Governor signs bill authorizing Rockford casino and funding for passenger rail to Chicago
Gov. JB Pritzker today conducted a news conference in Rockford to tout legislation he signed Friday in Springfield that includes a Rockford casino and $275 million for restoring passenger rail from Rockford to Chicago as part of a $45 billion statewide construction program.
Pritzker commended State Senator Steve Stadelman for his diligence in negotiating the inclusion of train service between Rockford and Chicago in the "Rebuild Illinois" initiative, the state's first comprehensive plan for infrastructure investment in a decade. The governor also recognized Stadelman, State Senator Dave Syverson and State Rep. Maurice West for their roles in making sure Rockford was part of the mix in expanding gaming to include sports betting and six new casinos. He said it was important to "beat Beloit" and other border-state competitors to keep the money Illinois consumers spend on entertainment in Illinois.
Under Rebuild Illinois, the state not only will fix crumbling roads and bridges but also fund long overdue improvements on college campuses, including Rock Valley College, and make good on a $14.7 pledge toward construction of the jet repair facility at Chicago-Rockford International Airport, Pritzker said. The airport commitment, made late in the Quinn administration, was stalled for four years under Bruce Rauner -- as was a similar 2014 passenger rail initiative in which Stadelman had been a key player.
Since the last construction plan in 2009, ratings groups have increasingly been raising red flags about the state of Illinois’ infrastructure, including AAA, which recently gave Illinois’ transportation infrastructure a D grade.
Pritzker said Rebuild Illinois will produce 500,000 new jobs statewide. Rockford's casino is expected to bring 600 construction and 1,000 permanent jobs along with as much as $8 million annually in municipal tax revenue.
Rockford Register Star Editorial
Stadelman measure combatting student credit card debt signed into law
Key stakeholders will seek solutions for skyrocketing credit card debt faced by college students under legislation signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. House Bill 1581, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman, creates the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force.
The task force will include representatives from credit unions, banks and state universities and will study how credit cards are marketed to students, students’ payment history and several other related issues. The task force has until December 14, 2019 to submit its report to the Illinois General Assembly.
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 41 percent of students graduated with credit card debt averaging $3,000 in 2016.
“Credit cards are needed in order to help young people build a credit score, but if misused can lead to a lifetime of debt,” Stadelman said. “Unfortunately, too many students are unaware of the interest rates they have signed up to pay.”
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Steve Stadelman is with Thomas McNamara.
Amazing turnout for Fred VanVleet's Welcome Home Party!
228 LikesSteve Booth, Gwen Kahl Lashock and 226 others
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Kathy Dawson This is awesome! Thanks Fred.
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Michele Dobbs Let’s continue to bring positive vibes and showcasing that dreams can come true as long as you do the work along with rising each other up!
