ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below following the passing of former Congressman John Anderson.

“John Anderson was the true embodiment of a public servant. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he joined the Army and fought to protect our country during World War II.

“As a congressman and presidential candidate, he had a proven track record of being an independent, bipartisan voice for the Rockford community. Even after he retired from the public life, he continued to work toward bipartisan reforms to improve our election process.

“We could all learn a little from Congressman Anderson in this particularly partisan environment. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with his family during this difficult time.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Thousands of adults in Winnebago and Boone may get the chance to earn their high school diploma, thanks to legislation that was signed into law today.

The new law, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) in the Senate, effectively eliminates the existing law prohibiting school districts from awarding high school diplomas to anyone over the age of 21.

“A high school diploma is nearly essential in today’s world, but not everyone is able to complete high school in the same amount of time,” Stadelman said. “These programs will give people a second chance and help them obtain job skills. Everyone benefits in the end, because a trained workforce is good for economic development in our communities.”

Non-profit entities, including community colleges, will also be allowed to establish programs that can award high school diplomas to adult learners.

The law is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after voting to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1.

“Today I voted to uphold Senate Bill 1, legislation that is supported by Rockford area superintendents and education experts across the state."

The Senate has approved an override of Governor Rauner's amendatory veto that changed the bill and put school districts like Rockford and Harlem at risk of losing funding in the future.

The governor's veto would remove protections from the school funding formula that take into account a school district's ability to pay. Local districts like Rockford and Harlem are impacted by property tax caps and Tax Increment Finance Districts. That makes them look better funded than they actually are, hurting their ability to get state aid.

Plus in two years, under the Governor's veto, many local school districts which have declining enrollments would see less state aid even though their costs stay the same.

Senate Bill 1 provides an additional $5 million a year to Rockford schools. Yesterday, the Governor released a plan that claimed to increase state funding. However, he did that by taking money from a handful of school districts and redistributed it around the state.

We need a new school funding formula that helps poor children across the state and doesn't create winning and losing school districts. Senate Bill 1 benefits schools today, tomorrow and for years down the line. The governor cannot say the same about his plan.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, an evidence-based school funding reform measure.

“I am disappointed that the governor failed to sign legislation that would ensure schools open in the fall and work towards an equal education for all children.

This legislation brings $5 million to Rockford Public Schools and puts our state’s neediest districts on equal footing with the rest of the state.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fix our broken school funding formula.”