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.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“The governor laid out a number of proposals that are steps in the right direction. I’m happy to hear that he plans to move forward with ideas from both parties to reduce property taxes. I’m also looking forward to working with the governor on ethics reform that will help restore trust in state government.”

SPRINGFIELD – This morning, Governor Pritzker signed legislation that would cap out-of-pocket cost for prescription insulin copayments at $100 per month, regardless of the supply a patient needs.

Faced with life-threatening increases in the cost of prescription insulin, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), a co-sponsor of the legislation and father to a diabetic son, voted last November with fellow lawmakers to cap insulin copayments.

“I have seen the struggles people with diabetes face every day,” Stadelman said. “Diabetes is a lifelong affliction for those who have it. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families. Without adequate insurance, many people with diabetes can’t afford the insulin they need to survive.”

There are currently over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. An individual with Type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition that can begin at birth, will spend an average of $5,705 per year on insulin alone.

“This legislation will provide medical and financial relief to thousands in the Rockford area and across Illinois,” Stadelman said. “I’d like to thank the governor for his commitment to lowering insulin costs throughout the state.”

This legislation makes Illinois only the second state in the nation to cap prescription insulin co-payments, though the cap would only apply to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state.

Senate Bill 667, doesn’t go into effect until January 2021 to give insurance plans a sufficient amount of time to adjust their rates.