governor removed a spending cap and expanded the program to all industries, which Stadelman and others believe would turn a smart business development into a potentially wasteful program.
•    Student Loan Bill of Rights , a measure that will help to protect college students from predatory lenders when they borrow money to pay for their education.
The Senate returns to Springfield  next week  for the second half of the fall veto session.

Citizens Utility Board advises TV consumers on viewing options in the Internet Age
Pay-TV consumers received tips for making their cable bills more affordable and learned the pros and cons of market alternatives like satellite and web streaming at a free presentation led by an expert from the Citizens Utility Board. Senator Steve Stadelman invites CUB to work one-on-one with utility customers to lower their bills at twice-yearly clinics; this week's event marked the first time CUB has offered advice on television costs to Rockford-area consumers. Those who missed the presentation can order copies of "CUB's Guide to Cutting Your TV Costs" online.

Week in Review - Oct. 20

'Wellness fair' offers array of free services for women

Women can obtain referrals for free mammograms and screenings for cervical cancer, free vaccinations for influenza, pneumonia and shingles, blood pressure readings, Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations and more at a Women's Wellness Fair organized by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

Other services available at no charge include blood-glucose, cholesterol and HIV testing, depression and anxiety screenings, massage demonstrations and skincare consultations. Medicare enrollment advisers and weight-loss support groups also will be on hand.

Harp and flute duo Emerald Wind will perform; Rockford Roasting Company, E-Z Dinners and Dragon Popcorn will provide refreshments. Admission and parking are free for the event from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, November 12, in Kresge Hall at Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. in Rockford.

"Health care, especially for women, remains a central public policy concern," said Stadelman, who began the annual event in 2015. "I believe very strongly that a woman's ability to pay should never stand in the way of her receiving basic health care -- especially preventive care."

Stadelman backs two laws to increase early detection of breast cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and State Senator Steve Stadelman has been working to reduce breast cancer in Illinois by supporting legislation that removes barriers to early detection and advanced medical care.

Stadelman supported a measure this year to require insurance companies to cover an MRI if a patient is diagnosed with dense breast tissue. Studies show that dense breast tissue can be up to six times more likely to develop cancer. An MRI can find an additional 8 percent of breast cancers that go undetected by mammograms and ultrasounds.
The measure became law and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Stadelman also support legislation that since mid-2016 has required insurance companies to cover 3D mammograms. The technology, also known as tomosynthesis, takes a multidimensional view of the breast during a screening, rather than a single-dimension view. As a result, 3D mammography more accurately screens for breast cancer than standard mammography.
Nationally, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. It's the second leading cause of cancer death in women. According to a study by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 26 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Illinois every day

New Stadelman law could help Rockford-area adults earn high school diplomas

SPRINGFIELD – Thousands of adults in Winnebago and Boone may get the chance to earn their high school diploma, thanks to legislation that was signed into law today.

The new law, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) in the Senate, effectively eliminates the existing law prohibiting school districts from awarding high school diplomas to anyone over the age of 21.

“A high school diploma is nearly essential in today’s world, but not everyone is able to complete high school in the same amount of time,” Stadelman said. “These programs will give people a second chance and help them obtain job skills. Everyone benefits in the end, because a trained workforce is good for economic development in our communities.”

Non-profit entities, including community colleges, will also be allowed to establish programs that can award high school diplomas to adult learners.

The law is effective immediately.

Stadelman: Senate Bill 1 ensures long-term stability for Rockford schools

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after voting to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1.

“Today I voted to uphold Senate Bill 1, legislation that is supported by Rockford area superintendents and education experts across the state."

The Senate has approved an override of Governor Rauner's amendatory veto that changed the bill and put school districts like Rockford and Harlem at risk of losing funding in the future.

The governor's veto would remove protections from the school funding formula that take into account a school district's ability to pay. Local districts like Rockford and Harlem are impacted by property tax caps and Tax Increment Finance Districts. That makes them look better funded than they actually are, hurting their ability to get state aid.

Plus in two years, under the Governor's veto, many local school districts which have declining enrollments would see less state aid even though their costs stay the same.

Senate Bill 1 provides an additional $5 million a year to Rockford schools. Yesterday, the Governor released a plan that claimed to increase state funding. However, he did that by taking money from a handful of school districts and redistributed it around the state.

We need a new school funding formula that helps poor children across the state and doesn't create winning and losing school districts. Senate Bill 1 benefits schools today, tomorrow and for years down the line. The governor cannot say the same about his plan.”