Stadelman: Budget proposal focuses on working families, tax relief
State Senator Steve Stadelman released the following statement in response this week's budget proposal from the governor:
“As our communities, working families and small businesses continue to face grave financial struggles brought forth by the ongoing pandemic, it is vital we provide them with tax relief. This budget does just that — by ensuring families are taken care of, while continuing to fully fund our K-12 education system and other important items to help our state thrive. This budget is a great first step, and I look forward to ongoing negotiations in the weeks to come.”
Click on the screen capture below for additional comment on the budget.
State offers free home COVID tests in priority zip codes
If you live in a local zip code determined to be high risk for COVID-19, you're now eligible to receive free home testing kids. Based on mostly on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), priority zip codes include: 61101, 61102, 61103, 61104 in Rockford and 61111 in Loves Park.
Go to www.AccessCovidTests.org to order a free test kit.
- Each household will receive 1 kit with five tests within one to two weeks after ordering.
- No payment information is required — both the tests and shipping are free to eligible residents.
- The program is currently limited to one order per residential address.
The free test kits are possible through a partnership between the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Bidding for state construction jobs taught in IDOT workshops
Companies interested in participating in the state's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program can sharpen their skills in bidding on state construction projects during "Building Blocks for Success," a series of free virtual workshops being offered in February by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Workshop dates and topics are:
- Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to noon: Basic Math for Pay Items -1
- Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon: Basic Math for Pay Items - 2
- Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to noon: Basic Math for Pay Items - 3
- Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to noon: Meet the RE, Construction Supervisor and the Bureau Chief of Construction
- Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to noon: What Banks Look for: Basic Requirements
- Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to noon: Understanding How Banks Make Lending Decisions
Building Blocks of Success will continue through April. Future topics include financing, QuickBooks training, estimating and bidding, insurance, management, steps needed to be certified as a DBE firm and more. Advance registration is required. Questions? Call IDOT at (312) 939.1100.
February 1 at 5:59 PM
Representatives of the Northern Stateline Economic Development team, based at the Zeke Giorgi Center in Rockford, met yesterday with Rockford's state legislative delegation and Chamber of Commerce executives to discuss Illinois Department of Commercenand Economic Opportunity programs that beneift our reach. The team includes Tiana Joy McCall and Matthew J. Simpson!
Steve Stadelman
February 1 at 2140 PM
Today is National Unclaimed Property Day! Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs runs a very proactive program, and I know many people I represent in the Illinois Senate have located and successfully claimed assets they didn't know they had through his office. Look for yourself: www.illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH.
