Stadelman: Rockford airport to receive another $4.5 million in state funds

State Senator Steve Stadelman has announced $4.5 million in capital improvements are coming to Rockford's airport as part of a statewide investment in aviation infrastructure.

Funds for the Chicago Rockford International Airport are designated for reconstruction of paved surfaces. Across Illinois, $94 million in airport projects are being funded in nearly 70 Illinois communities.

“Rockford's airport is a strong economic driver of our region that provides thousands of jobs to our community,” Stadelman said. “Funding to help maintain and upgrade the airport is an investment in our residents.”

Illinois' aviation system is one of the largest in the nation, made up of more than 850 individual landing facilities. Illinois is home to everything from O’Hare International Airport to municipal airports and private grass strips, contributing more than $95 billion annually to the state’s economy.

Stadelman announces new round of state rental assistance

Renters and landlords experiencing pandemic-related financial hardships can apply for assistance now through 11:59 p.m.  Sunday, Jan. 9 atillinoishousinghelp.org.

State Senator Steve Stadelman urged those who may be eligible to visit the web portal when the Illinois Rental Payment program reopened this week. An additional $250 million is expect to help more than 27,000 households avoid eviction while they regain their financial footing.

Tenant eligibility requirements include:

• Household lives in Illinois and rents home as primary residence.

• Household must have experienced a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the pandemic.

• Household income is below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), adjusted for household size.

• Household must have an unpaid rent balance.

• Proof of citizenship is not required.

• Tenants residing in state- or federally-subsidized housing are eligible to apply.

Stadelman "wraps" Cell Phones for Soldiers drive

On the day this week when many were observing the 80th anniversary of the the bombing of Pearl Harbor, State Senator Steve Stadelman partnered with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and Rockford SheVets to package for shipment more than 415 cell phones collected by his office and KNIB during November charity drivesto benefit active duty U.S military.

SheVets volunteers Nancy Clark Langmeier and Sherye Ferdinardo volunteered to help sort and box the devices for deployment to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization that parts out or repurposes the devices and uses the proceeds to buy calling cards for troops.

"I salute Senator Stadelman and KNIB for supporting a cause that accomplishes two worthy goals: giving troops the ability to talk with loved ones back home and keeping electronic waste out of landfills," said Langmeier-Clark, president of the local SheVets chapter.

The shipment included 37 tablets, charging cables and other accessories that can be recycled. Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com for more information.

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