Stadelman legislation to fight urban blight passes Senate
A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that would help cities and counties address blighted properties passed Friday in the Illinois Senate.
“Blighted properties don’t just affect one or two neighbors. They can have a ripple effect on an entire block,” Stadelman said. "Giving our cities and counties the tools they need to fight this problem is the first step to revitalizing our neighborhoods.”
• The measure would reduce abandoned and neglected homes by helping municipalities intervene earlier through the court system to save these properties.
• It allows municipalities and counties to partner with land banks to maintain and manage vacant buildings so they can be saved.
• The measure would help people stay in their homes by reducing the cap on interest rates on unpaid property taxes.
“Sen. Stadelman recognizes the impact that blighted properties have in Rockford, and I appreciate all of his work in Springfield to help mitigate this issue,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said. “Blighted properties decrease home values, drive away investment, and are havens for criminal activity. This bill makes it easier for municipalities to intercept dilapidated properties before they are beyond repair so that they can be rehabilitated and placed back on the tax rolls. My administration has taken aggressive action to strengthen our neighborhoods, and this bill we be a tremendous tool that can help the city in this work.”
Senate Bill 1721 now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.
“When you have abandoned and deteriorating homes, it’s often local governments that pay to maintain or demolish these properties,” Stadelman said. “This measure finds solutions to help our state better address neighborhood rehabilitation.”
Lifetime no-contact order for sexual assuault survivors among 3 additonal Stadelman bills to clear Senate
If the House of Representatives approves and the governor signs Senate Bill 2277, survivors no longer would be forced to see their assailants in court every two years as Illinois now requires to renew a no-contact order.
The lifetime order of protection is one of three Stadelman-introduced bills sent this week from the Senate to the House.
“People who’ve been through a sexual assault will live with the trauma for the rest of their lives,” Stadelman said. “I believe it’s our responsibly to help ease their burdens by no longer requiring them to relive that trauma by returning to court year after year.”
Stadelman developed the legislation in concert with the City of Rockford’s Office of Domestic Violence Prevention and Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling. Similar protections are already in place in Illinois for stalking victims.
“No-contact orders are based on convictions -- and those convictions don’t change over time,” Stadelman said. “Survivors deserve to feel safe in their daily lives without having to continually appear in court.”
Stadelman study to save local journalism heads to House
A measure sponsored by Stadelman to ensure local journalism survives in Illinois’ small towns and mid-sized cities also passed the Illinois Senate this week.
“I’ve dedicated many years of my life to journalism, so I understand the importance of having access to local news,” Stadelman said. “Illinoisans deserve to know what’s happening in their communities, regardless of where they live.”
The legislation would create the Local Journalism Task Force, made up of 10 individuals representing print and broadcast media, journalism schools and state and local government. They would be charged with conducting a study on communities underserved by local journalism and making recommendations on how to preserve and restore news coverage in these areas.
Declines in advertising revenue and circulation have meant that nearly half of the newsroom jobs at newspapers that existed in 2004 have since disappeared—and more than 2,000 papers around the country have closed over the past 15 years.
If signed into law, the task force would be required to submit the findings from its study to the governor’s office and the General Assembly no later than Jan. 1, 2023.
“Whether you live in Rockford, Rochelle, or Chicago, you need to know what’s going on in your community,” Stadelman said. “I hope this legislation will provide new ideas to help address dwindling press coverage throughout Illinois.”
Senate Bill 134 was approved by the Senate on 57-0 vote and now moves to the House for further consideration.
Stadelman bill to spur construction spending advances from Senate
Also clearing the Senate this week was legislation sponsored by Stadelman to help the state invest in construction projects throughout Illinois. The legislation allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the state’s investment portfolio into Illinois infrastructure development companies. This change in the law would allow up to $700 million in financing.
“Financing construction projects across out state also means we’re investing in our workers,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will generate good-paying jobs throughout Illinois.”
The bill encourages more businesses to locate, expand and remain in Illinois by investing in quality construction development firms with a significant presence within state borders.
"The construction industry plays a massive role in our state’s economy," Stadelman said. "It makes sense to allow the treasurer to invest in these infrastructure projects.”
Stadelman applauds 250 new jobs as positive return on airport investment
Stadelman was instrumental in securing $15 million in state funds for construction of the MRO, money that had been promised to the project but that failed to materialize during the previous governor's administration.
"Our airport has benefitted from support across all levels of government, and that cooperation must continue," Stadelman said. "I'm pleased that the state kept its commitment to the MRO and that the commitment continues to pay off."