SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois School and Campus Safety Grant Program awarded funding to Winnebago County schools and colleges to improve school safety and security. Local schools are set to receive more than $48,000 for the projects.

"This is an excellent opportunity to improve local schools and the safety of our children," Stadelman said. "The safety grants are possible because of the work we have done to ensure that students in K-12 deserve a safe learning environment just like those in higher education."

Earlier this year, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) sponsored a measure that allows the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to make grants for safety and security improvements to various public K-12 school districts and area vocation centers as well as colleges and universities.

ROCKFORD – Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman announced last week that he is directing $35,000 in state funding toward a new roof for the Nordlof Center, a dime-store-turned-theater donated to the Rockford Public Library less than two years ago.

Library trustees are considering two bids to replace the roof at the former New American Theater on North Main Street, which the library uses for cultural and arts programming, computer instruction and meeting rooms. The state funding, available under the Build Illinois capital development program, would cover at least half of the replacement cost.

"The library has a solid plan for fully utilizing this public asset, and it makes sense for the state to absorb half of this unforeseen roofing expense," said Stadelman, D-Rockford. "This grant protects the public and private investments that have been made in the building so far and allows the library to finish converting the space."

Private owner Richard Nordlof made several improvements before donating the building in late 2012. "As the longtime home of New American Theater," Stadelman said, "there's a lot of nostalgia and good will associated with this facility, and it remains a unique venue in an important downtown location."

SPRINGFIELD – Across Illinois, employers are looking to hire new workers, but a common refrain is that job applicants don't have the necessary skills to be hired. A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) aims to change that dynamic.

The measure, which passed the Senate today, would create a career and technical education incentive program for school districts if students complete technical training.

"In order to increase employment and economic development in Rockford and throughout Illinois, it's critical that we match employers with applicants who have the skills necessary for the job," Stadelman said. "This proposal makes it easier for students to gain valuable job training in sectors that are looking to hire people."

Under the proposed plan, the State Board of Education would identify industries in Illinois that face workforce shortages.

The school district would be eligible for a $1,000 grant for each student who successfully completes an industry-recognized certification program.

The grants would begin with the 2015-2016 school year.

The bill, SB 3033, passed the Senate and now moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the recent closing of Singer Mental Health facility, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is sponsoring a measure to make sure that the Rockford community would still receive sufficient mental health services.

"I felt we needed to make sure that the state is still providing adequate services to mental health patients in our community," Senator Stadelman said.

The proposal allows the state to use proceeds from the sale of closed facilities to fund mental health services in the area where the closed facility is located. This follows legislation passed last fall that could potentially put Singer Mental Health facility to new use and back on property tax rolls.

"This is the second key reform I have sponsored dealing with communities selling state facilities. Now, not only will areas be able to sell shuttered facilities, they can also use the proceeds to fund community-based care."

The measure, SB 822, passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now moves to the House for further consideration.