Stadelman votes to end seasonal time change in Illinois

State Senator Steve Stadelman voted on legislation this week that would make daylight saving time the year-round standard, eliminating the statewide practice of moving clocks forward in the spring and backward in the fall.

“Changing your clocks twice a year is at best a hassle for most Illinoisans,” Stadelman said. “There are also many health benefits that come with making this simple change to the way we keep our time in this state.”

Research has shown that switching to standard time in the fall is linked with a spike in diagnoses of depression as well as a mild spike in heart attacks.

“Standard time may have served a purpose in the past, but it’s simply no longer necessary for the world we live in today,” Stadelman said. “I hope federal lawmakers will come to a similar conclusion and do their part to remove this arbitrary system that burdens everyday people.”

Although the legislation would change state law to end standard time, Illinois still needs approval from the federal government. Until the federal government allows the change to occur, the current timekeeping standards will remain in effect.

 Stadelman sponsors bill to protect aviation jobs

Hundreds of good-paying jobs across the state, including dozens in the Rockford area, may be saved as a result of a bill co-sponsored by Senator Steve Stadelman .

Springfield lawmakers this week approved legislation to reinstate a sales tax exemption for aircraft maintenance materials. Most states offer the exemption from neighboring Wisconsin, Missouri and Indiana to major Illinois competitors like California and New York.

“Companies like Emery Air provide good-paying jobs in the Rockford-area,” Stadelman said. “We need to keep Illinois open for business and support these aviation jobs.

Aviation repair companies didn’t begin charging the sales tax on their services when the exemption expired four years ago, and the Illinois Department of Revenue failed to identify or collect the missing funds. House Bill 3902 forgives companies for unintentionally not collecting taxes.

“These companies shouldn’t be penalized for not collecting the tax when they didn’t know the tax credit had expired,” Stadelman said. “I’m urging the governor to reconsider signing this crucial legislation. Hundreds of Illinoisans’ jobs depend on it.”

The bill passed the Senate 48-1-2 during the final week of the fall veto session and now heads to the governor, who has already pledged to veto the proposal.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined fellow lawmakers to pass a measure that would prevent the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs across the state, including dozens in the Rockford area.

The legislation would reinstate a sales tax exemption for aircraft maintenance materials. Most other states offer this exemption, so Illinois needs it to remain competitive. Illinois neighbors Wisconsin, Missouri and Indiana all offer similar exemptions, as do major competitors like California and New York.

“Companies like Emery Air provide good-paying jobs in the Rockford-area,” Stadelman said. “We need to keep Illinois open for business and support these aviation jobs.”

Over the last four years, since the exemption expired, aviation repair companies didn’t charge any sales taxes along with their services. The Department of Revenue failed to identify or collect missing tax revenue. The legislation forgives the companies for unintentionally not collecting taxes.

“These companies shouldn’t be penalized for not collecting the tax when they didn’t know the tax credit had expired,” Stadelman said. “I’m urging the governor to reconsider signing this crucial legislation. Hundreds of Illinoisans’ jobs depend on it.”

House Bill 3902 passed the Senate 48-1-2, and it will now be sent to the governor, who has already pledged to veto the measure.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted on legislation today that would make daylight saving time the year-round standard.

The measure would eliminate the statewide practice of moving clocks forward in the spring and backward in the fall.

“Changing your clocks twice year is at best a hassle for most Illinoisans,” Stadelman said. “There are also many benefits that come with making this simple change to the way we keep our time in this state.”

Research has shown that switching to standard time in the fall is linked with a spike in diagnoses of depression as well as a mild spike in heart attacks.

“I have no doubt that in the past standard time served a purpose, but it’s simply no longer necessary for the world we live in today,” Stadelman said. “I hope federal lawmakers will come to a similar conclusion and do their part to remove this arbitrary system that burdens everyday people.”

Although the legislation would change state law to eliminate the time change, Illinois would still need approval from the federal government before implementing the measure. Until the federal government allows the change to occur, the current timekeeping standards will remain in effect.

The proposal passed the Illinois Senate 44-2-2. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives.

Second Chances Summit helps improve lives of Rockford area residents

Two dozen volunteer attorneys provided free legal assistance to 135 people hoping to expunge or seal their criminal records, opening the door for them to obtain better jobs, find better places to live or go back to school. Interest in second Second Chances Summit was so high that a third annual event is likely to occur next year.

Attorneys met one-on-one with summit attendees to reivew their criminal records and drafted the necessary documents to request judicial relief for those determined to be eligible under Illinois law. Eligibility depends on the type of offense and length of time without a subsequent charge.

"If you listened to the stories of any of the people who attended the summit, you quickly realize they are haunted for years or even decades by a past transgression that often wasn't a serious enough offense to even warrant jail time," State Senator Steve Stadelman said. "As a result, they've been underemployed and lack the financial resources to engage a lawyer. In extending a hand up to them, we are lifting our community as a whole."

During the summit at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford, attendees also could register to vote, apply for a library card and learn about employment opportunities and job retraining programs. In addition to the attorneys who donated a full day of their expertise at no no charge, several local law firms donated funds to offset costs associated with the event

Stadelman organized the summit in partnership with Prairie State Legal Services, Rockford Public Library and United Way of Rock River Valley.

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' Wellness Fair ' offers free health services for fifth year

From flu shots to reflexology demonstrations, an array of free local and state services are being brought together by State Senator Steve Stadelman in his annual event focusing on women's health.

Admission and parking are free for Senator Stadelman's Women's Wellness Fair from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 16, in Kresge Hall at Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. in downtown Rockford.

Services available at Senator Stadelman's Women's Wellness Fair include:

• Influenza, shingles and pneumonia immunizations
• Blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) testing
• Massage and reflexology demonstrations
• Enrollment in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program for uninsured women
• Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor registration
• Medicare and Medicaid advice
• Skincare consultations

Displays booths also will feature information on weight-loss support groups, essential oils, healing crystals and chakra stones.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and the harp and flute duo Emerald Wind will perform. Additional details are available at www.facebook.com/steve4womenshealth.

"Health care, especially for women, remains a central public policy concern," said Stadelman, who began the event in 2015. "I believe very strongly that a woman's ability to pay should never stand in the way of her receiving basic health care -- especially preventive care."

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Lo pasé muy bien (I had a good time) at the Dia De Los Muertos celebration! The money raised will be used to buy backpacks filled with essentials and given to the children in the DCFS Foster Care Program. Great to see Ricardo Montoya Picazo, who works in Cheri Bustos' office, and Mayor Thomas McNamara!