State mobilizing 'all available resources' in tornado recovery: Stadelman
State Senator Steve Stadelman joined Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau to survey damage at the Apollo Theater in downtown Belvdiere, where one concertgoer died and nearly 50 were injured -- including five critically --when a tornado caused the roof to collapse a week ago today.
"Our hearts go out to everyone who is suffering because of this catastrophe," Stadelman said. "We're working to deliver all available resources to help Belvidere recover and save this historic building, which has been part of the fabric of Belvidere for more than 100 years."
View extended video coverage on abc7chicago.com.
Pritzker announced at a news conference during the Sunday visit his issue of a disaster proclamation for the Boone County that would unlock state financial assistance and possibly open the door to federal aid. An estimated 260 people were attending a metal concert when the tornado hit March 31.
Built in 1921 in what is now the North State Street Historic District, the Apollo was ravaged by fire in 1975 and languished until a 2001 renovation and reopening by the current owner.
Bridge replacement begins multi-year I-39 rebuild
An $8 million replacement of the Perryville Road bridge over Interstate 39 signals the start of a much-needed, multi-year widening and reconstruction of the highway, State Senator Steve Stadelman said during a news conference this week at Cherry Valley Elementary School. The widening of I-39 will alliviate bottlenecks between U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road, Stadelman said, at a total projected cost of $227 million.
Perryville is expected to remain closed to traffic between Mill Road and Armer Drive until the bridge work finished near the end of the year. An average of 8,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily before construction began.
$175 million recovery funds available to restaurants, hotels and arts venues
Illinois opened another round of Back to Business grants for restaurants, hotels and creative arts organizations this week. Applications can be submitted through May for $175 million in recovery funds. The state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has enlisted a robust network of more than 100 community navigators to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance in the hardest hit communities.
Click on the B2B logo for more information and eligibity requirements:
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Steve Stadelman
April 4 at 6:18 PM
Rockford is fortunate to be one of only four UPS regional air hubs, especially when you consider the other three are in much larger communities -- Dallas, Philadelphia and Louisville. State Reps. Dave Vella, Maurice A. West and I toured the 922,000-square-foot sorting facility today and received an update on operations. UPS employs 2,500 workers year-round and another 1,000 during the holiday season, where they unload and reload cargo flights in 38 minutes!
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