SPRINGFIELD – This week, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the fourth round of Rebuild Illinois      funding for local governments is available, and State Senator      Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased that over $4 million is being provided to the Rockford area.

“This funding will help put people to work on local construction projects,” Stadelman said. “Getting this money in place for projects within our community is more important now than ever, as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

A total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments is being invested over three years to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. Projects include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A complete list of local agencies and awards can be viewed here.

“This funding is an Investment in the safety of everyone who uses our roads and highways on a daily basis,” Stadelman said. “It also shows our commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and focusing funds toward communities that need it.”

Stadelman is a long-time advocate for investing in Rockford-area infrastructure, including connecting the city to Chicago with a commuter rail line.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting a funding opportunity that will help local airports expand and increase economic development through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program.

“I’m thrilled the state is investing in our local airports,” Stadelman said. “This funding would help airports like Chicago Rockford      expand while also boosting our local economy.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Rebuild Illinois program will provide $94 million in funding to improve public airports throughout the state. Through a competitive grant process, airports can submit project proposals for updates, improvements, and extensions of their facilities.

Airports must be for public use and included in the Illinois Aviation System Plan to be eligible for the funding. Applications are due June 14 to be eligible for grants of up to $25 million.

Application information is available by visiting IDOT’s Airport Improvement Program page. Awards are anticipated to be announced later this year.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that would create a commission to make a statewide network of new and existing passenger rail lines a reality passed committee on Tuesday.

“This measure would create a commission to help make a statewide network of high-speed rail services a reality,” Stadelman said. “Creating a high-speed rail network would provide a fast, safe and reliable way to travel across the state.”

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 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. “Investing in a network like this would further expand travel opportunities for the residents of Rockford and the rest of the state.”

The commission would also be tasked with producing an annual report for the General Assembly on potential plans for a high-speed rail line between Chicago and St. Louis, with connections to the cities of Rockford, Moline, Peoria and Decatur. The final goal is to modernize and integrate all train systems in Illinois into one connected high-speed rail network.

House Bill 399 passed the Senate Transportation Committee without opposition and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

ROCKFORD — State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is commending a program to make receiving the COVID-19 vaccine more convenient for office workers in Rockford.

“It doesn’t get any more convenient than having the vaccine available at your workplace,” Stadelman said. “I acknowledge getting vaccinated is an incredibly personal decision, but I hope more people will get the vaccine when it’s so convenient.”

The program will initially be offered at 10 sites in Chicago, Schaumburg and Rockford. The state is partnering with the Building Owners and Managers Association and local unions to encourage front desk staff, custodial workers, security, building engineers and other employees to sign up for an appointment in advance.

The clinics offer two-dose vaccinations and will also take walk-ins.

Beginning in mid-May, the following buildings in Rockford will be included in the first wave of the program:

• 308 W. State Street, Rockford

• 1111 S. Alpine Road, Rockford

Dates and times will be promoted in advance, which will be scheduled around shift changes to allow more workers to take advantage of this opportunity.

Rockford building operators interested in hosting additional clinics are encouraged to contact the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Building Owners and Managers Association.