ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced today that his push to restore passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago is gaining speed now that the Illinois Department of Transportation has reached an agreement to hire a project manager.

“Passenger rail service to and from Chicago holds tremendous potential for economic growth and enhanced quality of life in the Rockford area," Stadelman said. "People across northern Illinois      are excited about the prospect of a rail link with Chicago, and I      think it’s important to keep everyone fully informed and to include      as much public input as possible."

Under the contract, WSP USA assumes responsibility for managing the project overall with the ability to hire other companies as subcontractors to complete the work. IDOT, meanwhile, has begun discussions with key stakeholders including host railroads Metra and Union Pacific to determine the necessary improvements to bring passenger rail back to Rockford.

"A strong passenger rail network is a cornerstone of our commitment to building and maintaining a safe, reliable multimodal system of transportation that serves all residents throughout our state,” Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said.

With the WSP USA agreement in place, preliminary engineering and environmental analysis are among the next steps before final design and construction. IDOT will negotiate construction and maintenance agreements with Union Pacific and Metra.

Stadelman secured $275 million in funding for the rail project as part of the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program. A spokesperson for IDOT said the project is fortunate to have avoided delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is encouraging small business owners across Rockford and nearby areas that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for the second round of Business Interruption Grants.

“Small businesses support thousands of families across the state, especially in communities like Rockford,” Stadelman said. “These businesses need this funding to stay afloat, and I’m thrilled to see the state is continuing to do everything possible to help our small business community.”

The second round of BIG funding builds on the more than $49 million in grants awarded statewide in August. The Rockford area received nearly $2 million in grants during the first round, which ranged from $10,000 to $20,000 to assist businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic.

The second round of grants is intended to provide relief for all types of small businesses, with a focus on businesses located downstate, including the Rockford area. They include $60 million for heavily distressed industries, such as movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, event spaces located at banquet halls and hotels, and more. $70 million has been set aside for disproportionately impacted communities that have been the most economically distressed and vulnerable to COVID-19.

“The first round of these grants are supporting dozens of businesses in my community,” Stadelman said. “This round will help ensure additional businesses are given the tools needed to navigate through the backend of this pandemic.”

To promote equity in the program, priority for grant funding will be given to small businesses with 50 employees or fewer, women and minority-owned businesses, underinsured or uninsured businesses, and inherently essential businesses – like grocery stores – in economically distressed areas. DCEO has created a list of impacted zip codes to help determine eligibility of project location, found here.

ROCKFORD - With Illinois continuing to face an unprecedented public health emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker, Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara and Dr. Lisa M. Bly-Jones, Executive Director of Workforce Connection today to discuss investments to expand job opportunities in the City of Rockford.

"The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting jobs and changing the skills employees need to do them,” Stadelman said. “To meet this challenge, state government and its partners need to step up to help ensure workers are equipped with the skills critical to our economic recovery.”

The Workforce Connection, located Rockford is set to receive a $626,700 national dislocated worker grant. Workforce Connection’s goal is to create a competitive, skilled, and educated workforce by providing people with employment in response to business needs. The grant will provide funding to a program that will help people get back to work, providing training programs and certifications for high demand jobs in the area.

“The Workforce Connection works every day to make sure people have job ready skills,” Stadelman said. “This grant will allow them to better provide individuals with the ability to re-enter the workforce immediately through on-the-job training programs.”

Employment Recovery grants temporarily expand capacity to serve dislocated workers in an area, to meet the increased demand for employment and training services following an event such as the major economic dislocations, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

For additional information visit theworkforceconnection.org.

ROCKFORD – With winter approaching, the Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for seasonal            snow-and-ice removal positions, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is encouraging qualified individuals to          apply.

“During the winter months, snowplows keep the people of Rockford safe,” Stadelman said. “I encourage anyone who has been seeking   a new job opportunity in these uncertain times to see if they qualify to be a driver for this season.”

Through the department’s annual “snowbird” program, snowplow drivers are temporarily hired full-time and on an on-call basis. To be considered, applicants must have a commercial driver’s license. A pre-employment physical, vision test, and drug and alcohol screening are also required.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. Stadelman strongly encourages veterans to apply.

“With plenty of snowfall each year, this is a great opportunity for individuals in a city like Rockford. We rely on these drivers to live our day-to-day lives,” Stadelman said.

For additional information, including positions and the application process in specific districts, details on pay and the potential for benefits, click here.