SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 2059, which will provide funding for Rock Valley College, in addition to MAP grants and four-year universities.

“It is encouraging that after months of unproductive partisan rhetoric, the governor, legislative leaders and lawmakers were able to come together to find a solution to allow Rock Valley College to avoid further layoffs.

“This proposal is far from perfect, but it is finally a good first step at providing much-needed stability for our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 2059, which provides funding for MAP grants, community colleges and state universities.

“This proposal is a meaningful start at a compromise budget. It is not perfect, but it allows universities and community colleges like Rock Valley College to keep their doors open while the governor and legislative leaders continue to work toward an agreement.”

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at Terrace Senior Apartments in Rockford for a Senior Fraud Seminar with the Attorney General's office.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced legislation through the Senate today that will require law enforcement officials to accept cash to post bail. Stadelman’s proposal is Senate Bill 2252.

The idea was brought to him by Rockford-area resident Kevin Lunsford, whose minor son was arrested for a traffic offense last year.  When Lunsford arrived at the Winnebago County Juvenile Center to bail out his son, the credit card machine was broken and the center has a policy to refuse to take cash.

Because of a technology malfunction, Lunsford’s son was forced to sit in the juvenile center the entire weekend – significantly longer than the law requires, paid for by taxpayer dollars.

“No one should be forced to spend extra time in custody because of a technology malfunction or a refusal to take cash,” Stadelman said. “I look forward to continuing to work with area residents to advance proposals brought to my attention by my constituents.”  

Stadelman’s legislation passed the Senate with a vote of 56-0-0  and will now head to the Illinois House.