SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted for a comprehensive measure to focus on achieving racial equity within education Monday.

“When you focus on making a more inclusive education system, everyone benefits,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will help even the playing field for students who may need additional resources.”

The overhaul of the state’s education system will require the Professional Review Panel to review funding adequacy target calculations, racial equity, and whether funding goals are     sufficient, among other things.

“There is no excuse for any child in the state to not reach their full potential solely because their ZIP code, socioeconomic background or the color of their skin,” Stadelman said. “Providing necessary services at an early age will ensure better educational outcomes for the entire state.”

The bill creates new programs to support education from early childhood to college. Students entering kindergarten would be more rigorously assessed for academic, social and emotional development skills. The state's standards for high schools would be revised to ensure more students are able to attend college. Other measures include a six-week summer program to help students in poverty and the creation of a task force to support equitable environments in Illinois schools.

The measure, House Bill 2170, has passes both chambers. It will now go to the governor’s desk for further consideration. 

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is reminding Rockford residents of the importance of early detection of radon and urges people to test their homes for this harmful gas during Radon Action Month.

“People are spending more time inside as the cold winter months and the public health crisis both continue,” Stadelman said. “Extended exposure to radon has the potential to cause lung cancer, so we must continue to raise awareness around this silent killer.”

Radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the nation, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Statistics show radon has been found in nearly 40% of homes tested in Illinois. Cities located in the central and northern regions, like Rockford, are shown to have higher levels of radon in the soil.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas comes from the natural breakdown of the soil, and it enters buildings through small cracks in the foundation, sump pits, crawl spaces, floor drains and more. If not properly mitigated, radon gas can reach drastically high levels and cause major health concerns.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois are hosting two statewide contests that urge students to use their creative talents to promote radon awareness. High school students are invited to submit a 30-second commercial style video, and middle school students can design a poster to urge residents to test their homes for radon. For more information and to enter, click here.

“Not only is this a great opportunity to raise awareness around radon exposure, but it also gives students the chance to be creative,” Stadelman said.

For more information about radon, visit www.radon.illinois.gov. Information is also available through IEMA’s Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245. 

SPRINGFIELD – Amid life-threatening increases in the cost of prescription insulin, Steve Stadelman, a State Senator                      (D-Rockford) and father to a son who has diabetes, is highlighting      a new law taking effect Jan. 1. Itwill prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from continuing to excessively profit from Illinoisans suffering from diabetes.

Senate Bill 667, co-sponsored by Stadelman, made Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at      $100 per month for all patients using a state regulated insurance plan, regardless of the supply they require.

“I have seen the struggles people with diabetes face every day. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families,” Stadelman said. “Without adequate insurance, many people with diabetes can’t afford the insulin they need to survive, and rationing insulin will lead to further health problems and more expensive health care costs in the long term.”

The price of insulin has tripled between 2002 and 2013, which has led to many patients rationing their insulin and sacrificing other daily needs to pay for the medication.
These increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of death without it.

The new law also requires the Departments of Insurance, Human Services, and Healthcare and Family Services to jointly issue an "insulin pricing report" to the public that details findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

Stadelman, along with a number of other sponsors, worked with advocacy groups, including Insulin for All and AARP, to pass the measure with bipartisan support.

“Diabetes is a lifelong affliction for those who have it. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families,” Stadelman said. “This law will provide medical and financial relief to thousands in the Rockford area and across Illinois. I’m proud of our state’s commitment to lowering insulin costs.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced the City of Rockford and the Northern Illinois Land      Bank Authority will receive a combined total of $475,000 revitalization grant to support affordable housing and revitalization across the city.

“There are thousands of vacant lots across the state. Sadly, this includes hundreds in Rockford,” Stadelman said. “General maintenance on these properties cost the state and city millions of dollars each year. The money granted to Rockford and Winnebago County will give us a much needed opportunity to revitalize our community.”

The grants where made available after the Illinois Housing Development Authority Board approved $10 million in funding for the initiative. Awarded under the new Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide the city of Rockford with funding for the attainment, maintenance, restoration and demolition of abandoned residential properties.

The program – which began in August – awards grants of up to $250,000 to local governments to return vacant residential properties to productive use. A total of $30 million in grant funding will eventually be awarded through multiple funding rounds.

SCP Funding will reimburse municipalities for acquisition, rehabilitation, maintenance and other costs related to returning abandoned properties to a useable state. Program funds may also be used for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences.

“When money is spent to address properties like these, the value of homes in the surrounding area go up,” Stadelman said. “As a result, the program will help increase property values, create jobs, reduce crime and generate additional tax revenue.”