SPRINGFIELD – Earlier today in the Senate Public Health Committee, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted for legislation that would prevent children from having their lemonade stands shut down by overzealous local bureaucrats.

Senate Bill 3459 would eliminate any requirements, such as a license, permit, or fee, to sell lemonade or other non-alcoholic beverages for children.

Hayli Martinez, an 11-year-old Kankakee native who testified in support of the legislation, had her lemonade stand flagged by local officials and quickly shut down.

“My lemonade stand is a dream I shared with my grandma before she passed away. She always told me to make lemonade out of lemons, so I did,” Martinez said. “When my lemonade stand was shut down I became very upset. I asked myself why me? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Stadelman has a nearly identical bill, Senate Bill 3169.

“We should be encouraging our young entrepreneurs. The current law does nothing but discourage them,” Stadelman said. “I remember what it was like to be a kid in the summer, trying to find something to do. This legislation allows our youth to be creative and make a small profit at the same time.”

Stadelman is a chief co-sponsor of SB 3459, which passed committee and will now be reported to the Senate floor for full consideration.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined Governor J.B. Pritzker at the Rockford Police Department this afternoon to celebrate a Rebuild Illinois project that will help revitalize Rockford’s west side.
The project is the second phase of a plan to improve U.S. Business 20/West State Street from Day Avenue to Independence Avenue. The first phase included reconstruction of West State from Independence Avenue to Kent Creek.

“The project already has provided economic growth and a higher quality of life to an area long in need of a boost, “said Stadelman, citing improvements that include the new District 1 police station and Crusader Community Health rebuilding its main campus in the same West State location. “I’m thankful the state of Illinois is in the position to continue its work helping redevelop an at-risk neighborhood and a gateway into Rockford’s resurgent downtown.”

Besides reconstruction and widening of West State from two to four lanes, the project’s second phase includes the addition of decorative lighting, a pedestrian and bicycle path and reconstruction of sidewalk ramps to make the area more accessible for individuals with limited mobility.

“The non-road improvements are critical components to securing the neighborhood’s future as a vibrant place where families want to live and where they prosper,” Stadelman said.

A stretch of West State from Meridian Road to Springfield Avenue also is set to be resurfaced, beginning in April and concluding by the end of this summer.

SPRINGFIELD – After Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address earlier Wednesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was pleased to hear the governor plans to continue his commitment to fund issues important to the Rockford area.

“I’m pleased to see the governor is continuing his commitment to fund local education. Additional money for the state’s school funding formula will greatly benefit Rockford-area schools and its residents,” Stadelman said. “Over the last several years, the Rockford School District’s property tax rate dropped significantly thanks to the new formula.”

The proposed budget increases the evidence-based funding formula for K-12 schools by $350 million, in addition to making investments in early childhood and higher education.

Stadelman was also appreciative that the governor’s proposal invested more in health care for low-income and working families.

“This proposal also makes an important investment in Medicaid,” Stadelman said. “There are many in the Rockford area that rely on Medicaid to stay healthy, and health care is absolutely vital to our economy.”

Stadelman said that he’s looking forward to working with the governor on a new budget and that we need to building on last year’s success of passing a balanced, bi-partisan spending plan.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman recently announced that Harlem Unit District 122 has received the Illinois State Board of Education Property Tax Relief Grant.

“This is another positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the people of Loves Park and Machesney Park,” Stadelman said. “Property taxes have been – and continue to be – an important issue that needs to be further addressed in the Rockford area, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Harlem schools.”

The Property Tax Relief Grant gives school districts with high tax rates the opportunity to lower the property tax burden on local taxpayers with the state replacing a portion of foregone tax revenue with state funds.

The amount Harlem Unit District 122 is set to receive will be included in future calculations of the district.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.