Details: Friday, October 13, 2023 11:28 AM

Second Chances Summit provides dozens with free legal advice

Stadelman offers life-changing event for 4th year

Volunteer attorneys met one-on-one Friday with 60 people hoping to improve their lives by erasing or concealing old court records at State Senator Steve Stadelman's fourth Second Chances Summit at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.

Attorneys -- who included retired Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Collins, the first woman to serve on the local bench -- donated their time preparing petitions to expunge or seal eligible criminal records as permitted under Illinois law. A judge ultimately rules on the petitions, which will be filed in court next week.

Stadelman organized the summit for a fourth year to help people who find that their transgressions from many years past can present long-term obstacles to obtaining better jobs and housing or furthering their education.

"I view this as economic development. Businesses tell me all the time about the difficulties they have filling jobs," Stadelman said, "and this event helps develop the local workforce and helps individuals find better employment. Throughout the year, I hear from people whose lives were changed because they were able to access this free legal assistance."

Prairie State Legal Services, Rockford Public Library and United Way of the Rock River Valley returned as event partners for a third year; Fisk & Monteleone law firm provided financial support. More than 300 people received free legal help at summits in 2018, 2019 and 2022; the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the event from occuring in 2020 and 2021.

Applications for state LIHEAP funds now being accepted

Stadelman advises families to act ASAP

Applications now are being accepted for the state's energy bill assistance program. Eligible familes can apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support online at helpillinoisfamilies.com or by visiting a local partner agency.

LIHEAP applications will be accepted until August 15, 2024 or until $237 million in funds to offset families' electricity and natural gas costs are exhausted. State Senator Steve Stadelman advises households to apply as soon as they are eligible because LIHEAP funds often run out before the deadline.

Under a tier system that gives a priority to families most in need, the application process opened Oct. 2 for income eligible households in the following categories:

Households with seniors age 60+
Households with a documented long-term disability
Households with children under age 6

More than half of LIHEAP funds are anticipated to go to households in the first tier. Beginning Nov. 1, households where utilities have been disconnected or are under threat of disconnection can apply. All other income-eligible households can submit applications starting Dec. 1.

In Winnebago and Boone Counties, the local LIHEAP partner is the Rockford Human Services Department at 612 N. Church St., Suite 301

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 844-710-6919

Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman is at Belvidere Assembly Plant
October 6 at 4:36 PM

UAW 1268 auto workers and supporters rally in a show of solidarity at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. We continue working at the state level to provide Stellantis with incentives to keep using the plant. It's a great facility in a great location and Belvidere workers are the most productive in the country!

Alex Lerma

Thank you for your support!!

Michelle Lopez

Thank you for everything you do

Steve Stadelman
October 11 at 12:12 PM

The 'Makers on the Move' bus tour rolled into Rockford this morning to spotlight PCI Pharma Services, which is expanding and growing it's workforce to 2500 employees! The Illinois Manufacturers' Association and IMEC are promoting the importance of manufacturing and availability of good paying jobs across the state and here in the Rockford area.