ROCKFORD – Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Loves Park) along with the Citizens Utility Board is sponsoring an event where consumers can learn more about their options from reducing their gas, electric and landline telephone bills.

"Because of this winter's subzero temperatures citizens, have been hit with a combination of higher usage and higher rates for utilities," Stadelman said. "Since October, prices per unit have gone up from 39 cents to 51 cents for consumers. This event offers an opportunity to learn about all the options available to them."

The event will feature one-on-one analysis from CUB experts on gas, electric and landline phone bills, information on spotting billing errors and incentives designed to help people improve energy efficiency.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Zeke Giorgi Center. Register by calling Senator Stadelman's office at (815) 987-7557.

ROCKFORD– Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Loves Park) and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) are partnering to sponsor several Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) events.

"Figuring out how to pay for college can be an especially daunting task for prospective students," Stadelman said. "These events are a great opportunity for families to learn about all the financial aid available to them."

February 4, 2014: RPS FAFSA Completion Night at Guilford High School – 6:00pm – 7:30pm

February 5, 2014: RPS FAFSA Completion Night at Auburn High School – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

February 12, 2014: FAFSA Completion Night - Rock Valley College – Student Center – 6:00pm

February 19, 2014: RPS FAFSA Completion Night at East High School – 6:30pm – 8:00pm

February 27, 2014: RPS FAFSA Completion Night at Jefferson High School – 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Items to bring:

• Social Security number
• Photo ID
• All wage forms (W-2 forms, unemployment)
• Information about assets such as savings, stock options, bonds, 529 plans and other investments
• Property tax bill
• College expenses
• Dates of birth, including month, day and year
• Month and year of marriage, separation, or divorce
• Alien Registration number if you (student) are not a U.S. citizen
• Information for direct deposit

SPRINGFIELD – After listening to Gov. Pat Quinn's State of the State Address, Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Loves Park) felt encouraged by the governor's plan to help small businesses and spur economic growth.

"I have been focused on economic development in Rockford," Stadelman said. "I was pleased to hear the governor talk about things we can do right now to help create jobs, like lowering business fees and establishing a small business advocate."

Stadelman is hopeful Quinn will work diligently with the General Assembly to pass legislation that improves the economic climate in Illinois.

"I look forward to hearing what Governor Quinn has to say about funding new infrastructure projects throughout the state in his upcoming budget address," Stadelman said.

SPRINGFIELD -- The vacant Singer Mental Health Center on Rockford's northwest side could be put to new use and back on the tax rolls as a result of legislation introduced by Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman and approved recently.

Under the State Surplus Property Revitalization Tax Credit Act, closed state buildings could be transferred to units of local government for as little as $1, with tax credits available to investors who redevelop the properties.

To qualify, the state facilities must have closed within the past two years and employed at least 100 workers. Singer shut its doors in October 2012 as Illinois began a shift from state-run mental health facilities to community-based care.

"The legislation gives communities the ability to control their own destinies and relieves the state of the fiscal burden of maintaining shuttered buildings," said Stadelman, chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 341. "The incentives could spur new uses for the vacant facilities, create jobs, generate tax revenue and eliminate what in some cases have unfortunately become eyesores."

An article in the Rockford Register Star in August called attention to how rapidly overgrown the Singer campus at 4402 N. Main St. had become.

To obtain the tax credit, investors would be required to submit rehabilitation plans and expenditures to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for approval. Eligible projects would receive a tax credit of up to 30 percent of rehabilitation costs over $5,000, with projects that exceed $250,000 requiring an outside cost audit.

"If this legislation can give new life to once-productive places like Singer, that helps compensate for the loss of jobs, property deterioration and other hardships experienced in communities where the state has closed facilities," Stadelman said.