New Stadelman-funded police technology results in drug arrest
Rockford Police this week police arrested a man on cannabis charges this week after officers used their new StarChase technology -- recently acquired with funding secured by State Senator Steve Stadelman -- to track him down after he fled arrest.
Officers first tried to pull over the suspect on 16th Avenue in Rockford, but he ended up arrest him in the 2700 block of Hanson Street after deploying StarChase and a K-9 to locate him. StarChase allows officers to fire GPS "tags" at fleeing vehichles, so they can track them electronically instead of pursuing them in dangerous, high-speed chases.
Police recovered more than 345 grams of cannabis from the suspect. He was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, possession with intent to deliver cannabis and driving with a revoked license.
Stadelman bill would cut food waste by putting teeth into current state labeling requirements
In a effort to reduce the 3.8 million tons of food that people in Illinois throw away each year, State Senator Steve Stadelman is proposing new rules for product labeling.
Stadelman has introduced Senate Bill 2072 to require, rather than encourage, the Illinois Department of Agriculture to ensure food product labels contain quality dates and safety dates by July 1, 2027. "Quality" refers to the date that food may begin to deteriorate while remaining acceptable for consumption. "Safety" refers to the date by which food should be consumed or frozen in order to prevent illness.
“Quality dates and safety dates are clearer cut than 'sell by' dates or 'best if used by' dates," Stadelman said. “We are likely all guilty of throwing away food that seems fine but has gone past its expiration date. “I think this legislation will help consumers get the more value out of the food purchases while reducing food was at the same time."
Stadelmam's proposal strengthens legislation passed in 2023 that defined safety and quality dates and directed state agencies to publish information to urge food manufacturers and retailers to voluntarily use these terms on food product labels.
llinois Secretary of State is hiring summer interns
Approximately 150 paid internships are available with the Illinois Secretary of State for college, trade school, graduate school students or graduating high school students who are enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. The application process is open now.
Positions include working in Secretary of State offices in Chicago, surrounding suburbs, Springfield and downstate facility locations, including Rockford. Under the program, college and trade school students earn $17 per hour and specific intern positions for graduate and law school students pay $25 per hour.
Interested applicants must submit a resume, application and cover letter explaining their interest in working for the Secretary of State’s office. Please reach out to
In case you missed me on Facebook ...
Steve Stadelman
April 1 at 4:40 PM
I worked in TV news for twice as long as I've been in politics, so I'm deeply moved to learn that I'll be receiving the Legislative Service Award from the Illinois Press Association in June. The honor is only presented in years when a member of the General Assembly has provided leadership that substantially advances the IPA mission and the journalism profession.
