Stadelman working to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs

State Senator Stadelman is pushing for approval of a measure to reduce the skyrocketing cost of insulin.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes and 7.4 million of require insulin every day to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association. Rapidly rising costs for the medication have have led many patients to ration their supply or seek care outside of the country.

Stadelman, whose son Nikolas is diabetic, was especially eager to co-sponsor Senate Bill 667 to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply. Now he's advocating for Illinois to become the second state in the nation after Colorado to limit the profits of insulin manufacturers.

"No one in Illinois should be forced to chose between filling an insulin prescription and buying groceries or making the rent payment," Stadelman said. "When people's lives are at stake, big drug companies should not be allowed to turn outrageous profits."

In 2017, Stadelman passed legislation to allow diabetics, asthmatics and others with chronic illnesses to obtain emergency refills of vital drugs if their prescription runs out when their doctor isn't available. Stadelman faced such a situation when Nikolas exhausted his insulin supply during a family vacation out of state. At the time, Nikolas, now a senior at Guilford High School, had only recently been diagosed.

SB 667, which could be called for a vote during fall veto session next month, has been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Pharmacists Association and AARP.

Second summit to provide second chances for people with criminal records

People who are eligible to have criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case to go before a judge at State Senator Steve Stadelman's Second Chances Summit II from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

To register for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com or call 815-987-7557.

Stadelman said that since the 2018 summit, when 130 individuals met one-on-one with volunteer lawyers, he has received numerous requests to again offer the one-day opportunity.

Included as part of the summit this year is a presentation by Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, "Cannabis Clemency: Illinois' New Law Legalizing Marijuana." Many lower-level marijuana convictions can be removed from people's records after retail sales become legal in January 2020. Hite Ross' talk from noon to 12:45 p.m. is open to the general public; advance registration is not required.

“Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result.”

Prairie State Legal Services provides event training that volunteer attorneys can be use toward the state's continuing education requirements. Local attorneys interested in donating their time can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.

In case you missed me on Facebook ... 

Another important marker in the rebirth of downtown Rockford was this afternoon's ribbon-cutting on the Indoor City Market -- made possible in part through state historic tax credits for projects that reclaim aging urban property like this extension of the popular outdoor City Market.

The Missing Person Table Ceremony at tonight's POW/MIA event at Loves Park City Hall. September 20th is national POW/MIA Recognition Day, an opportunity to honor the bravery of all former American prisoners of war while reaffirming our quest to locate the servicemen and women who remain missing in action. I was honored to present a Senate resolution recognizing this important ceremony.

HoopStars expands reach yet remains popular local event

 Senator Stadelman's HoopStars is still going strong. Labor Day marked the seven year for the free 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament, which has become an end-of-summer tradition for many families.

More than 250 players completed in boys and girls divisions in grades 3 to 8. Most of the young athletes were local, but the event this year drew players from as far away as Minneapolis and Miami.

Hundreds of parents, grandparents and siblings cheered from the sidelines at UW Health Sports Factory, our home since 2017 when HoopStars left outdoor courts at Davis Park.

"When we launched the competition in 2013, Labor Day was selected to help fill the void left by the loss of On The Waterfront," Stadelman said. "We continue to offer a positive, no-cost way for families to spend the holiday, and I remain most gratified by the diversity of the players and good-natured rivalry on the courts."

Winning teams left with championship medals, and every player took home a commemorative T-shirt produced by Rockford Art Deli. The event wouldn’t be possible without ongoing support of the Rockford Park District and generosity of ComEd, Comcast and Drive Right School of Driving.

HoopStars 2020 is schedule for Sept. 7!

New law expands insurance coverage of EpiPens for minors

Insurers will be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under a proposal supported by Senator Steve Stadelman and signed into law by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

"No child should face the dangerous consequences of being unable to arrest a serious allergic reaction simply because a family cannot afford the remedy," Stadelman said. "Allergies are on the rise, meaning more families depend on EpiPens."

Epinephrine injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen, deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

Haskell students say new playground rocks!

Senator Steve Stadelman joined students at Haskell Elementary School at recess last week to celebrate new playground equipment at the adjacent Terry Lee Wells Memorial Park.

Stadelman worked with Senator Dave Syverson to secure a $170,000 state grant to replace aging school playgrounds at Haskell and Lewis Lemon along with playgrounds on the grounds of the recently demolished Walker and White Swan elementary schools.

"It's fun and awesome, and it's big!" one of the Haskell students said during a video interview for Facebook.

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

 Steve Stadelman

Thanks to organizers of this morning's 9/11 ceremony at the emergency responders memorial in Rockford. On the 18th anniversary, we mourn the lives that were lost. We cherish the lives that were saved. We thank our first responders. But most of all, we remember. Also, congratulations to Rock Valley College student Joseph Krein who is the 2019 recipient of the 9/11 Memorial Scholarship. Joseph wants to be a firefighter, like his Dad.

State releases $14.7 million owed to Rockford airport

Money was delayed for years during Rauner administration

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced last week the release of  $14.7 million that has been held up for years for improvements at the Rockford airport.Making good on the state's funding commitment had long been a priority for Stadelman, who worked to include the $14.7 in this year's budget. 

