Second Chances Summit helps improve lives of Rockford area residents

Two dozen volunteer attorneys provided free legal assistance to 135 people hoping to expunge or seal their criminal records, opening the door for them to obtain better jobs, find better places to live or go back to school. Interest in second Second Chances Summit was so high that a third annual event is likely to occur next year.

Attorneys met one-on-one with summit attendees to reivew their criminal records and drafted the necessary documents to request judicial relief for those determined to be eligible under Illinois law. Eligibility depends on the type of offense and length of time without a subsequent charge.

"If you listened to the stories of any of the people who attended the summit, you quickly realize they are haunted for years or even decades by a past transgression that often wasn't a serious enough offense to even warrant jail time," State Senator Steve Stadelman said. "As a result, they've been underemployed and lack the financial resources to engage a lawyer. In extending a hand up to them, we are lifting our community as a whole."

During the summit at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford, attendees also could register to vote, apply for a library card and learn about employment opportunities and job retraining programs. In addition to the attorneys who donated a full day of their expertise at no no charge, several local law firms donated funds to offset costs associated with the event

Stadelman organized the summit in partnership with Prairie State Legal Services, Rockford Public Library and United Way of Rock River Valley.

Watch WTVO-17 news report

' Wellness Fair ' offers free health services for fifth year

From flu shots to reflexology demonstrations, an array of free local and state services are being brought together by State Senator Steve Stadelman in his annual event focusing on women's health.

Admission and parking are free for Senator Stadelman's Women's Wellness Fair from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 16, in Kresge Hall at Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. in downtown Rockford.

Services available at Senator Stadelman's Women's Wellness Fair include:

• Influenza, shingles and pneumonia immunizations
• Blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) testing
• Massage and reflexology demonstrations
• Enrollment in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program for uninsured women
• Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor registration
• Medicare and Medicaid advice
• Skincare consultations

Displays booths also will feature information on weight-loss support groups, essential oils, healing crystals and chakra stones.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and the harp and flute duo Emerald Wind will perform. Additional details are available at www.facebook.com/steve4womenshealth.

"Health care, especially for women, remains a central public policy concern," said Stadelman, who began the event in 2015. "I believe very strongly that a woman's ability to pay should never stand in the way of her receiving basic health care -- especially preventive care."

In case you missed me on Facebook ... 

Lo pasé muy bien (I had a good time) at the Dia De Los Muertos celebration! The money raised will be used to buy backpacks filled with essentials and given to the children in the DCFS Foster Care Program. Great to see Ricardo Montoya Picazo, who works in Cheri Bustos' office, and Mayor Thomas McNamara!

Second summit to provide second chances for people with criminal records

People who are eligible to have criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case to go before a judge at State Senator Steve Stadelman's Second Chances Summit II from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

To sign up for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com or call 815-987-7557.
Registration, which opened after Labor Day, closes Oct. 7, Stadelman announced during a news conference today. Stadelman said that ever since the 2018 summit, when 130 individuals met one-on-one with volunteer attorneys, he has continually received requests to offer the one-day opportunity again.

Included as part of the summit this year is a presentation by Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, "Cannabis Clemency: Illinois' New Law Legalizing Marijuana." Many lower-level marijuana convictions can be removed from people's records after retail sales become legal in January 2020. Hite Ross' talk from noon to 12:45 p.m. is open to the general public; advance registration is not required.

“Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result.”

Stadelman was joined at the news conference by event partner Prairie State Legal Services. Wendy Crouch, pro-bono coordinator for the nonprofit agency, encouraged local attorneys to contribute their time and expertise. Prairie State provides event training that volunteer attorneys can be use toward the state's continuing education requirements for lawyers.

"Having a criminal record can have far-reaching impact, even restricting a parent’s ability to fully participate in their child’s life, Crouch said. “Prairie State Legal Services is excited to again partner with Senator Stadelman to help all those who are eligible to clear their records and move foward."

Interested attorneys can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.

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.”

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman is with Thomas McNamara.

June 29 at 8:29 PM · 

Amazing turnout for Fred VanVleet's Welcome Home Party!

228 LikesSteve Booth, Gwen Kahl Lashock and 226 others

4 Comments18 Shares

Kathy Dawson This is awesome! Thanks Fred.

Hide or report this

• Like
• Reply
• 1d
• 

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!

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at an upcoming Women's Health Fair Sunday, November 15 from 1 - 4 p.m., at the YMCA Log Lodge. For more information, see the flier below.