Stadelman applauds state investment in local roads at ribbon-cutting

State Senator Steve Stadelman credited the Illinois General Assembly'sapproval of the six-year Rebuild Illinois capital plan in 2019 as the vehicle that made possible the complete reconstruction of West State Street as a modern, multi-model transportation corridor.

"This is how you move the city forward; this is how you move the state forward -- with infrasturcture. When you have investment in public infrasture, private investments follow," Stadelman said today during a ribbon-cutting on the final, $6.5-million section from Day Avenue to Independence Avenue.

West State, also known as U.S. Business 20, expanded from two to four lanes along wiith the addition of a bike path, sidewalks, landscaped median and decorative lighting. Sewer lines also were replaced as part of what Stadelman called a long-overdue investment in an overlooked part of Rockford.

Planning for the West State rebuild began in 2004 .Members of the West Gateway Coalition neighborhood group joined state and local officials for the ribbon-cutting.

Other local projects being funded under Rebuild Illinois include $227 million to expand I-39 from Blackhawk Road to Harrison Avenue-U.S. 20 and reconstruct that interchange.   

Click on top photo to view video from ribbon-cutting:

Round 2 opens this week for electric vehicle rebates in Illinois: Stadelman

State Senator Steve Stadelman is promoting the second round of funding through the Illinois Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program, which opened this week.

The program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which Stadelman supported in the General Assembly in 2021. More recently, Stadelman and State Rep. Dave Vella sponsored and passed legislation that provides corporate incentives for retooling the Belvidere assemly plant and and for attracting supply business as automakers transition to electrive vehicles.

Under CEJA, Illinois residents who purchase an all-electric passenger vehicle within 90 days of a funding round are eligible to apply for a rebate:

  *   $4,000 for an all-electric vehicle. (Note: The vehicle must be exclusively powered and refueled by electricity, plug in for charging and be licensed to drive on public roads. Electric mopeds, electric off-highway vehicles, hybrid electric or extended range electric vehicles that are also equipped with conventional fueled propulsion or auxiliary engines are not eligible.)

  *    $1,500 rebate is available for the purchase of an all-electric motorcycle.

Individuals can access and complete an application online. Applications must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2023.

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Steve Stadelman
November 3 at 8:41 PM

Thank you to Andrew Drea with the Illinois Attorney General's Office for a leading an informative discussion this evening on laws protecting employees in our state. If you or anyone you know would like to know more, call the Workplace Rights Bureau hotline at 844-740-5076 or visit https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights/labor_employ.html to download a complaint form. Thank you also to Rockford Public Library for use of its East Branch Community Room!