CHICAGO – Standing beside State Treasurer Michael Frerichs at a news conference on Tuesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman advocated for legislation he's sponsoring that would provide Illinois families greater flexibility in paying for college and planning for retirement.

Senate Bill 3133 would allow parents with 529 college savings plans to invest unused or leftover college funds into a retirement account. The proposal not only maximizes the benefits of the college savings plan but also fosters long-term financial security for future generations, according to Stadelman.

“Many families are worried about having unused or leftover funds in 529 accounts and not knowing what their options are,” Stadelman said. “By alleviating concerns about unintended taxation and maximizing the money’s value, we can provide greater security and stability for parents who are planning for their family’s future.”

ROCKFORD – The Cherry Valley Police Department’s command center has received $250,000 for upgrades, thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“Investing in the renovation of the Cherry Valley Police Department’s command center is an investment in the safety and security of our community,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Equipping our local first responders with the necessary resources to effectively address any situation is paramount to ensuring public safety.”

A squad room in the Cherry Valley Police Department will be turned into a unified command center for use in cases where law enforcement and emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions are called to help.

SPRINGFIELD – In a step toward greater transparency in political communication, State Senator Steve Stadelman has introduced legislation aimed at mandating disclosure on political materials generated by artificial intelligence.

“In an era where AI-generated content is increasingly prevalent, it is imperative that people have full disclosure regarding the origin of the ads they see,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Transparency is fundamental to the democratic process.”

Senate Bill 2762 would require political ads to clearly disclose if they are AI-generated. According to the Brennan Center, the use of AI in political communications leads to challenges such as misleading people and amplifying ongoing issues of election misinformation.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman has announced that the popular Stroll on State festival in Rockford has received a $100,000 grant to improve and expand the event.

“Festivals bring people together and foster a sense of community,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This funding will go a long way to ensure that all visitors of the holiday festival receive a magical experience.”

A total of $4.6 million was awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to local tourism organizations throughout the state to a total of 20 grantees – including Stroll on State.