ROCKFORD – The Back 2 Business program has awarded more than $3.4 million in funding to several local businesses in Rockford thanks to advocacy from State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford).

“Businesses need our support, and this grant money will continue the efforts into helping businesses make a full recovery and get back on their feet,” Stadelman said. “The assistance from the Back 2 Business program has provided meaningful help and funds that keep our communities afloat and I am happy to see Rockford businesses receiving this assistance.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

ROCKFORD – Daylight Saving Time is this weekend, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joins the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal in reminding residents to check their fire, smoke and CO alarms as they change their clocks this weekend.

“It only takes a few minutes to replace a smoke alarm or put in some new batteries, and doing this can prevent people from facing a loss from a fire,” Stadelman said. “This is a good chance to change your clocks and check your monitoring equipment around the house to ensure that you and your family are safe and will be warned of danger.”

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal suggests using the time changes as a bi-annual reminder to test all alarms in the home. If an alarm is not working, it should be replaced immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm.

SPRINGFIELD – To restore public trust in local government officials, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is sponsoring a measure alongside Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), to create a process to place local officials on administrative leave for those accused of violating their oath.

“This will ensure that when criminal charges are pending results against a government official, residents can trust their government to act,” Stadelman said. “Townships, counties, and local governments will be able to remove bad faith actors and restore trust in the system.”

Senate Bill 3460 creates a process in which countywide elected officials or township officers can be placed on administrative leave in the wake of a criminal charge for a crime or any offense in violation of their official oath. Specifically, this measure allows county or township boards to vote to determine if the official should be placed on administrative leave with a three-fifths vote.

The vote would then be sent to the state’s attorney for review of the crimes, and if it is determined the crimes were relevant to their duties, the state’s attorney would file a motion to place the elected official on administrative leave.

SPRINGFIELD – Leading legislation to give survivors of abuse     more comfort and accessibility filing a protective order, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) hosted a press conference Wednesday to bring more awareness to the ongoing issues survivors face.  

“The weight of trauma a survivor carries becomes detrimental as they struggle to cope with grief and take the steps necessary to begin to heal,” Stadelman said. “By giving survivors the opportunity to file for protective orders at their own pace in the safety of their      own home, we are giving them the keys to move forward.”

Stadelman’s measure would give people the option to file a protective order either online or in-person. The measure would also require any court in a county with a population above 250,000 to offer the option of a remote hearing to the petitioner for a protective order.

“As legislators, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of survivors of domestic abuse through the entirety of the reporting process,” said State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport), a chief co-sponsor of the legislation. “The justice system should provide support for any trauma survivor attempting to find peace.”

Any and all types of protective orders would be covered under this legislation.