SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement after the Illinois Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget and revenue plan that focuses on education and efforts to help struggling communities:

“This is the biggest investment Illinois has made toward higher education in the last twenty years. Illinois is investing $350 million to the school funding formula that helps increase resources to the Rockford, Harlem and Belvidere school districts.

“Illinois is making smart investments in paying back our debts while continuing to invest in social, educational and community programs. We have made significant contributions toward SMART Start Illinois and continuing Early Childhood Block Grants to increase preschool availability and access.

“This budget supports businesses and Illinois’ status as a business leader across the nation. By continuing our workforce training and development programs, Illinois is carving a path for the revitalization of communities as we attract new businesses and jobs to our state.

“Illinois is continuing to invest by extending and increasing the Historic Preservation Tax Credits that have helped Rockford and other communities around the state fix up old buildings and put them back on the tax roll.

“I am proud to support this budget and look forward to the work we can do for the residents of Rockford and those all across Illinois.”

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ROCKFORD –- At least 960 lead municipal water lines will be replaced with $4 million in Illinois Environmental Protection Agency funding, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced today.

Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from water mains into homes. Many homes built before 1990 have lead service lines, which can corrode over time and release lead into drinking water.

"Lead is a toxin that can accumulate in the body and cause serious illness or even death," Stadelman said. "This funding protects public water supplies and helps Rockford and other cities across the state replace these aging water pipes before IEPA deadlines kick in."

ROCKFORD - Libraries in Rockford, Loves Park, Cherry Valley and Belvidere will benefit from $379,097 in state funds to purchase books and new technology, hire staff and offer digital access to patrons.

Public Library Per Capita Grants made through the Illinois Secretary of State were announced Monday. Based on population served, Rockford Public Library will get $219,000 that Director Lynn Stainbrook said will allow patrons to choose from an expanded and updated collection of reading materials.

"Without the support of the Secretary of State and State Legislature, our ability to buy new children's books, to update our nonfiction collection with accurate health, legal, business, even geographic information -- and to provide for the latest bestsellers -- would be greatly hampered."

ROCKFORD – To give local tourism efforts more support, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has granted over $50,000 to Winnebago County tourism organizations.

“Illinois is a great place to visit with iconic stops in so many cities across the state,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “From the Discovery Center Museum to Loves Park, our community has so much to offer. I look forward to the support these grants will bring.”

The Route 66 Grant Program and the Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program will support the following organizations in the 34^th district:

• Discovery Center Museum of Rockford - $30,355
• Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden - $10,000
• Loves Park - $10,000