ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by colleagues to show support for the historic Times Theater redevelopment project continuing in downtown Rockford Monday.

“Bringing back business to downtown Rockford is important in our redevelopment of the area,” Stadelman said. “The Times Theater is a vital and historic part of our community and I am happy to see renovations and redevelopment plans in the making.”

The long vacant theater built in 1938 hopes to receive assistance from the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Capital Grant program to restore the building to seat audiences of up to 900 people. The theatre would host live performances and films — filling a need for a mid-sized media venue in downtown Rockford.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is reminding Illinois drivers that they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses and ID cards.

“Eliminating long lines and crowded facilities is one step we are taking to help control and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “With many of the services available online and the new extension, there is no need to hurry to a brick-and-mortar facility to renew your license.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

To cut down on long lines and wait times, Joyce encourages people to take advantage of the secretary of state’s online services at ilsos.gov. These services include:

• Renewing a vehicle registration;
• Applying for a vehicle title and registration;
• Obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• Obtaining a driving record abstract;
• Renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program.

Stadelman would like to remind residents the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. Current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at the airport, military bases, and secure federal facilities.

For more information to take advantage of any online service, including plate renewal, please visit ilsos.gov.

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ROCKFORD – Starting Jan. 1, Illinois and American flags purchased to fly at state agencies and institutions must be manufactured in the United States, thanks to a law spearheaded by State Senator Steve Stadelmen (D-Rockford).  

“We should be supporting local manufacturing companies that work hard and deserve our business,” Stadelman said. “We have no reason to be buying flags of our own state that are made in other countries.”

The new law will 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.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced a $4.5 million investment in state funding to help maintain and upgrade the Rockford Airport on Wednesday.

“The Rockford Airport is a strong economic driver of our region that provides hundreds of jobs to our community,” Stadelman said. “The funding to help maintain and upgrade sections of the airport is an investment in our residents to help our area thrive after such a tough year.”

The 96 projects selected for funding will help meet the needs of airports large and small in both urban and rural communities. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Among the projects to receive funding, the Rockford Airport is set to receive $3.6 million for construction to the midfield entrance road and utility corridor as well as $900,000 to reconstruct the airport’s terminal entrance road and relocate the main terminal entrance.