ROCKFORD – State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) congratulated the Region 1 Planning Council on winning an important grant to help expand broadband access throughout the Northern Stateline region, which includes the Rockford area.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced the first list of grant recipients for the Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY).

“Internet access is becoming as important as telephones and electricity for many citizens, and Illinois is looking to get them connected with better speeds,” Stadelman said. “High speed internet will help many people in the Rockford area work and search for work, connect families, and help students who need access to educational information.”

The inaugural READY program is a first of its kind, with $200,000 already awarded to four regional entities to accelerate progress in eliminating the digital divide. The program is meant to fuel local efforts to increase digital equity for homeowners and citizens who lack access to high-speed internet.

ROCKFORD –State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) wants Rockford area small businesses to know that an expanded state service is available to help them access economic recovery grant programs.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has invested an additional $9 million in its community navigator outreach program, with new partners serving the Rockford area.

“Our local businesses are working hard to rebuild financial stability as we move out of the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “I urge owners and managers to work with a navigator if they need help finding funding to help them return to normalcy.”

This expansion to the existing community navigator program leverages 13 organizations that will provide support for small businesses who require assistance navigating the billions of financial assistance dollars that are available. Community navigators will perform intensive outreach to ensure that small and hard-to-reach businesses are aware of economic relief funds.

ROCKFORD –Tuesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) hosted an online webinar with the Citizens Utility Board on how people can reduce cable costs and the options available for streaming and cable services.

"I hope the people who attended this event learned about ways to save money on their cable bills and the use of streaming services," Stadelman said.

Stadelman hosted an informational webinar in conjunction with CUB on cutting the cable cord and exploring options in satellite or cable television. There was a question and answer session where the senator was able to help the community get their questions answered about streaming services and cable options.

A recording of this event is available on Stadelman’s Facebook page.

ROCKFORD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2021 Small Equipment Grant Program, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to share $26,000 in grant money is going to the Blackhawk Fire Protection District.

“I am happy to see additional funding go toward our fire departments,” Stadelman said. “The men and women that work hard to protect us from fires and other emergencies deserve to have the right tools for the job.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Their purpose is to allow eligible applicants to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to afford.