An abandoned Illinois Railway bridge just south of downtown Rockford will get new life as a bicycle/pedestrian path. The repurposed bridge will connect a planned hotel development with the indoor sports complex set for the former Ingersoll Building, a plan championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

"This plan is yet another step in making downtown Rockford a more vibrant place to live and work," said Stadelman, the vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. "By adding this important piece of infrastructure, residents and visitors alike will see an immediate benefit."

The cost of the bridge refurbishment is about $925,000 and is funded by the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, a state program that uses federal money for such projects. The bridge also is part of a longer-term plan to further increase bicycle connectivity in the Rockford area. City engineer Matthew Vitner says the bridge also will connect with bicycle paths from the across the river to Davis Park as well as eventually becoming part of the Grand Illinois Trail.

Construction on the bridge is expected to begin this summer and finish by the end of the year.

SPRINGFIELD–State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced legislation through the Illinois Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee today that would make it easier for victims of domestic violence to move into a safe environment. The proposal gives victims up to 60 days to pay their initial deposit on gas, electric and water bills.

Many domestic violence victims are forced to stay in dangerous environments because they don’t have the resources to leave. Under Stadelman’s legislation, the deposits must still be paid, but victims will have more time to prepare their finances so they can move out.

“One of the top reasons domestic violence victims stay in these situations is because they can’t afford to leave. This legislation gives them additional time to get their finances in order to pay for some of their most basic needs, electricity and water. I hope this will encourage more victims to move to a safe environment,” said Stadelman.

The legislation passed committee unanimously, and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.

SPRINGFIELD–State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey in the Illinois Senate Revenue Committee to testify in support of extending the River Edge Historic Tax Credit. The credit is equal to 25 percent of the cost of the rehabilitation and can be utilized in Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford.

In Rockford, the existing tax credit has already created 110 construction jobs and led to the $12 million renovation of the Prairie Street Brewhouse.

“Thanks to this tax credit, we have already seen multi-million dollar investments create jobs and grow the tax revenue for our community. I’m fighting to extend this credit to promote additional investment and job growth in Rockford,” said Stadelman.

If the credit is not extended, the future of another major project, the Ziock Building rehabilitation, may become uncertain.

“The proposed plans to rehab the Ziock Building into a hotel and convention center would create new jobs and tax revenue for our community. The additional tourists the hotel could attract to visit our topnotch sports facilities and other amenities would create a tourism boom in Rockford’s economy,” said Morrissey.

Stadelman’s legislation will be brought to a vote in an upcoming Senate Committee.