Senator expands free 3-on-3 youth basketball tourney outdoors

ROCKFORD – Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman is taking his free 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament outdoors and moving the competition to Labor Day in hopes of beginning its transformation to a large, Gus Macker-style event.

Boys and girls in third through eighth grades will compete on courts at Davis Park, with the first games tipping off immediately after the Labor Day parade, Stadelman announced at a news conference today. The outdoor location and switch from Saturday of Labor Day weekend to the Monday holiday allows Senator Stadelman's HoopStars to grow in its second year; more than 125 players took part in 2013 on indoor courts at Patriot's Gateway Center.

"We're taking HoopStars to the streets in 2014 – not literally, but in the spirit of Gus Macker," said Stadelman, referring to the popular adult 3-on-3 tournament that took place in the streets of downtown Rockford for many years.

"The tournament's goal," he said, "remains the same -- to provide a positive, no-cost activity for our youth, particularly those from low-income families and inner-city neighborhoods. Senator Stadelman's HoopStars is about the love of the game and kids having a ball."

Stadelman said the downtown expansion is made possible by new partnerships with the Rockford Park District and Rockford United Labor, which organizes an annual picnic for union members at Davis Park following the Labor Day parade. Families attending the basketball tournament can enjoy live music and kids' rides at no charge as guests of the labor group. ComEd and Comcast are returning as financial sponsors, and both will operate interactive educational booths during the tournament.

All players will receive free commemorative T-shirts; trophies or medals also will be awarded. Teams of four can register online at: 1) www.senatorstadelmanhoopstars.eventbrite.com; 2) Stadelman's office in the Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301, Rockford; or 3) participating community centers.

ROCKFORD – Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman has invited experts from the Citizens Utility Board to conduct a free clinic where local consumers can learn ways to reduce their gas, electric and landline telephone bills.

"Even though we have experienced a mild summer so far, many citizens are still recovering from steep heating bills that resulted from last winter's long stretch of subzero temperatures and higher utility rates," said Stadelman, D-Rockford. "This workshop offers a chance to learn about all the cost-savings options that are available."

CUB advisors will offer one-on-one analysis of gas, electric and landline phone bills, information on spotting billing errors and incentives designed to help people improve energy efficiency.

UTILITY BILL CLINIC

• When: 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11
• Where: Zeke Giorgi Center - Lower Level Atrium, 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford
• Call to register: Senator Stadelman's office at (815) 987-7557

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."

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement on the expansion of Amtrak service to Rockford:

"Getting Amtrak service back on track has been a priority for me since I've taken office. Many people have worked to bring us where we are today," Stadelman said. "I am excited to be part of the final push to make Amtrak service a reality. For too long, the Rockford community's needs were ignored. No longer. Our growing, vibrant city boasts tremendous transportation opportunities and the addition of passenger rail service to and from Chicago enhances the amenities our community needs."

Governor Pat Quinn announced a $223 million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015.

After two years of discussion, the state of Illinois has decided to switch to a new route, utilizing tracks owned by Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad.

The new northern route was chosen after lengthy negotiations with the Canadian National Railway, whose tracks were originally chosen for the service. Switching to the new tracks will ensure that service begins in 2015 and isn't held up by continued delays.