Public meeting to provide opportunity for feedback on passenger rail
Learn more about the return of passenger rail service between Rockford, Belvidere and Chicago at a public meeting next week. The open house-style meeting from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St. in downtown Rockford will included a repeating presentation, exhibit boards and an opportunity to ask questions.
More infomation is available at www.chicagotorockfordrail.orgon the Illinois Department of Transportation website. IDOT conducted a similar meeting took place last week in Belvidere.
State Senator Steve Stadelman was joined in July by government officials and industry executives to announce Metra will operate passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago. With stations in downtown Rockford and downtown Belvidere, the return of passenger rail will be a game-changer, spurring economic development across northern Illinois. The announcement marked an important step in passenger rail becoming a reality. Work begins soon on required track upgrades and other improvements.
Passenger rail has been a top priority for Senator Stadelman, started with the $275 million he secured to pay for the project.
Summit sign-up closes Friday
The deadline to sign up for Senator Stadelman's 2023 SecondChancesSummit is Friday, September 22, or as long as remaining appointments are available. The one-day outreach event provides an opportunity for people to improve their lives by removing old criminal offenses from their record.
At the summit, those who qualify under Illinois law to have offenses expunged or sealed meet one-on-one with a free attorney who prepares a petition for judicial relief. This year's summit is Friday, October 13, at the Rockford Public Library Nordlof Center.
Stadelman has partnered with Prairie State Legal Services to offer three previous summits to help people whose past transgressions -- often decades old -- prevent them from obtaining employment and housing or advancing their education.
Click below to register:
In case you missed me on Facebook ...
Steve Stadelman
September 15 at 8:44 PM
What a difference a few months can make. The Apollo Theatre AC is restored following this spring's tornado damage.
Steve Stadelman is at Keye Mallquist Park
September 16 at 8:22 PM
A big 
to Rockford Alderman Isidro Barrios for the great turnout at the 11th Ward Parade & Festival!
Congratulations to Rockford's Zion Lutheran Church as it celebrated its 140th Anniversary with a banquet. Pleased to present Pastor Michael Thomas and church leaders with a State of Illinois proclamation for Zion's incredible milestone!
Steve Stadelman
September 10 at 11:02 AM
Another jam-packed Tamale Fest of Rockford! Great tamales, Aztec dancing, Mexican wrestling, car display and much more! Pleased to present organizer Manny Salgado a State of Illinois recognition for all he does for our community.
Tamale Fest of Rockford
Katy Rourke Abbott
Wow! That's awesome!
Steve Stadelman
September 9 at 1:46 PM
Congrats to Brooke Road United Methodist Church on the opening of its new Brooke Road Community Center! Besides services that include a computer lab and Zumba classes, the center will also focus on improving literacy in the community.
