Courts reinstate same-day voter registration

Voters in Winnebago County will be able to register to vote and cast ballots on the same day after a federal appeals court last week temporarily blocked a lower court ruling against the legislation. The ruling suspends a court challenge to the law and allows same-day voting to occur Nov. 8 in Illinois.

Under the new law, supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman as an effort to expand participation in the electoral process, counties with more than 100,000 residents and smaller counties that keep electronic records must allow Election Day registration. The legal challenge came from a conservative policy institute that argued same-day voting slights rural areas that tend to favor Republican candidates.

Feds warn against ‘race to the bottom’ on workers’ comp

The U.S. Department of Labor is warning of a “race to the bottom” across America as states strip workers of vital workplace protections so that companies can save on workers’ compensation costs. Workers’ compensation has been a key issue in Illinois, and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda includes dramatic reductions in worker protections. The labor department’s new report provides a disturbing look at what happened in other states when similar agendas took hold.

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Stadelman disappointed in same-day voter registration ruling

State Senator Steve Stadelman expressed frustration with a judge’s decision last week to block some Election Day voter registrations in Illinois.

“While I respect the role of the judiciary in government, I'm disappointed any time access to the polls is restricted," said Stadelman, who supported the 2014 initiative to allow Election Day registration at Illinois polling places. "We should be working to make voting easier and encourage more participation in the electoral process."

The legal arm of a conservative political think tank backed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner challenged the law in court in August. A judge last week ruled in its favor and issued a preliminary injunction.

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Public hearing to probe unclaimed life insurance benefits

State Sen. Steve Stadelman will participate this week on a task force conducting statewide hearings to better understand how insurance companies avoid paying death benefits and how families can prevent themselves from being victimized after the death of a loved one.

Insurance companies have failed to pay more than $550 million in death benefits to grieving families in Illinois since 2011, according to State Treasurer Michael Frerichs who formed the Task Force on Unclaimed Life Insurance Policies. The task force, which conducted its first hearing last month in Normal, convenes next in Rockford:

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14

11 am - 1 pm

Zeke Giorgi Center - 3rd Floor Legislative Conference Room

200 S. Wyman St.

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HoopStars another slam dunk in its 4th year

New charity drive nets 160 pairs of gently used athletic shoes

State Senator Steve Stadelman's youth basketball tournament scored another victory Labor Day, offering a free 3-on-3 competition for 300 players under a sunny skies at Davis Park. The event drew hundreds more cheering spectators, who also donated boxes full of slightly worn gym shoes for young athletes from low-income families.

Players in third through eighth grades competed for first-place medals in games that began at the conclusion of the Labor Day parade and took place alongside the annual Rockford United Labor picnic. All players received commemorative event T-shirts and gift bags.

"The goal of this tournament has always been to provide kids, especially those from inner-city neighbors, with a positive activity on a holiday that also represents the unofficial end of summer," Stadelman said. "Part of what's appealing about the day is the way the event brings together a diverse group of players and families who love the game."

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