State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) secured passage of legislation today that extends the River Edge Historic Preservation Tax Credit for four more years starting in January 2018.

Stadelman passed a measure in December extending the tax credit, originally set to expire Jan. 1, 2017, until Jan. 1, 2018. Today’s vote allows the credit to last through January 2022.

“The tax credit has already incentivized hundreds of millions of dollars of development in Rockford alone,” Stadelman said. “This will help put crumbling infrastructure back to use, grow the economy and increase revenue.”

The credit has been an important economic tool for the revitalization of downtown Rockford, and is equal to 25 percent of the rehabilitation costs for a business in a historic building.  

Previously, the tax credit was used to incentivize projects like the $12 million renovation at the Prairie Street Brewhouse, which also created 110 construction jobs. In addition to Rockford, the credit is also available in Aurora, Peoria, Elgin and East St. Louis.

Senate Bill 1783 passed the Senate unanimously and will now move to the House for consideration.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) secured passage of legislation that protects the rights of consumers to leave honest online reviews of products and services without fear of retaliation.

The measure prevents companies and service providers from enforcing non-disparagement clauses included in sales contracts. Such clauses typically include language that prohibits consumers from leaving negative feedback about the retailer. Oftentimes, particularly online, a consumer must accept the terms of a contract before completing a purchase.

“Although I understand that businesses don’t want to be unfairly criticized, it is important to protect the right of the consumer to voice their opinion,” Stadelman said. “In many cases, people might not even realize they signed a non-disparagement agreement until a company takes action against them.”

Only two states – California and Maryland – have laws in place banning non-disparagement clauses. Illinois has general consumer protection laws in place that prohibit unfair business practices and fraud but do not specifically address non-disparagement clauses.

SB 1898 passed unanimously in the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) secured passage of legislation that will allow pharmacists to fill emergency prescriptions without a doctor’s authorization.  

Stadelman had a personal motivation for introducing the measure. His son, who was 13 at the time, realized during a family vacation that he had no insulin or needles to manage his Type 1 diabetes. Because it was a Saturday, the pharmacy they visited was unable to reach his doctor to authorize a prescription.

“This really drove home to me that getting a prescription filled quickly can be a matter of life or death,” Stadelman said. “I started to do research and saw that many other states allow emergency refills to take place.”

The legislation does not allow emergency refills of controlled substances and caps refills at 30 days.

SB 1790 passed unanimously in the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) secured passage of legislation today allowing domestic violence victims to continue using their cell phone plans after separating from their abusers.

“One of the reasons people stay in abusive relationships is financial dependence,” Stadelman said. “This legislation removes the roadblock of having to find the money to set up a new phone plan. Anything we can do to make it easier to leave is a positive step.”

The measure requires wireless providers to transfer the right to continue to use phone numbers on an account the victim shares with the abuser. Similar legislation was recently enacted in California, Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin.

“As we know, cell phones have become nearly essential in modern life,” Stadelman said. “This legislation allows men and women leaving abusive situations to keep their photos, addresses, contacts and emails, and to continue using their phone to seek housing and employment.”

The measure amends current law to allow victims to petition the court for the right to continue use of a phone number as part of a petition for an order of protection.

SB 57 passed unanimously in the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.