Stadelman bill to help Illinois companies battle tech giants

State Senator Steve Stadelman joined other Illinois lawmakers this week to announce legislation to spare smartphone application developers and digital content providers, including local news organizations, from unfair fees charged by technology giants Apple and Google.
 

In a virtual news conference, Stadelman and co-sponsor Sara Feigenholtz discussed Senate Bill 3417, which would create the Freedom to Subscribe Directly Act and allow Illinois companies to enroll digital subscribers directly without paying Apple or Google excessive fees of up to 30 percent of the smartphone app's revenue.
 

If passed, the law would apply to games, music, dating and other types of smartphone applications. But Stadelman expressed particular interest in the benefit for local news and its role of news in the democratic process.

"Local media operations have already lost a lot of advertising revenue to tech companies, and this legislation is one way to make the playing field a bit more fair," Stadelman said during the news conference, "If no one is covering local city councils and school boards, how will people get the information they need to make informed decisions?"

Stadelman passed separate legislation last year to create a Local Journalism Task Force to study and recommend ways to help revive the news industry, especially in rural areas.
 

Click on the screen capture below to view the full news conference. Steve Stadelman joins co-sponsors Feigenholtz and State Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr. just after the 14-minute mark.
 

Extra medical staff to treat COVID patients headed here: Stadelman

The federal government has granted a state request to surge medical staff at Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside in Rockford to help treat COVID-19 patients, according to State Senator Steve Stadelman. A 22-person team including clinical staff from the Healthcare Medical Task Force will be deployed to MercyHealth to support doctors and nurses in the hospital's eastside emergency department for two weeks.

“The omicron variant has caused one of the highest surge in cases since the pandemic started, and it is happening at a time where many hospitals are short-staffed,” Stadelman said. “I am happy the state’s request for medical assistance was granted, as Javon Bea needs more help than ever before.”

More than 600 people are being admitted daily to hospitals across Illinois, and the daily average exceeds 7,100 patients in COVID-19 beds statewide.

“Health care workers have proven to be more than essential through this pandemic and all its variants,” Stadelman said. “We must ensure that they have everything they need to help do their jobs and combat this virus.”

Those experiencing non-life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough, fatigue, headache or loss of smell or taste should call their health care provider and discuss a treatment plan over the phone. Anyone experiencing more serious symptoms such as chest pain, confusion or difficulty breathing should seek immediate care from an emergency department.

Stadelman urges residents in the Rockford area to continue to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks, avoid large crowds and practice physical distancing where possible.
 

Stadelman announces funding for local libraries

Thanks to support from State Senator Steve Stadelman, two libraries will benefit from nearly $75,000 in combined grants to grow and enhance services. As part of ongoing pandemic recovery efforts, Rockford Public Library will $50,000 and the North Suburban Public Library in Loves Park will receive $22,480.

“Libraries have been a valued resource for continued education, growth and community development throughout the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “This grant program provides the resources needed for libraries to ensure residents are connected to these tools.”

The grants provide fundig for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for patrons and ensure services are being offered safely as COVID-19 continues to plague communities.

“Library staff have worked tirelessly to who have needed support most during the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “I hope this funding helps make our libraries even more accessible than before.”