Stadelman scores $600,000 for youth sports park

State Senator Steve Stadelman helped the Rockford Park District youth sports teams kickoff their NFL Flag Football and NFL Flag Cheer summer season Saturday, where he also discussed $600,000 in state funding he has secured for improvements at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park.
 
Funds secured by Stadelman will help pay for new scoreboards, beachers, asphalt paths and fencing as part of a $3 million upgade of the youth sports complex that also will include a stadium with an artifical turf football field and eight-lane track.
 
"I place a high value on the role athletics can play in the development of our youth, and I salute the Rockford Park District for its investment in Rockford's southwest side. Every family, regardless of zip code, needs and deserves quality public sports and recreation facilities," Stadelman said. "I will continue working to deliver state resources for local park projects that improve our quality of live and contributed to the economic growth of our community."
 
Recent projects that Stadelman delivered state funding for include $2.5 million that kept Riverview Ice House from closing and more than $250,000 to reopen Sand Park Pool in Loves Park.
 
"Senator Stadelman is a park champion," Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine said. "He's taking action to make sure area youth and teens have new and improved recreation opportunities in Rockford."
 

Times Theater wins $500,000 more for renovation thanks to Stadelman

The historic Times Theater in downtown Rockford will receive another $500,000 to help bring the long-vacant venue back to life. State Senator Steve Stadelman secured the additional funding in the state's fiscal 2024 budget, which takes effect July 1.

A subsidiary of Joseph James Partners is planning a $14 million renation of the Times, built in 1938, as a mid-sized performance space with 650 to 900 seats.

"We are grateful for Senator Stadelman's support of this project that will not only aid in the further revitalization of Rockford's urban core but also have a positive impact on our region," Joseph James President and CEO Peter Provenzano said. "The Times Theater is like many historic preservation projects across the country, where private and public funding is needed."

Stadelman's latest contribution to the project cmes after he helped deliver a $3 million Rebuilding Downtowns and Main Streets grant and $500,000 in Tourism Attractions and Festivals money. He called the Times project a "strategic piece of the Main Street entertainment corridor" that includes the BMO Center, landmark Coronado Performing Arts Center and the Rockford Public Library Nordlof Center "as well as the overall transformation of downtown." 

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman
June 21st at 4:45 PM

Great conversation today at the first post-pandemic, in-person meeting of Miracle Mile Rockford. I updated the business association on passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago (an operator will be named soon) and efforts to reopen the Stellantis assembly plant in Belvidere ($1 billion in state and local incentives offered so far) along with reviewing the many opportunities for small businesses available through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Steve Stadelman
June 19th at 9:52 PM

The Rockford Juneteenth Celebration and the SOGN "YES" Club's event helped bring the community together today. Thanks to Tommy Meeks for organizing the longest running Juneteenth celebration in the state! And thanks to Carl Cole and Dianna Cole for recognizing me with the YES Club's "Golden Eagle" Award!

Steve Stadelman
June 15th at 7:02 PM

The Rockford Mass Transit District is "plugging-in" its 6 new electric-powered buses! The vehicles will hit the roads as soon as next week as RMTD gradually transitions (with help from state funding) from older, diesel-fueled buses to the new battery-powered ones. They greatly reduce carbon emissions and are much more quiet to ride!