Stadelman: $2 million in state funding 'builds on momentum' in Rockford's downtown
State Senator Steve Stadelman hailed this week's award of $2 million for streetscape improvements on Madison Street in Rockford, saying the state funding "builds on the momentum that has transformed downtown Rockford over more than two decades." The grant is part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas and accelerate local economic initiatives across the state. "The upgrades that will occur on Madison Street are another key piece in the steady evolution of downtown Rockford into a thriving entertainment, retail and residential district," Stadelman said. "The vitality of Rockford's downtown has a direct impact on the growth of the regional economy.
IDOT begins $3.9 million Springfield Avenue bridge replacement
The bridge that carries Springfield Avenue over the North Fork of Kent Creek in Rockford is scheduled to be closed until the end of November while the Illinois Department of Transportation works to replace the structure between Safford Road and Kilburn Avenue. Access to Anna Page Park will remain open, but trails that run underneath Springfield Avenue will be closed. A posted detour will direct traffic to use Auburn Street, Central Avenue and Kilburn. View area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
New fire station now operational in Machesney Park
Rather than a ribbon-cutting, North Park Fire Protection District held a "hose uncoupling" Thursday to celebrate completion of its new fire station on Harlem Road, which replaces three old stations from the 1950s and 1960s that were too small house modern firefighting equipment and that became poorly located as district boundaries changed over the decades. Senator Stadelman designated $50,000 in state funding to help pay construction costs.
$440,000 in state funds enroute to Rockford for job training: Stadelman
State Senator Steve Stadelman announced the release of $440,000 in state funds to help create pathways to good-paying jobs in construction and expand opportunities in the skilled trades in the Rockford area. Education Design Development and Research Corp. is receiving an Illinois Works grant to provide pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships to local students, opening the door for them to build lifelong careers in the construction trades.
“We are still experiencing a shortage of skilled trade workers,” Stadelman said this week. “To fill these positions and give residents a chance at a good-paying job, programs like Illinois Works are essential.”
To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state, click here.
ROCKFORD – Thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, two school districts in Stadelman’s district have secured grants to support student learning.
“When we invest in our libraries, we are investing in learning,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This funding helps libraries stay up-to-date with trends to ensure accessibility for all our students.”
In Stadelman’s district, the Belvidere School District was awarded $6,302 and the Rockford School District was awarded $21,904. The grants, awarded in the spring of every fiscal year, support school library services for Illinois students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Resources and services supported through the grants include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.
SPRINGFIELD – In 2023, instances of elder fraud cost victims over $3.4 billion, according to the FBI’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report. With more seniors falling victim to financial exploitation, State Senator Steve Stadelman has been working on strengthening protections to safeguard older adults and their financial savings.
“Fewer than 5% of elder financial abuse victims recover their lost savings,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Allowing financial professionals the ability to pause suspicious transactions can be a big safeguard, protecting seniors and their life savings while concerns are being looked into.”
Senate Bill 1551 would allow financial advisors and other similar qualified individuals to delay transactions and disbursements from a person’s account if they suspect elder financial exploitation. It also would require them to report to the Illinois Department on Aging and Secretary of State’s securities department when they have reasonable belief that elder financial abuse has occurred.
I am proud to serve as the State Senator from Illinois’ 34th Senate District. I hope you’ll find this site a useful resource in keeping up to date with what’s happening in our district and in Springfield. Please contact any of my offices with questions or ways I can better serve you.
It is my honor to represent you in Springfield.
Sincerely,
State Senator Steve Stadelman 34th Senate District
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Contact Info
Springfield Office: Senator 34th District 121B Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8022
District Office: State of Illinois Building 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301 Rockford, IL 61101 (815) 987-7557
ROCKFORD – Thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, two school districts in Stadelman’s district have secured grants to support student learning.
SPRINGFIELD – In 2023, instances of elder fraud cost victims over $3.4 billion, according to the FBI’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report. With more seniors falling victim to financial exploitation, State Senator Steve Stadelman has been working on strengthening protections to safeguard older adults and their financial savings.
