To ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman championed a new law that requires hospitals to be more explicit about the fees included in their services.

“Seeking medical help is already expensive,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Hospitals shouldn’t be tacking on fees to patients bills without prior discussion about costs.”

The new law requires hospitals to develop a policy to inform patients they may be charged a facility fee, if applicable, for outpatient services separate from a professional fee. Facility fees are charges imposed by health care facilities for the use of their space, equipment and administrative services, whereas professional fees cover the cost of the professional providing the care. The lack of transparency between the two has made patients feel like they are being double charged for their visit.

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced four school districts will receive over $22.4 million in evidence-based funding, in addition to the base funding that the state provides.

“Since the implementation of the EBF formula, I have seen how these funds have positively impacted our local schools in the Rockford region,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This funding is necessary for schools, especially in underserved areas, in order to provide adequate resources to staff and students, on top of ensuring children are receiving a top-notch education.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

With other states reporting a rise in drivers concealing or switching their license plates to avoid legal repercussions, a measure from State Senator Steve Stadelman has been signed into law that explicitly bans license plate flippers.

“All drivers need to be held to the same standards on the road,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “People shouldn’t be using plate flippers to skip tolls, dodge cameras or evade police.”

The new law builds on current regulations, clarifying that the use of tape or flippers on any registration plate and any other evidence of registration issued by the Illinois Secretary of State is illegal. A license plate flipper is a device that allows drivers – with the push of a button – to obscure their license plates, often used to avoid identification when committing traffic violations. Illinois joins the expanding number of states in outlawing license plate flippers.

“Banning plate flippers will hold bad actors accountable on our roads,” said Stadelman. “This law not only protects the public and other drivers, it promotes responsible driving.”

Senate Bill 1883 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

State Senator Steve Stadelman read "Jabari Jumps" about a youngster gathering the courage to take his first plunge of a high diving board, to dozens of students who then enjoyed a pizza party to celebrate the conclusion of Stadelman's fifth Summer Book Club reading challenge.

Sixty-eight students at the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford Stenstrom Unit read 8 books over six weeks. The reading challenge, open to all students in the 34th Senate District, has been based at Stenstrom for the last four years, but Stadelman is hosting a SECOND PIZZA PARTY at 2:15 PM TOMORROW, Aug. 1, for a smaller book club at Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave. 

Students who met the reading challenge also received Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Senate.

"It's important for students to keep up their reading skills over the summer," Stadelman said. "Most kids love a challenge and love pizza, so the book club encourages them read more than they might otherwise when they're not in school."