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.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman joined Governor Pritzker, AAR CORP and local officials to announce a $2.6 million investment into workforce training at the Rockford International Airport today.

"The Chicago-Rockford International Airport is a strong economic driver in the region, creating thousands of jobs," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "This investment in AAR supports the continued economic impact and job creation of the airport by creating a strong pipeline of aviation mechanics and expanding opportunities for Illinoisans."

Thursday’s announcement builds off the investment made last year to help bolster the AAR CORP’s workforce strategy and has allowed them to increase the number of aviation mechanics hired from 85 in 2019 to more than 350 today.

The total investment of $5.2 million from this year and last strengthens the aviation mechanic pipeline to meet the growing demand. Along with AAR’s workforce strategy, the state’s funding supports apprenticeship opportunities, training, hiring training personnel and bolstering partnerships with local colleges and high schools throughout Northern Illinois to bring in qualified aviation mechanics.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is excited to share the Illinois Department of Transportation’s announcement that Rockford and Boone County will be receiving $19 million in mass transit grants as a part of the historic Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“This investment to the Rockford Mass Transit District will support the community through more transit options as the new transit station will give riders a better place to commute,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “The Rebuild Illinois capital program has brought countless improvements to our communities with new facilities, green energy transportation efforts, and an increase in accessibility for our transit, I look forward to the improvements at the renovated Mulberry facility.”

Rockford Mass Transit District along with a total of 32 transit systems are receiving $113.8 million to advance 44 projects. Rockford received $16 million last year for the 520 Mulberry Street transit facility rehabilitation, renovation and expansion project and will receive another $16 million from the Rebuild Illinois grants announced today.

“The award of this state grant funding could not have come at a more crirical time in RMTD’s capital planning efforts, “ said Mike Stubbe, Executive Director of Rockford Mass Transit District. “This state infrastructure investment, paired with the availability of federal funds in the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will allow RMTD to plan on transitioning to zero emission vehicles with more certainty and immediacy, which is vital to the long-term health and quality of life in our Region.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman was sworn in for his 4^th term serving the 34^th Senate District on Wednesday. He released the following statement:

“It is always an honor to take the oath of office and I will continue to work and serve the people of the greater Rockford area. I will continue the efforts of working to address our state’s economy, fiscal responsibility, and improving access to health care and education within Illinois.

“I look forward to my continued work with my colleagues in Springfield as we tackle Illinois’ hard hitting problems and look for solutions that work for our communities in Rockford as well as around the state, I will continue listening and fighting for the people of the Rockford area and ensure their voice is heard in Springfield.”

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