Stadelman to host Utility Bill Workshop with Citizens Utility Board

Please join State Sen. Steve Stadelman and the Citizens Utility Board Tuesday, July 12, for a workshop that will give tips on getting your utility bills reduced.

Sen. Stadelman to host Community Senior Fair June 23

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at Terrace Senior Apartments in Rockford for a Community Senior Fair.

Stadelman reacts to Rauner statement on stop-gap budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman released the statement below following Gov. Rauner’s visit to Rockford to advocate on behalf of a temporary stop-gap budget:

“Despite his initial opposition to the idea, I am relieved that Gov. Rauner has changed his mind and now supports the stop-gap budget proposed by Illinois Senate Democrats last week. I look forward to working with the governor in a bipartisan manner that keeps state government operating and allows schools to open in August until a permanent resolution is found.

“I’m continuing to work toward an equitable education funding plan that will bring an additional $7 million to $10 million to our schools in Rockford. Failing to change the education funding formula will result in our school districts being forced to slash programs while drastically raising property taxes, a solution Rockford taxpayers cannot afford.

“There is much work to be done. I look forward to continuing to work together to reach a bipartisan solution that protects middle-class families.”

Stadelman proposal to create a 24-Hour Nurse Hotline Task Force passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a resolution Monday to create a task force to study creating a 24-hour nurse hotline, to give sick Illinoisans a second option to consider instead of immediately heading to the doctor.

The resolution was sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and passed unopposed with a vote of 51-0.

Stadelman was inspired to sponsor the legislation by the state of New Mexico, which created a 24-hour nurse hotline in 2006. As of 2015, nearly 1.5 million residents, or nearly 75 percent of state residents that are of legal age have called the hotline with health questions. Before the hotline was implemented, many of these callers were forced to go to the emergency room for minor medical treatment.

The nearly 15,000 calls the hotline receives every month takes a tremendous toll off of emergency rooms, and saves the state of New Mexico about $41 per call. Over time, these savings have added up – to the tune of about $68 million.

“Creating a 24-hour nurse hotline could be an innovative solution to keeping patients out of emergency rooms and cutting down the state’s medical costs,” Stadelman said. “In this difficult budgetary environment, we need to look at all of the options available to save taxpayers’ money.”

Stadelman’s resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 44, will now head to the Illinois House.