ROCKFORD - Under the state’s new modified Stay at Home Order that went into effect today, 60 state parks in Illinois will reopen for recreational outdoor activities, including Rock Cut State Park.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released an initial list of just 25 parks that were set to open. Concerned about the absence of parks within a reasonable travel distance for families in Winnebago County and surrounding communities, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) began discussions with The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Pritzker administration to include Rock Cut State Park.

The Pritzker administration today announced it amended the new Stay at Home Order to include Rock Cut, among other parks.
“Getting outside and enjoying nature is one of the best ways to combat the uncertainty and ease the stress that families are currently under. We need to ensure that every family across Illinois is afforded that same opportunity,” Stadelman said. “I’d like to thank the IDNR and the administration for their good faith discussions and ultimately reopening Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County.”

Stadelman annouces Rock Cut reopening 

State Senator Steve Stadelman today announced that Rock Cut State Park is now open so people looking for a safe recreational outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic can enjoy hiking, biking and other outdoor activities.

Stadelman worked with Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan and representatives of Gov. JB Pritizker's administration to include Rock Cut among 24 state parks initially scheduled to open May 1. Those discussions led to 35 additional state parks reopening today, including Rock Cut.

"I thank Director Callahan and the governor's staff for taking another look at its criteria for reopening state parks," Stadelman said. "Rock Cut is among this community's most treasured public assets, and its size allows plenty of space for people to enjoy nature while maintaining social distance. In these trying times, the ability to move around and be outdoors is a welcome relief."

Rock Cut covers 3,092 acres. Guidelines for safe use of state parks can be found at the IDNR website. 

Stadelman calls for more funds for local health agencies

ROCKFORD - To help local health departments sustain their COVID-19 response efforts in addition to their basic functions, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and other downstate Senate Democrats are pushing to double state funding to support local health departments for the coming year.

The plan would increase funding for Local Health Protection Grants to $36 million in the state’s next budget, which Stadelman agrees is key to opening up the economy.

“Winnebago County’s recovery from COVID-19 will definitely need a fully staffed and better funded health department, and I think it’s safe to say that nearly all 100 other local health departments are in the same situation,” Stadelman said. “We need these departments operating as efficiently as possible if we want to reopen our state and local economies.”

ROCKFORD – This afternoon, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) praised the Illinois Department of Public Health’s decision to open a community-based testing site in Rockford to help test Illinoisans for COVID-19. The site will open this Friday, April 24 and will be located at 1601 Parkview Ave., on the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford campus.

“As we have all heard from leading health experts, testing is the essential first step in combatting and eventually eradicating COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “With the opening of this new testing site, the Rockford area will be better equipped to halt the spread of this disease.”