ROCKFORD – The Harlem Hills Nature Preserve has received a grant to support stewardship and enhance natural green spaces thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“This is a direct investment into our community that will make it a more vibrant place to live,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford).

The goal of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grant program is to increase the delivery of much needed stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Stewardship needs at natural areas throughout Illinois have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations and government agencies. The grant program is designed to fund projects that address this deficiency through grants that will expand their staff and equipment for these activities.

ROCKFORD – Making low emission and hybrid vehicles the priority for the state’s transportation systems, State Senator Steve Stadelman is announcing the Rockford Mass Transit District will receive approximately $6.3 million dollars for new electric busses.

“Relying on fossil fuels for all our needs is becoming a thing of the past, and we want to take a stance for the future through transportation needs that fit our economy and show that we are dedicated to take the steps to reducing our negative impact on the planet,” said Stadelman (D-Chicago).

The Federal Transit Administration FY22 Low- and N-Emission Bus and Bus Facilities programs will provide $1.66 billion in grants to transit agencies to invest in bus fleets and facilities. Funded projects will use zero-emissions technology, which reduces air pollution and helps meet net-zero emissions by 2050.

ROCKFORD – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced over $83 million in road and bridge improvement projects coming to the area over the next six years.

“This is an investment into our communities that ensures Illinois has the best roads and means of travel for our residents,” State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “This investment will provide funding for many projects throughout the community that will spur job growth.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Stadelman represents will see 34 infrastructure projects totaling more than $83 million over the next six years.

ROCKFORD -- State Senator Steve Stadelman announced today that more than $5 million in state funding is headed to downtown Rockford to help restore the historic Times Theater and reconstruct Madison Street from the City Market Pavilion to Prairie Street Brewhouse.

“The ongoing redevelopment of downtown Rockford is important to the economic growth of the entire region, and this funding focuses on another two key assets in the mix of critical public and private projects over the last 20-plus years," Stadelman said of the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Capital Grant awards.

GT Partners LLC, a subsidiary of  Rockford-based Joseph James Partners, will use its $3 million Main Street award toward a $15 million restoration of the long vacant Times, built in 1938. Plans are to host live performances and films for audiences of 600 to 900, filling a mid-size gap between the landmark Coronado Performing Arts Center and the Nordlof Center stages north and south of the Times, respectively, on Main Street.