Stadelman-secured $600,000 helps pave way for new, youth-focused YMCA branch
YMCA of Rock River Valley broke ground this week on a $3 million conversion of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd into a Rockton Avenue branch and home for its Y Achievers program at West Middle School across the street. The new facility is being made possible in part through $600,000 in funding secured by State Senator Steve Stadelman.
Work has begun to build a member-based multi-use gym for basketball and pickleball, fitness center and exercise studio for adult classes, maker space and fully-equipped kitchen. Other upgrades will include an expansion of "Molina's Closet," which provides free toiletries and household items for youth and families served by the Y. Under a unique partnership agreement with the Y, the church congregation will continue to conduct services its small chapel.
The project is part of a larger capital campaign also funding expansion of Swedish American Riverfront YMCA. To contribute, visit: https://rockriverymca.org/elevatecampaign/.
Cherry Valley constructs new emergency command with $250,000 awarded by Stadelman
If tragedy strikes in Cherry Valley, emergency responders from multi jurisdictions soon will have a place to plug in laptops and get to work jointly assisting those in need as a result of $250,000 in funds awarded by State Senator Steve Stadelman.
State Senator Steve Stadelman and local news media joined Cherry Valley Police Chief Todd Stockburger and others village officials for a tour of Unified Command Center taking shape in a former squad room. The renovation, being financed entirely with Rebuild Illinois money designated by Stadelman, will allow multiple agencies plug-in capabilities for their own laptops and provide large-monitor viewing of drone feeds, surveillance footage or other images during natural disasters and police or fire emergencies.
"Without Senator Stadelman, we simply wouldn't have the finances to do something like this," Village Administrator Jim Claeyssen said. "We sit right on the Winnebago-Boone county line, and we interact with agencies from both sides of the line all of the time. With all of the expansion in this area in the last few years and more growth on the way, the need is definitely there."
State Senator Steve Stadelman announced this week that Stroll on State festival in Rockford has received a $100,000 grant to improve and expand the popular holiday event.
“Festivals bring people together and foster a sense of community,” Stadelman said. “This funding will go a long way to ensure that everyone who visits the holiday festival has a magical experience.”
More than $4.5 million was awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to local tourism organizations across the state under the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program. Stroll on State is produced by the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“This funding will help bring more people to Rockford to experience this event – in turn growing our local economy and creating jobs,” said Stadelman, "and this program will revitalize the tourism industry and promote growth and sustainability statewide."
Stadelman bill would shield election workers from harrassment
State Senator Steve Stadelman is leading a measure to protect election workers from threats and harassment by fining violators as much as $1,000.
“Election workers are the backbone of our democracy,” Stadelman said. “People working for elections should be able to perform their jobs without coercion or threat of violence.”
Senate Bill 2932 would prohibit people from intimidating or threatening an election worker with the intent to interfere with their election-related duties. A person who violates these provisions would be guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
According to the Brennan Center, nearly one in three election officials have been harassed, abused or threatened because of their job.
“Election workers play a crucial role in protecting the integrity of our democratic process,” Stadelman said. “We must do what we can to safeguard the rights of election workers and ensure they can perform their jobs without interference.”
SB 2932 was assigned to the Senate Subcommittee on Elections.
