SPRINGFIELD – A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that would support investment in downtown Rockford passed the Illinois Senate.

“Since the River Edge Historic Tax Credit was created, the city of Rockford has experienced economic growth and significant restoration,” Stadelman said. “This extension will allow these investments to continue and further revitalize Rockford.”

Rockford has seen a significant amount of new development, largely due to the River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program, which gives a state income-tax credit to the owners of historic structures matching 25% of rehabilitation project costs.

“This tax credit has brought life to many historic buildings, which helps boost property values in the area,” Stadelman said. “I hope to see this program continue to bring in more successful projects, like the Embassy Suites Hotel downtown.”

The historic Ziock/Amerock building where the hotel is located had been vacant for over 25 years before the restoration project supported by the River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program took place.

Originally set to expire at the end of 2021, the legislation would continue the River Edge Redevelopment Zone tax credit through the end of 2026. The tax credit has also helped revitalize parts of Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin and Peoria.

Other examples of projects made possible by the program are Prairie Street Brewhouse, the Rockford Trust Building, Midtown Lofts and the Handley Building, all located downtown.

Senate Bill 157 passed the Illinois Senate and now awaits further consideration in the Illinois House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – State agencies and institutions could only purchase American and Illinois flags manufactured in the United States under a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that passed committee Wednesday.

“This is the right thing to do. As a government, we have no      business flying our state and nation’s flags if they aren’t made in America,” Stadelman said. “Supporting our local businesses and economies should always take priority.”

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

“Our state agencies and institutions purchase flags every year,” Stadelman said. “This will ensure those flags are American made.”

Under the Flag Display Act, flags are designated to be necessary supplies for institution and agency budgets.

House Bill 605 passed the Senate State Government Committee without opposition and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Schools that teach sex education would be required to include a lesson about the risks of sexting under a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), which passed committee Tuesday.

“The last time this curriculum was updated, technology was not as advanced as it is today,” Stadelman said. “This measure would modernize our state’s education standards to include sexting so our children know the long-term effects and consequences of what may seem like a harmless act.”

The measure would require schools that offer a sex education course or unit to modify their current curricula to include an age-appropriate lesson on sexting and its potential consequences.

“Students need to know about the real-life consequences of sexting,” Stadelman said. “How do we expect them to make an informed decision if they aren’t taught the dangers of sending or sharing sexually explicit messages?”

The measure was introduced by State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford), Stadelman’s counterpart in the Illinois House of Representatives.

House Bill 24 passed the Senate Education Committee with a vote of 10-5 and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that would ensure local sales tax revenue approved by Winnebago county voters is used for mental health and substance abuse resources.

“The voters spoke. They said they want this money to go to mental health and substance abuse treatment. I want to make sure it does,” Stadelman said.

In March of 2020, the residents of Winnebago County passed a referendum that increased the county’s sales tax rate. The additional revenue from the increase is meant to go to community-based mental health and substance abuse resources and support. This legislation requires counties that have approved this sales tax referendum to create seven-member boards made up of health advocates and professionals to help administer the funding produced by the referendum, as the taxpayers intended.

The county expects to see up to $14 million in additional revenue a year for these programs.

“This legislation eliminates barriers to mental health and substance abuse treatment by supporting private sector and non-profit alternatives to handling these public health crises. It does so by creating a greater number of access points to treatment. It allows counties to gap-fill specific services and shape mental health and substance abuse treatment according to the needs of the community, rather than through an arbitrary statewide mandate that will help the communities most in need,” said David Gill, President of NAMI Northern Illinois.

Senate Bill 2278 passed the Illinois Senate by a vote of 56-0 and now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.