ROCKFORD – Schools in Rockford and Harlem will soon see a combined $100,000 in updates thanks to funding from the Illinois State Board of Education, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced Thursday.

“We are providing these schools with the necessary funds for improvements to their facilities that will allow them to better serve students,” Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “Improving buildings and investing in projects for our schools ensures we are always looking for ways to facilitate better learning environments for all students.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

ROCKFORD – Ray Wantz Memorial Playground will see over $300,000 in funding announced by State Senator Steve Stadelman in order to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month in Illinois.

“Investment into our parks is an investment to the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford) “Maintaining these public spaces gives residents greater abilities to enjoy and socialize while also encouraging everyone to get outside and get physically active.”

Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

SPRINGFIELD – To help service members who are transitioning from active duty to the workforce, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) championed a law to designate the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs as the primary assistance agency under the U.S. SkillBridge Program that helps employers find skilled workers.

“We are assisting former military residents with transitioning back into the workforce by creating a hub of resources for them to use,” Stadelman said. “Through IDVA, veterans will find assistance where they can find benefits as well, and work toward returning to a job that fulfils them.”

The program was recently suggested by the AAR Corp. to help transition veterans to jobs within similar fields and to assist with efforts in increasing the workforce at the Rockford Airport.

House Bill 5385 designates IDVA as the primary statewide assistance organization under the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, which matches service members who are transitioning from active duty with workforce development opportunities at participating employers.

ROCKFORD – To encourage students to continue their educational growth this summer State Senator Steve Stadelman has launched a Summer Reading Club for children and young people in Rockford.

“We put together an excellent opportunity for children and young students to continue to stay active with their education this summer,” Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “This program is aiming to help students create a habit of reading and prepare them for their next school year.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Stadelman’s office by Aug. 19. Everyone who completes the Summer Book Club will be invited to a pizza party hosted by Senator Stadelman.