ROCKFORD -- State Senator Steve Stadelman announced Friday that nearly $6.3 million in Rebuild Illinois funds are headed to Rockford and Loves Park for construction of sidewalks and multi-use paths to improve safety and enhance quality of life.

"Investing in alternative forms of transportation infrastructure is the smart course for the future," Stadelman said. "More and more people want to get outdoors to walk and ride bikes, especially since the pandemic. That's good for our physical and mental health, and any trip not taken by car benefits our environment. Communities that build sidewalks and multi-use paths become more attractive places to work and live with better opportunities for economic growth."

The funds are part of the six-year Rebuild Illinois capital spending bill Stadelman supported  in 2019 and are being awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. 

 Senator Steve Stadelman was joined by Governor Pritzker and Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau on Sunday to survey damage at and around the Apollo Theatre in downtown Belvidere, where one concertgoer died and five others were critically injured when a tornado caused the roof to collapse.

“Our thoughts are with the dozens of people injured in this tragedy,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "We're here to let residents know the state will assist in any way it can to help the community recover"

The governor announced a disaster proclamation has been issued for Boone County that unlocks immediate state financial assistance and possible federal aid. 

260 concertgoers were inside the Apollo Theatre when the tornado struck Friday night.

 "I want to thank the heroic efforts of first responders and the concertgoers who helped pull people out of the ruble, said Stadelman. "Their actions saved lives."

The historic Theater is undergoing a structural integrity analysis to determine its future. As efforts to assess total damage continue, Stadelman will be working with Belvidere Mayor Clint Morris and others to try and save and restore the historic 102-year-old building. 

Extended coverage of the news conference is available here.

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SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Steve Stadelman has introduced legislation that will provide an economic boost to Illinois communities and downtown areas.

The Senate Revenue Committee heard testimony this week on the new Revitalizing Downtowns Tax Credit Act and an expansion of the Historic Preservation Tax Credit for communities looking to renovate historic or commercial properties.

Under the Downtown Tax Credit bill, developers could receive a state income tax credit equal to 25% of expenditures incurred to convert an office building to residential, retail or commercial use.

“Downtowns are the economic engines of our cities and right now many are struggling. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have moved to remote work and this has led to many office spaces going unused,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This incentivizes renovation of these properties to help bring more life to downtown areas and help other business still there.”

To help tenants who rent small properties like houses and duplex homes, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed legislation on Thursday to provide greater transparency for renters.

“Currently, there are no security deposit protections for renters of small properties with five or fewer units,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This legislation would expand the current ways renters are protected to include those renting smaller properties with five or fewer units.”

Under the current law, landlords can withhold security deposits for tenants in buildings with five units or more as long as they provide an itemized statement of damages within 30 days after a tenant moves out. For those living in a building with five or fewer units, a withheld security deposit does not require a statement explaining why and listing the damages incurred.

Senate Bill 1741 would remove this limitation and require all landlords to provide an itemized statement of damages before withholding a security deposit from any tenant, regardless of the number of units in the property.