SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and State Representative Dave Vella requires state agencies and institutions to only purchase American and Illinois flags manufactured in the United States.

“There’s no reason for us to be flying American and Illinois flags made in other countries,” Stadelman said. “This legislation rights a wrong while supporting local manufacturing and business economies at the same time.”

The legislation would change the Flag Display Act to no longer allow state institutions and agencies to purchase American and Illinois flags from manufacturers outside of the U.S.

“Purchasing flags is something that happens every year,” Stadelman said. “And, it doesn’t make sense to import flags when we can produce them locally and put Americans to work.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that creates a commission to help make a statewide network of new and existing high-speed passenger rail lines a reality has been signed by the governor.

“Creating a high-speed rail network would provide a fast, safe and reliable way to travel across the state,” Stadelman said.

The measure would create the High-Speed Railway Commission to assist the state and organizations like the High-Speed Rail Alliance, which produced a plan to create a high-speed rail line from Chicago to St. Louis within the next 10 years, coordinate.

“Connecting Rockford to Chicago through rail has always been one of my top priories,” Stadelman said. “This investment in high speed rail networks will expand travel opportunities for the residents of Rockford and the entire state.”

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is happy to share that the State Historic Preservation Office will award Rockford a $19,000 grant for a survey of historic industrial buildings.

“Honoring the places where Rockford’s industrial economy began helps us commemorate our past,” Stadelman said. “This grant gives the city the tools to survey and identify the historical importance of many of the old buildings that still exist within Rockford today.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently announced more than $131,400 in funding for local governments for nine historic preservation projects through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund.

Rockford was selected for a comprehensive survey of historic industrial buildings built between 1850 and 1930. The city will receive $19,000 in Federal Historic Preservation Funds and provide $7,000 in matching funds toward the program.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and State Representative Dave Vella was signed by the governor on Friday making civil no contact orders permanent for sexual assault survivors whose assailants are criminally convicted.

“People who’ve been through a sexual assault will live with that trauma for the rest of their lives,” Stadelman said. “I believe Illinois can help ease their burdens by ensuring they do not have to relive their trauma by returning to court year after year.”

Currently, under Illinois state law, sexual assault survivors are forced to see their assailants in court every two years to renew their no contact orders.