URBANA – Steve Stadelman is among 40 emerging leaders from throughout Illinois who have been chosen as 2014 Edgar Fellows in the third year of an initiative to stimulate cooperation across regional, political and ethnic lines and help the state face major challenges in the years ahead.

Stadelman, elected to the Illinois Senate in 2012, will join public officials from various levels of government, business executives and civic leaders for an intensive training program Aug. 3-7.

Experienced practitioners and scholars will engage the Edgar Fellows in study and discussion of major policy areas including health care and economic development; the 2014 Edgar Fellows will subsequently join the 2012 and 2013 alumni in periodic gatherings to further their education and build their professional networks.

The fellows program is designed and hosted by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Stadelman, a former TV news anchor and father of four, was selected from a highly competitive pool of 160 nominees.

"I'm honored to be part of such a distinguished group of new leaders and eager to put what I learn to work to improve Illinois," said Stadelman, D-Rockford. "I have always been a strong believer in working across the partisan aisle to find common sense solutions, and I'm not afraid to embrace compromise, even if compromise seems out of style as a way to govern."

The program, which takes place on the Urbana-Champaign campus, is funded primarily by private individuals, organizations and companies interested in promoting competent and well-motivated leadership in Illinois.

"In the first two years of our effort," Edgar said, "we have seen emerging leaders reflecting the state's political, regional and ethnic diversity form friendships and bonds that will serve Illinois well when it comes to addressing major challenges. I fully expect the 2014 Fellows also will realize they have much more in common than they might have thought while they gain a greater understanding of different perspectives."