SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined several of his colleagues and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association as well as the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council to unveil a package of proposals to support, fund and provide law enforcement officers with resources to serve and protect communities.

“These proposals to support public safety and law enforcement members will benefit our communities,” Stadelman said. “There are key areas that we can reform our response to addressing crime that will ultimately help and greatly increase the effectiveness, attentiveness and well-being of our law enforcement.”

The package aims to provide solutions to several of the problems law enforcement officers are facing including assisting departments with new grant opportunities, providing departments with additional tools to investigate crimes and helping departments utilize resources to address inmate mental health concerns.

Additionally, in an effort to prioritize equal pay in the criminal justice system, an initiative would require counties to pay sheriffs at least 80% of the state’s attorney’s salary.

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SPRINGFIELD – When survivors of abuse or domestic violence are in need of a protective order, they often hesitate due to the agonizing trauma it stirs up, or worse, out of fear of being stopped by their abuser. To give survivors a safer, more comfortable way to file for a protective order, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is leading a measure to allow people to request such documentation through virtual means.

“Survivors of abuse and domestic violence often face much grief and trauma about their situation – regardless of how much time has passed,” Stadelman said. “Having to face someone and talk about what they’ve gone through can be extremely difficult – bringing that trauma to the forefront of their mind. By allowing people to file for orders of protection at home, survivors will feel safer and more comfortable.”

 Stadelman’s measure would give people the option to file a protective order by email or online, in addition to in-person. The measure would also require any court in a county with a population above 250,000 to offer the option of a remote hearing to the petitioner for a protective order. Both the petitioner and the respondent would be allowed to appear for related hearings remotely or in-person.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement regarding the governor’s proposed budget:

“As our communities, working families and small businesses continue to face grave financial struggles brought forth by the ongoing pandemic, it is vital we provide them with tax relief. This budget does just that — by ensuring families are taken care of, while continuing to fully fund our K-12 education system and other important items to help our state thrive.”

“This budget is a great first step, and I look forward to ongoing negotiations in the weeks to come.”

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ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement after the Illinois Gaming Board voted 4-0 to approve 815 Entertainment and Hard Rock for a permanent casino in Rockford.

“This is a day many in the Rockford area have been waiting for since the legislature approved an expansion of casino licenses two years ago,” Stadelman said. “As we’ve seen with the recently opened temporary casino, the new Hard Rock casino will create more tourism and economic development in the area.”

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