ROCKFORD – Fulfilling the evidence-based funding commitment for Illinois schools, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that school districts in the 34^th District will receive over $5 million additional dollars to help address the financial challenges schools have faced.

“Illinois students deserve the best educational opportunities and with the evidence-based funding formula we are ensuring our schools have the tools they need,” said Stadelman (D-Chicago). “I am glad we have made it a priority to fund schools across Illinois to ensure that more educational opportunities are available to students.”

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 its 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.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula include:

• Belvidere Community Unit School District 100: $2,381,222
• Rockford Public Schools: $2,920,485
• Harlem School District 122: $400,956
• Alternative and Safe Schools Programs (Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education): $27,330

ROCKFORD – Local restaurants and hotels in and around Rockford will receive $1,228,157.04 in funding through the Back to Business grant program to help facilitate their recovery thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“We are still feeling the impact around the state from the troublesome years of the pandemic,” Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “Through this program we have delivered funding to businesses around the state in an effort to bounce back from the pandemic, and with today’s investment, we are showing local restaurants that Illinois has their back.”

“Words alone can’t describe how much relief this B2B Grant Award means for us!  It’s a much needed lifeline that will help us get thru these ever changing times and tough challenges we face as small business operators.” Anthony DiTullio, owner of DiTullio’s said. “We’re so grateful to be a recipient of this State of Illinois, DCEO Grant Award Partnership Program with Senator Stadelman.”

Restaurants and hotels in and around the Rockford area receiving Back to Business grants include:

People who are eligible to have their criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case for review by a judge during State Senator Steve Stadelman's 2023 Second Chances Summit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 13 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

Stadelman will announce the opening of registration at a news conference Sunday. To sign up for the free legal consultation, visit www.senatorstadelman.com.

SECOND CHANCES SUMMIT 2023

News Conference

1:30 PM SUNDAY AUGUST 13

EJ Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford (Lower Level Atrium)

More than 300 people met one-on-one with volunteer attorneys during the previous summits in 2022, 2019 and 2018. Stadelman's office receives requests to repeat the event on a regular basis, but attempts in 2020 and 2021 were called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression, often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. "Illinois law allows people who meet certain criteria to seek judicial relief, and we all benefit as a result.”

Retired 17^th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Collins and an attorney for event partner Prairie State Legal Services will join Stadelman at the news conference. Collins, who volunteered at last year’s summit, will encourage local attorneys to contribute their time and expertise. Prairie State provides free event training that volunteer attorneys can use toward the state's continuing education requirements for lawyers.

Interested attorneys can enroll in the training session online at www.senatorstadelman.com or by calling 815-985-2902.