Stadelman questions Mercyhealth integrity at virtual hearing
State Senator Steve Stadelman testified during a virtual hearing Wednesday that Mercyhealth isn't living up to its promise to operate two equal campuses, a promise made in obtaining state approval to build Javon Bea Hospital on East Riverside Boulevard at the northeast edge of Rockford.
Mercy's request to remove 70 inpatient surgical beds from its Rockton Avenue campus is only the latest in an erosion of services on the disadvantaged westside, Stadelman told the Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board. Trauma services were eliminated at the Rockton campus at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and a 20-bed inpatient mental health unit later was closed, among other losses.
"Mercy officials said it was important not to abandon the Rockton campus because of the hospital's impacy on West Rockford; however, I fear -- and many in that part of the community fear -- that's exactly what's been slowly happening," Stadelman testified. "Many in the community feel victim to what can be discribed as a bait-and-switch strategy at retail stores. You're promised one thing, but it turns out to be a much different product when you get there."
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Stadelman, collagues address public corruption loophole
State Senator Steve Stadelman and other lawmakers representing the Rockford area in Springfield joined local prosecutors Wednesday to announce state legislation to a sideline elected officials who've been charged with crimes that could jeopardize the performance of their public duties.
The legislation -- filed by Stadelman, State Senator Dave Syverson and State Representatives Maurice West and Dave Vella -- would establish a process to force county and townships officials off the job if they have work-related criminal charges pending. A three-fifths vote of the county or township board would be required to begin the process under the proposal.
"Senate Bill 3460 is about public trust in government -- something that needs to be safeguarded now more than ever," Stadelman said. "This is a common-sense, bi-partisan effort to protect the public's interest in circumstances where independently elected local officials are awaiting trial on criminal charges that involve an alleged violatoin of their official oath."
Stadelman and his colleagues drafted the bill in response to multiple counts of official misconduct, forgery and theft of government funds against Bill Hintz, who has remained Winnebago County Coroner since the first being charged in September 2020.
Click on the screen capture to view full news conference:
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Stadelman applauds final Hard Rock Casino license OK
State Senator Steve Stadelman issued the following statement Thursday in response to the Illinois Gaming Board awarding Rockford a permanent casino license:
"The unanimous vote for Rockford is a big win in a decades-long struggle to bring gaming to our community. I'm proud to have helped pass the necessary legislation to not only keep local entertainment dollars from leaving town but to secure hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars annually in revenue that will reduce our reliance on property taxes. If the number of cars in the parking lot of the temporary casino is an indication, the permanent Hard Rock Casino is destined for much success."
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Rockford to receive $1.5 million in Back to Business grants: Stadelman
With the support of State Senator Steve Stadelman, several local businesses in and around Rockford were recently awarded $1.5 million in funding from the Back to Business program to help them recover from COVID-19.
Three dozen restaurants, hotels and other businesses represented by Stadelman were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 to help them cover the costs of safely remaining open during the latest waves of the global pandemic.
“For Rockord-area businesses nonprofits that have worked tirelessly to remain on their feet as we continue our recovery from the pandemic, these grants offer a glimmer of hope," Stadelman said. ”The losses, especially to small businesses, have been devastating, but these grants provide some much-needed relief."
B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses across Illinois with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.
Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program and view a full list of grantees here.