State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) presented a bill to the Senate judiciary committee that will allow domestic violence victims to continue using their cell phone plans after separating from their abusers.

“Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult, and there are many roadblocks you might not think about unless you’ve been in that situation,” Stadelman said. “Anything we can do to make it easier to leave is a positive step.”

The measure requires wireless providers to transfer the right to continue to use phone numbers on an account the victim shares with the abuser. Similar legislation was recently enacted in California, Missouri and Wisconsin.

SB 57 passed unanimously in committee and will move to the Senate for consideration.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted today for a measure that will authorize a new casino in Rockford. The measure, part of the Senate’s grand bargain, passed 31-26.  

“I’m tired of seeing buses of Rockford residents going to casinos in Wisconsin and Iowa,” Stadelman said. “Those entertainment dollars should be spent in Illinois to help pay for our schools, roads and other improvement projects.”

In addition to Rockford, the legislation authorizes new casinos in Chicago, Lake County, South Suburban Chicago, Danville and unincorporated Williamson County.

Stadelman supported similar gambling expansion plans in 2012 and 2013, which were approved by lawmakers but vetoed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 budget address.

“I appreciate that Governor Rauner acknowledged the bipartisan effort of my colleagues in the Senate and our work on a budget deal. I am, however, disappointed that the he did not fulfill his constitutional duty to propose a balanced budget.

“Illinois has been greatly hurt by the unprecedented budget impasse. With funding now stopped for services for our most vulnerable citizens, it is more urgent than ever that we end this stalemate.

“In the Senate, I look forward to continuing to work toward a negotiated, bipartisan budget for the first time in over two years.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 budget address.

“I appreciate the governor’s acknowledgement that the Senate has taken the lead in working toward a bipartisan budget compromise, which also contains many of the reforms he has called for in the past.

“However, weeks after state funding ended for higher education and services for our most vulnerable citizens, the governor once again failed to lay out his own plan to address the two-year budget impasse.

“In the Senate, I look forward to continuing to work toward a negotiated, bipartisan budget for the first time in over two years.”