“Our airport is major driver of economic development in the region," Stadelman said. "It is important the state honor its commitment, as the airport continues to expand operations and grow in prominence."

The funding had been promised for the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, but never materialized after Bruce Rauner became governor and Illinois endured a paralyzing two-year budget impasse. The airport took out commercial loans to finish construction of the MRO at a cost of up to $100,000 in monthly interest payments.

Stadelman commends Gov. JB Pritzker for helping resolve the issue and Comptroller Susana Mendoza for releasing the funds.

Sexual harassment reforms, minimum teacher salary signed into law 
Stadelman co-sponsored workplace protections
Private-sector workers who experience sexual harassment and discrimination will have greater protections under the law thanks to a major piece of legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that recently was signed into law.

Stadelman called the legislation a "just and proactive" response to the many victims, advocates and members of the business community who offered testimony during the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention’s hearings last year.

Among the reforms: 

• Limiting the use of contract provisions intended to prevent an employee from reporting sexual harassment, such as non-disclosure agreements, arbitration clauses and non-disparagement clauses for cases involving harassment, discrimination and retaliation
• Clarifying that it is illegal to discriminate against an employee who is perceived to be part of a protected class (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity), even if they are not
• Allowing victims of gender-related violence to take unpaid leave from work to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning and other assistance
• Requiring hotels and casinos to provide employees who work in isolated spaces with panic buttons for use if they are sexually harassed or assaulted

Minimum salary increase first for teachers since 1980

Teachers will see an increase to their minimum salary under a new law supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman and signed last week by Gov. JB Pritzker, the first time Illinois has addressed base wages for educators since 1980. Stadelman said House Bill 2078 is one way to confront a serious statewide teacher shortage.

House Bill 2078 will raise the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 over a four-year period from the current $10,000 for entry-level educators with bachelor's degrees. Wage increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index and subject to annual review by the General Assembly review, beginning in 2020. Projected base salaries under the new law are: 

• $32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year;
• $34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year;
• $37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year; and
• $40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.

Stadelman gets A+ on environment

Last call for basketball!

Legislation allowing Rockford to raise license fees for video gaming machines signed into law

Bill will help Rockford balance budget, hold line on property taxes 

The City of Rockford can raise license fees on video gaming machines thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that has been signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“Rockford should be allowed to raise a small fee to a modest one,” Stadelman said. “The extra revenue will help the city balance its budget and hold the line on property taxes.”

Senate Bill 1558 was brought to Senator Stadelman by Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara due to Rockford’s status as a non-home rule municipality, meaning the city needs state approval to raise the fees, unlike similar-sized cities like Peoria, Aurora or Springfield. Currently, non-home rule cities cannot charge more than $25 annually for a video gaming machine license. SB 1558 would raise that limit to $250 in Rockford only. 

"I'm pleased the governor has signed this bill of Senator Stadelman's, making this a reality," Mayor McNamara said. "This brings our fees in line with other municipalities and will provide the city with much needed revenue."

The legislation took effect immediately.

Stadelman bill to stop motorists from watching videos while driving signed by governor

Illinois motorists cannot watch videos while driving as a result of a road safety measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman and recently signed into law. Senate Bill 86, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2020, clarifies the state's existing hands-free law, which is often looked upon mostly as a ban on cell phones.

Stadelman's legislation emphasizes that drivers are prohibited from using any electronic device -- including laptops, tablets, video games and pagers -- while behind the wheel and that streaming video is expressly forbidden.

"As smart phones get smarter and streaming speeds get faster, more people watch video programming 'on the go' rather than in their living rooms," Stadelman said. "That's fine if you're waiting for a bus or standing in a grocery checkout, but not if you're operating a vehichle. A person driving 70 miles per hour who looks down at their phone for 5 seconds has traveled over 150 yards. The amount of damage you can cause in that distance is far too great for us to not do anything.”

Nine people are killed every day in the United States from distracted driving, according to the Center for Disease Control. Almost 40 percent of unsafe driving behavior monitored by the EverQuote’s EverDrive app was caused by phone use.  

HoopStars returns for 7^th year

Sports Factory again hosts free Labor Day youth tourney

Hundreds of boys and girls can spend Labor Day on the basketball court at Senator Stadelman’s HoopStars, a free 3-on-3 tournament taking place for the seventh time Sept. 2. Online registration is open now through game day at www.senatorstadelman.com, Stadelman announced today. 

The event has drawn as many as 400 players in 3^rd through 8^th grades. Since 2017, games have taken place on 16 courts at the UW Sports Factory in downtown Rockford.

“As summer ends and the school year begins, our tournament provides a positive, no-cost activity for young athletes,” Stadelman said. “We’ve become a Labor Day tradition for some families, thanks to the continued support of the Rockford Park District and faithful financial contributors like ComEd and Comcast.”  

NO FEES are charged to play in the single-elimination, two-game minimum competition. All players receive free commemorative event T-shirts, and winning teams take home medals. Doors open at 11 a.m. for teams registering late or wanting to warm up before the 1 p.m. start. Parking is free, and refreshments are available for purchase.

Stadelman launched the tournament in 2013, his first year in elected office. The inaugural games took place at Patriots Gateway before moving outdoors to Davis Park.