$1.5 million in marijuana-funded grants to be awarded locally
 
State Senator Steve Stadelman has announced $1.5 million is being awarded locally to boost economic development and prevent violence. The grants are part of the Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program funded through revenue from the legalization of marijuana in Illinois.

“The organizations that will receive the funds do great work to help boost up and support disadvantaged communities," Stadelman said. "I would like to commend them for all the good they do and congratulate them for earing the grants, and I look forward to seeing the additional help they’ll now be able to provide.”
 
Award by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the grants aim to reverse decades of disinvestment. Grant recipients will use the money to support communities that have been devastated by violence and economic disinvestment, both of which disproportionately affect communities of color.
 
Locally, grants are going to youth and economic development or violence prevention efforts by:
  • City of Rockford: $520,790
  • YMCA of Rock River Valley: $86,357
  • Comprehensive Community Solutions: $199,813
  • KFACT (Keeping Families and Communities Together): $186,245
"Some neighborhoods have struggled greatly as a result of the war on drugs, so it’s good to give a little back to the organizations that help support them and stimulate their recovery and growth,” Stadelman said.
 
In total, ICJIA will award 80 grants for $31.5 million statewide. View the full list of grant recipients, click here.
 
 
Wanted: COVID-19 prevention ambassadors
 
The State of Illinois is looking for residents who want to use their voice, skills and influence to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as part of the state's COVID-19 Prevention Ambassador Program. Any Illinoisan can volunteer.
 
Ambassadors will share information among their friends, family, peers and neighbors on prevention measuresand testing resources while enhancing their communication and leadership skills, contributing to effective and innovative solutions to stop the spread of COVID-19 and supporting a culture of health and prevention. The estimated monthly time commitment is 1-2 hours.
 
As an ambassador, you will:
  • Participate in virtual launch and orientation meetings on COVID-19 basics.
  • Receive technical assistance and ongoing training to include peer-to-peer problem-solving.
  • Proactively promote COVID-19 prevention measures.
  • Commend individuals who are practicing public health measures.
  • Provide input into the development of messaging and outreach materials.
  • Organize and implement virtual outreach activities (for example, a Facebook Live event).
  • Share your success with the IDPH!
Please complete the survey below to become involved!
 
 

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman
January 29 at 4:45 PM ·

Great experience last night fielding questions from high school students in the Illinois YMCA Youth & Government in the Real World program. I was happy to share my perspective having worked on both sides of the microphone during the Zoom panel discussion.
 

 

State Senator Steve Stadelman· t

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As the state considers policy around the power plant's future, I toured the Byron Nuclear Generating Station with my Rockford colleagues State Reps. Maurice West and Dave Vella along with State Rep. Suzanne Ness of Crystal Lake. 
 

SmartBuy was created using appropriations allocated to IHDA in the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan; the program is expected to assist approximately 500 to 1,000 borrowers. Learn more and find a list of SmartBuy-approved lenders here.

 

New SmartBuy mortage program offers relief on student loan debt


Prospective homebuyers with student loan debt should check out the state's new SmartBuy mortage assistance program, which offers $5,000 toward down payments or closing costs and 15 percent of a home's purchase price -- or up to $40,000 -- in student loan debt relief.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) launched the SmartBuy program Dec. 1. Potential borrowers must have at least $1,000 in student loan debt and must pay off their full remaining student loan balance when closing on the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages. The program also requires a FICO mid-score of at least 640, and applicants must meet certain income and purchase price requirements.

SmartBuy was created using appropriations allocated to IHDA in the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan; the program is expected to assist approximately 500 to 1,000 borrowers. Learn more and find a list of SmartBuy-approved lenders here.