SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would allow pharmacists to tell consumers about less expensive options for prescription drugs was passed out of the Illinois Senate by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) Wednesday.

“A pharmacist should be able to tell you that $20 prescription could only cost you $8 if you pay by cash,” Stadelman said. “Needlessly charging Illinoisans more for their prescriptions by keeping them in the dark is not defensible.”

Senate Bill 1557 removes the so-called “gag rule” on pharmacists. The “gag rule” is usually a clause that is inserted into contracts by pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit druggists from telling patients they could save money on prescriptions by paying cash rather than using their health insurance, or using generic drugs.

“Unfortunately, your local neighborhood pharmacist can’t even tell you if there are cheaper alternatives available to you,” Stadelman added. “By freeing them up, we can hopefully save people some of their hard earned money.”

The legislation passed the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation was introduced that would require greater regional representation on the Illinois Tollway Board after none of the nine seats on the board were filled with members from Winnebago or Lake counties.

“Residents of counties serviced by the tollway ought to have someone on the board representing their interests,” State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “This bill guarantees that those very residents get that representation and aren’t forgotten.”

The Toll Highway includes 294 miles in five tollways that run through 12 counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, Whiteside and Lee.

“We have a law that says no more than five members of the tollway board may be from the same political party,” State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) said. “There should be a law that ensures geographic diversity on the board as well. Lake County is one of the largest financial contributors to the tollway. I think it's fair to demand a local voice for Lake County residents on the tollway board.”

Senate Bill 794 would require the governor to immediately appoint one member from Lake County and one member from either Winnebago, Boone or McHenry counties.

Stadelman seeks to stop motorists from watching videos while they drive

As smart phones get smarter and streaming speeds get faster, legislation intended to protect motorists from distracted drivers streaming videos while they drive was passed out of the Illinois Senate by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“A person driving 70 miles per hour who looks down at their phone for 5 seconds has traveled over 150 yards,” Stadelman said. “The amount of damage and danger you can cause in that distance is far too great for us to not do anything.”

Senate Bill 86 clarifies that drivers may not use electronic devices to stream videos while they are driving. While the current hands-free law is often looked at mostly as a ban on the use of cell phones, it also includes tablets, laptops, video games and pagers. The ability to do what was once confined to home life – such as watching TV – has become an anytime, anywhere pursuit. It's estimated more than half of all Americans watch video on their smartphones.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nine people are killed every day in the United States from distracted driving. Additionally, 37 percent of unsafe driving behavior monitored by the EverQuote’s EverDrive app was caused by phone use.

The measure passed the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House of Representatives.

State assists with flooding in Machesney Park
State Senator Steve Stadelman participated in news conference at Machesney Park Village Hall, where the Winnebago County Board Chairman and Sheriff declared a disaster emergency along the Rock River. "Some 200 homes in Machesney Park alone are impacted by flooding," Stadelman said. "Property owners along the river need to be aware and plan for potential evacuations." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker subsequently toured flooded parts of Winnebago and Stephenson counties, announcing the state already was providing 234,000 sandbags, 125 rolls of plastic, 16 pumps and Illinois Department of Corrections crews to fill sandbags.   

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Steve Stadelman

March 19 at 7:03 PM · 

It was great to introduce on the Senate floor the FIRST EVER Miss Winnebago County Fair Queen to be crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen! Alexi Bladel, of Rockford, talked about empowering women in agriculture through education and encouragement. Right now, she's studying Fire Science at Rock Valley College.

122 LikesGwen Kahl Lashock, Julia Steiner Halsted and 120 others

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122 LikesGwen Kahl Lashock, Julia Steiner Halsted and 120 others

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122Gwen Kahl Lashock, Julia Steiner Halsted and 120 others

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Bob Miller I like the way you do business Senator Steve. You keep it local. Your doing a good job!

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Heather Snedeker Bladel These are awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing!!!!

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• 122 LikesGwen Kahl Lashock, Julia Steiner Halsted and 120 others

Legislation seeks to stop people from watching videos while they drive

SPRINGFIELD – As smart phones get smarter and streaming speeds get faster, legislation intended to protect motorists from distracted drivers streaming videos while they drive was passed out of the Illinois Senate by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford).

“A person driving 70 miles per hour who looks down at their phone for 5 seconds has traveled over 150 yards,” Stadelman said. “The amount of damage and danger you can cause in that distance is far too great for us to not do anything.”

Senate Bill 86 clarifies that drivers may not use electronic devices to stream videos while they are driving. While the current hands-free law is often looked at mostly as a ban on the use of cell phones, it also includes tablets, laptops, video games and pagers. The ability to do what was once confined to home life – such as watching TV – has become an anytime, anywhere pursuit. It's estimated more than half of all Americans watch video on their smartphones.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nine people are killed every day in the United States from distracted driving. Additionally, 37 percent of unsafe driving behavior monitored by the EverQuote’s EverDrive app was caused by phone use.

The measure passed the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House of Representatives.