Stadelman announces $10 million grant for Rockford airport

Chicago Rockford International Airport will receive $10 million in improvements as a result of a commitment by the Illinois Department of Transportation to participate in the expansion, State Senator Steve Stadelman has announced.

“Rockford’s position as a transportation hub is one of my top priorities," said Stadelman, who also worked to include passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago in the state's new construction plan.

The airport's $10 million includes $9 million from the federal government, $500,000 from the state and a $500,000 local match. The money will be spent on apron construction.

Stadelman said the funding packing "will allow the airport to continue its path as one of the fastest growing cargo airports in the world.” IDOT's matching contribution project maximizes a funding opportunity through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and accelerates construction.
“This money will increase capacity at the airport as it continues to grow its air cargo business,” Stadelman said. “Investing $10 million dollars in the Rockford community will help create jobs and boost our local and state economies.”

Illinois' aviation system consists of more than 825 landing facilities including commercial, reliever and general aviation airports, private landing areas and hospital heliports. IDOT helps oversee development of any public air navigation facility, administering federal funds and annually managing between 100 and 120 grants totaling approximately $250 million.

Stadelman pushes Rockford area to forefront of state broadband expansion

Rockford and Winnebago County will receive state and private funding to expand broadband internet to under-served residents as part of the state’s Illinois Connected Communities Grant Program. State Senator Steve Stadelman, who helped create the program, was pleased to see Rockford benefit from the first round of grants.

“One thing we’ve all learned during the pandemic is that access to broadband internet is a necessity,” Stadelman said. “Without reliable internet access, children can’t participate in e-learning, you can’t work from home and you can’t easily access important services provided by the government and private companies.”

A dozen community and local government partners each will receive $150,000 to develop plans to ensure access to local high-speed broadband. The state grants will be paired with $150,000 in philanthropic matching funds.

Together, these investments will establish the groundwork for Connect Illinois, a $400 million broadband expansion program authorized by the General Assembly. Stadelman supported House Bill 62, which created the broadband program with the goal of providing every Illinois resident with at least basic internet access by 2024.

“Internet access has become a basic utility, like electricity, water or telephone service,” Stadelman said. “Whether you live in an urban neighborhood or country town, you can’t fully participate in today’s economy without the internet.”

First-round grant recipients include the Region 1 Planning Council, a regional government agency representing northern Illinois including Rockford and Winnebago County.

Stadelman announces additional funding for Rockford youth employment

State Senator Steve Stadelman was joined by Governor JB Pritzker to announce the expansion of the COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, creating additional employment opportunities for under-served youth in the Rockford area.

“This extremely important program gives youth an opportunity to connect with each other and gain work experience to prepare them for future careers,” Stadelman said. “For low-income youth in particular, this initiative can help level the playing field and afford them an opportunity they may have not otherwise had.”

Under the program, the Rockford Park District is receiving $500,000 to hire 100 youth between June and August 2020 in age-, ability- and experience-appropriate work-based learning opportunities at Lockwood Park, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens and five public golf courses.

“It’s great to see the impact our summer youth program is making here in Rockford,” Pritzker said. “Providing the start of careers and learning essential skills is a whole new level of impact for our youth.”

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Great to see Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton back in Rockford recognizing Rockford Art Deli. She featured the downtown store in the #WeAreIllinois campaign for raising $100,000 in T-shirt sales to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. #Shoplocal!

Jarrod Hennis "We had over 400 local businesses apart of the program selling over 10,000 shirts."