ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is announcing that Rockford area school districts will receive $229.8      in additional funding to help address the many challenges      presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For more than a year now, our teachers have put in countless      hours to adapt their classrooms to remote learning,” Stadelman      said. “This funding gives schools, students and their parents the relief they need to get back on track for this upcoming school year.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

• Harlem Unit School District 122 - $21,300,984

• Rockford School District 205 - $208,505,504

The districts also received a total of $12,897,380 in CARES Act funding last year.

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“Rockford area schools know what they need to get back to a new normal,” Stadelman said. “But, this guide can help them with that planning moving forward.”

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is taking action to ensure local journalism survives in Illinois’ small towns and mid-sized cities.

“As a former journalist and news anchor, I know how important it is to have access to truly local news,” Stadelman said. “People deserve to know what’s happening in their communities, regardless of where they live.”

The measure would create the Local Journalism Task Force,      which would be made up of 10 individuals representing print and      broadcast media, journalism schools, and state and local government. They would be charged with conducting a study on communities underserved by local journalism and making recommendations on how to preserve and restore news coverage in these areas.

Declines in advertising revenue and circulation have meant that nearly half of the newsroom jobs at newspapers that existed in 2004 have since disappeared—and more than 2,000 papers around the country have closed over the past 15 years.

If signed into law, the task force would be required to submit the findings from its study to the governor’s office and the General Assembly no later than Jan. 1, 2023.

“Your address should not dictate the quality and type of information you have access to,” Stadelman said. “This measure is meant to start a conversation and provide new ideas to help address shrinking press coverage in our communities.”

Senate Bill 134 passed the Senate Commerce Committee with no opposition and will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s (D-Rockford) legislation to help the state invest in construction projects          throughout Illinois passed committee Wednesday.

The legislation allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the state’s investment portfolio into Illinois infrastructure development companies. This change in the law would allow up to $700 million      in financing.

“Investing in construction is also investing in workers,” Stadelman said. “This opportunity will create good-paying jobs across Illinois.”

The legislation encourages more businesses to locate, expand, and remain in Illinois by investing in quality construction development firms with a significant presence within state borders.

“This measure creates new economic development opportunities for the state,” Stadelman said. “The construction industry is a key part of our state’s economy, so it makes sense to allow the treasurer to invest in infrastructure projects.”

Senate Bill 117 passed the Senate State Government Committee with a vote of xxx and now goes to the Senate floor for further consideration.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is announcing a $200,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant for the Rockford Park District to develop boat access areas      in Rockford.

“With spring just around the corner, this grant will help Rockford further develop its riverfront access,” Stadelman said. “This investment will provide residents and visitors with easier access to enjoy the Rock River.”

The grant will help pay for parking lots, boat stalls, light poles, and painting at Mercyhealth Sportscore One Boating Area Development. The funding will also help install a new water pressure tank,                                                                                                vanities, a drinking fountain and LED lights for the restrooms at the same location.

The Boat Access Area Development Program provides financial assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition, construction, and expansion or rehabilitation of public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois’ lakes and rivers.

“A more accessible river attracts more visitors to the Rockford area, and the local economy will benefit,” Stadelman said.

The program provides up to 100% of approved project construction costs and 90% of approved land acquisition costs. Revenue comes from marine motor fuel tax and boat and canoe registration fees.

More information about the program is available here.