BELVIDERE -- State Senator Steve Stadelman expressed optimism Saturday after Stellantis and the United Auto Workers came to terms on a new contact that awaits union approval.

"I'm excited by today's UAW announcement of a labor deal that will reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant to begin manufacturing a new truck product and expand operations to include a new battery plant," Stadelman said. "This is what I've been working with state and local leaders toward for two years -- securing the plant's future and saving the thousands of jobs that support families across Boone and Winnebago counties."

Stadelman sponsored and passed in 2021 the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois Act in 2021, a historic stimulus package offering tax credits and other incentives to attract manufacturers of electric vehicles, batteries and other EV components and parts. More recent efforts included the creation of a $400 million Large Business Attraction Fund to empower Illinois to become a global magnet for EV technology.

Read more on the Stellantis plant reopening here.

ROCKFORD – Continuing assistance for community development in Rockford, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced today that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is providing $146,000 in grants to improve a bike path in Rockford.

“The improvements to the Sports Core Recreation Path across Rockford will increase community engagement and activity, as well as provide a safer route for cyclists to travel,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford).

Over $2.1 million was awarded by IDNR through the latest round of the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to help local units of government in the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public off-road, non-motorized bicycle paths and related facilities, such as a drinking water and restrooms.

The proposed project in Rockford will replace the one-mile-long Sports Core Recreation Path to improve access for maintenance. Removing and replacing the path will allow it to be repaired with appropriate drainage. Four bridges will be treated for rust removal, prolonging their life and allowing the paths to remain open.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that Rockford will receive $125,000 through the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program to support affordable housing and revitalization efforts in the community.

“These funds are important for Rockford development and will go a long way to improving our area,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This funding goes directly to the local Rockford government so they can invest in improving properties around the city that need care and attention.”

 The Illinois Housing Development Authority approved $19 million for the Strong Communities Program, an initiative providing funding to 68 local governments for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition of abandoned residential properties across the state. The program aims to return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use through rehabilitation.

 “With this funding, we are bringing more investment opportunities for families, businesses and organizations to call the Rockford area home,” Stadelman said. “We need strong community backbones of infrastructure and commerce in order for our communities to prosper, and I will continue to support Illinois’ efforts to revitalize and invest in our community.”

ROCKFORD – Fulfilling the evidence-based funding commitment for Illinois schools, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that school districts in the 34^th District will receive over $5 million additional dollars to help address the financial challenges schools have faced.

“Illinois students deserve the best educational opportunities and with the evidence-based funding formula we are ensuring our schools have the tools they need,” said Stadelman (D-Chicago). “I am glad we have made it a priority to fund schools across Illinois to ensure that more educational opportunities are available to students.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula include:

• Belvidere Community Unit School District 100: $2,381,222
• Rockford Public Schools: $2,920,485
• Harlem School District 122: $400,956
• Alternative and Safe Schools Programs (Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education): $27,330