More property tax relief coming for Harlem schools

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced today that Harlem Unit District 122 has received the Illinois State Board of Education Property Tax Relief Grant. The grant gives school districts with high tax rates an opportunity to lower taxes on local property owners with the state replacing the lost tax revenue. Harlem's grant amount will be determined in future District 122 calculations.

“This is another positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the people of Loves Park and Machesney Park,” Stadelman said. “Property taxes have been – and continue to be – an important issue that needs to be further addressed in the Rockford area, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Harlem schools.”

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

Stadelman supports governor's commitment to ethics reform

Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s delivery of the annual State of the State address this week in Springfield, Senator Stadelman issued this statement:

“The governor laid out a number of proposals that are steps in the right direction. I’m happy to hear that he plans to move forward with ideas from both parties to reduce property taxes. I’m also looking forward to working with the governor on ethics reform that will help restore trust in state government.”

Stadelman also released a video sharing this thoughts on the governor's speech.

Unpaid parking tickets, civil fines will no longer cost drivers their licenses

Tens of thousands of Illinois motorists who lost driving privleges because of unpaid parking tickets or fines for other non-moving violations soon will get their drivers' lienceses reinstated. Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1786, which repeals existing laws that either required or allowed the Illinois Secretary of State to suspend driving privileges for unpaid fines and other violations.

State Senator Steve Stadelman voted to pass the "License to Work Act” in March 2019, but the Illinois House didn't approve until late October during the fall veto session. The repeal goes into effect July 1.

"I've always believed in common-sense legislation," Stadelman said. "If people can't get to work, they're less likely to be able to pay their debt, not to mention buy groceries for their children or see a doctor."

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 Thank you to the 140 soldiers of the Illinois National Guard's 135th Chemical Company who are being mobilized for service overseas. And thanks to their loved ones who will have to take over responsibilities while they're gone. Governor JB Pritzker addressed the unit during a mobilization ceremony at Harlem Middle School.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman recently announced that Harlem Unit District 122 has received the Illinois State Board of Education Property Tax Relief Grant.

“This is another positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the people of Loves Park and Machesney Park,” Stadelman said. “Property taxes have been – and continue to be – an important issue that needs to be further addressed in the Rockford area, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Harlem schools.”

The Property Tax Relief Grant gives school districts with high tax rates the opportunity to lower the property tax burden on local taxpayers with the state replacing a portion of foregone tax revenue with state funds.

The amount Harlem Unit District 122 is set to receive will be included in future calculations of the district.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“The governor laid out a number of proposals that are steps in the right direction. I’m happy to hear that he plans to move forward with ideas from both parties to reduce property taxes. I’m also looking forward to working with the governor on ethics reform that will help restore trust in state government.”

Governor signs bill to cap insulin copayments

This morning, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that will cap out-of-pocket expenses for prescription insulin at $100 per month. The father of a diabetic son, Stadelman worked to help make Illinois only the second state in the nation to limit insulin copayments for consumers who face life-threatening cost increases.

“I have seen the struggles people with diabetes face every day,” Stadelman said, noting that the cap will apply regardless of how much insulin a patient needs. “Diabetes is a lifelong affliction for those who have it. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for families."

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. An individual with Type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition that can begin at birth, will spend an average of $5,705 per year on insulin alone.

“This legislation will provide medical and financial relief to thousands in the Rockford area and across Illinois,” Stadelman said. “I’d like to thank the governor for his commitment to lowering insulin costs throughout the state.”

Senate Bill 667 doesn’t go into effect until January 2021 to give insurance plans a sufficient amount of time to adjust their rates. The cap will apply only to state-regulated commercial insurance plans.

Ethics commission eyes full disclosure of all lobbying in Illinois

Across Illinois on a daily basis, people are likely being paid to lobby governments without ever having to register as lobbyists or disclose any information. While Illinois state government, the city of Chicago and Cook County require lobbyist registration and disclosure, hundreds of units of local government throughout Illinois no such lobbying requirements.

That's the picture that emerged during a hearing before the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform. The commission faces a March 31 deadline for making recommendations for reform to the General Assembly, which formed the commission in response to recent scandals and ongoing federal investigations.

Witnesses detailed lobbyist laws and procedures that are in place in a few jurisdiction, but it was acknowledged that there are no such requirements in the vast majority of cities, counties, school boards, park districts and other government entities. Commissioners were told of a DuPage County requirement that is largely unenforced and other counties that abandoned the issue after court challenges.

An initial hearing focused on rules and protocol for the commision. The second focused on the Lobbyist Registration Act, and the next hearing will concern the Governmental Ethics Act. Those appearing before the commission have included representatives from the Illinois Municipal League, Illinois State Association of County Chairs and the Better Government Association.

Rockford Park District to receive state grant

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced this week the Rockford Park District will receive $275,000 to renovate Keye-Mallquist Park through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisitions and Development program. Illinois has invested $419 million in 1,765 local park projects since establishing OSLAD in 1987.

“Our local parks provide a great way for all of us to stay active,” Stadelman said. “It’s great to see our park district working hard to pursue available funds."