Stadelman sworn in for 4th term
State Senator Steve Stadelman took the oath of office this week for his fourth term in the Illinois General Assembly, vowing he will "continue listening to and advocating for the people of the Rockford area to ensure their voices are heard in Springfield.”
"People who live in the 34th District have strong, diverse and often competing beliefs and interests. That makes my job easier but, at times, more challenging," said Stadelman, first elected in 2012 after a 25-year career as a local television journalist and news anchor. It's an honor to be sworn in to represent them for another term."
Stadelman cited fiscal responsibility and ongoing efforts to improve Illinois' economy and access to quality health care and education within the state as priorities for him during the next two years.
Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony took place at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his "A House Divided Cannot Stand" speech. Senator Stadelman is pictured below with his oldest son, Austin Stadelman.
Stadelman: $400-million 'closing' fund provides another tool to secure Stellantis jobs
Illinois lawmakers this week approved a $400-million Large Business Attraction Fund that State Senator Steve Stadelman argues could give Illinois the competitive flexibility to fashion individual development packages statewide and could benefit the local economy in finalizing a deal to prevent closure of the Stellantis Assembly Plant in Belvidere.
The $400 million, also known as a "closing fund," is being established primarily to enhance the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, a stimulus package Stadelman co-sponsored in 2021 along with two subsequent expansions in 2022. REV aims to make Illinois a hub for electric vehichle and battery production with tax credits and other incentives to attract EV businesses from other states and help automakers already in Illinois retool for the EV market.
Stellantis announed in late 2022 a decision to idle production of the Jeep Cherokee in February.
The "closing fund" will be administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and likely be offered to large employers in the form of low-interest loans. Stadelman called the fund "another tool to help put Illinois on the cutting edge of the EV industry and its promise of jobs that are good for the environment and hard-working families."
Gun safety, reproductive health legislation approved in both chambers
Before the 103th General Assembly convened Wednesday, the outgoing 102nd General Assembly also passed legislation to protect women's reproductive health decisions from out-of-state interference and enact historic gun safety measures in the wake of the July 4 parade massacre in suburban Chicago.
"No right is absolute. Most people agree with current restrictions that don't allow someone to walk down the street with a fully-automatic machine gun," Stadelman said. "Semi-automatic weapson can also cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time as happened in Highland Park last summer. "I don't believe there should be a legal capability for a 21-year-old kid to use a weapon that fired 83 shots and killed and injured more than 50 people in a matter of minutes."
Reproductive health legislation passed by the 102nd General Assembly would shield patients, doctors and other care providers from legal action by other states that have banned abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June.
"As women from other states travel to Illinois for reproductive health procedures, we must ensure our system has the capacity to provide quality, safe care and a comfortable, non-threatening enviroment for Illinois patients, visiting patients and the medical professionals treating them," Stadelman said.
Virtual public meeting on I-39 expansion set for Wednesday
Learn more about the reconstruction of Interstate 39 from Blackhawk Road to the U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange during a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 18. Advance registration is required to attend.
A question-answer session will follow a formal presentation where the Illinois Department of Transportation will explain aspects of the project including:
- Reconstructing the I-39/U.S. 20 interchange and expanding the I-39 northbound and southbound ramps from one to two lanes.
- Widening I-39 to three lanes plus an auxiliary lane near the U.S. 20/Harrison Ave. terminus.
- Replacing 15 bridges including the U.S. 20 crossing over the Kishwaukee River and bridges at Perryville and Mulford Roads crossing I-39.
- Expanding U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue to three lanes in each direction from west of South Mall Drive to east of Mill Road.
- Relocating of the Cherry Valley Path under I-39 at Madigan Creek and adding a shared use path along the north side of Harrison Avenue.
For more information on the project, click on the I-39 corridor logo below:
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