ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman announced a $250 million investment from the ‘Smart Start Illinois’ program will be coming to children, families, teachers and child care providers across Illinois including the Nashold Early Childhood Center in Rockford.

“Continuing to grow access to quality and affordable child care is essential for bettering the lives of our children and students, while allowing families the freedom to continue work,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “It’s important to set kids up early for success, and with these investments into child care centers like Nashold, we can continue to assist our communities with growing, learning and developing.”

Smart Start Illinois demonstrates the state’s ongoing commitment to children, families, teachers, and child care providers. The $250 million investment in FY24 includes $75 million additional for the Early Childhood Block Grant, $130 million for nation-leading Childcare Workforce Compensation Contracts, $40 million for Early Intervention programs, and $5 million to expand the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Home Visiting Program so more families who want it can receive this early support.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the budget address given by Gov. JB Pritzker today, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) issued the following statement:

“I am pleased to hear Gov. Pritzker’s proposed budget prioritizes a commitment to economic development in struggling communities around the state.

“Our area has experienced a long and challenging recovery on the route back to normalcy. This budget ensures our struggling communities get the relief they need and will help them work toward restoring economic prosperity for working families.

“This budget invests $400 million in job creation and business development efforts across Illinois through the Invest in Illinois Act, and I look forward to helping our local businesses who are in need of help access these opportunities.

“In the upcoming months, I am excited to join my colleagues to negotiate a budget that works for all Illinoisans, provides avenues for our communities to see funds return and support our residents who need help the most.”

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$900,000 in construction work begins next week at state park

ROCKFORD -- Road and parking lot reconstruction, new bicycle lanes and directional signage are among improvements the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will begin making at Rock Cut State Park next week, according to Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman.

"Rock Cut has long been one of the most visited, if not the most visited, tourist site in our region. Because of its popularity and high visibility," Stadelman said, "it is imperative the state re-invest in and refresh this important public asset."

The project also includes culvert replacement and the addition of disabled access to the children's fishing pond.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded grants to 48 communities in need of lead service line replacements, including a $50,000 grant for the City of Rockford and $50,000 for the City of Belvidere.

“These funds will help communities identify the problems in their water systems and provide the knowledge of what needs fixed first,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “As we map out the service lines, our communities can figure out who needs help the most and which residents may be more at risk so we can act and fix the lines that need it most.”

The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act requires owners and operators of community water supplies in Illinois to submit a complete water service line material inventory for the Illinois EPA’s approval no later than April 15, 2024. The complete inventory must report the composition of all service lines within the CWS’s distribution system.