SPRINGFIELD – Those without health insurance could receive information on available state health insurance with a check of a box thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that passed through the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“This change will allow many without health insurance to obtain information on available state health insurance options that they may not have known existed,” Stadelman said. “Knowing your available options is the first step for many people to get covered and it’s as simple as checking a box on a form.”

House Bill 5142 would establish a health insurance “easy enrollment” program by including a checkbox on all Illinois income tax forms that taxpayers may check to request more information on available health insurance options and prices.

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SPRINGFIELD – To help service members who are transitioning from active duty to the workforce, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) passed a measure to designate the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs as the primary assistance agency under the U.S. SkillBridge Program that helps employers find skilled workers.

“We need to assist our military members in returning to the workforce and centralize the resources available to veterans,” Stadelman said. “By using this designation, veterans can find their benefits the same place they find job placement assistance and continue working and serving their community.”

Currently, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs refers veterans seeking employment assistance to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. House Bill 5385 would designate IDVA as the primary statewide assistance organization under the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, which matches service members who are transitioning from active duty with workforce development opportunities at participating employers.

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ROCKFORD – The Back 2 Business program has awarded more than $3.4 million in funding to several local businesses in Rockford thanks to advocacy from State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford).

“Businesses need our support, and this grant money will continue the efforts into helping businesses make a full recovery and get back on their feet,” Stadelman said. “The assistance from the Back 2 Business program has provided meaningful help and funds that keep our communities afloat and I am happy to see Rockford businesses receiving this assistance.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

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ROCKFORD – Daylight Saving Time is this weekend, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joins the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal in reminding residents to check their fire, smoke and CO alarms as they change their clocks this weekend.

“It only takes a few minutes to replace a smoke alarm or put in some new batteries, and doing this can prevent people from facing a loss from a fire,” Stadelman said. “This is a good chance to change your clocks and check your monitoring equipment around the house to ensure that you and your family are safe and will be warned of danger.”

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal suggests using the time changes as a bi-annual reminder to test all alarms in the home. If an alarm is not working, it should be replaced immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm.

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