Stadelman applauds almost $3 million in state funding for 'rails to trails' project in Boone County

BELVIDERE -- State Senator Steve Stadelman today praised the announcement of $2.7 million in state funding to replace five aging bridges that support the Long Prairie Trail as a "smart investment in something that's an important recreational asset but also an alternative transportation option in northern Illinois."

Long Prairie Trail is a rail-to-trail conversion, stretching 14.2 miles across 16 bridges, most of which are remnants of the old K&D Rail line and are in dire need of replacement. Five bridges that have outlived their useful lifespan, especially from a safety perspective, will be reconstructed for an estimated cost of $3 million. 

"Illinois is reversing decades of disinvestment, making communities more connected and providing more ways for people to travel from place to place," Stadelman said. "Long Prairie Trail connects several regional destinations and links to Stone Bridge Trail in Winnebago County, providing access to even more outdoor attractions -- Rock Cut State Park being prominent among them."

A total of $139.2 million in Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants are going to 66 projects statewide from 233 applications for $383 million in financial assistance. ITEP awards focus on projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian travel or otherwise enhance local transportation networks. The next call for ITEP-eligible projects is expected in 2026.

"Projects like Long Prairie Trail are the quality-of-life amenities people want when deciding where to buy homes and raise families," Stadelman said. "Whether people frequent Long Prairie Trail for exercise, leisure or as an alternative to driving a motor vehicle, it's a valuable asset that deserves to be maintained and deserves the state's support."

ITEP is part of Rebuild Illinois, legislation Stadelman supported in 2019 that commits a record $33.2 billion toward upgrades to the Illinois transportation system -- including $275 million to restore passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago with a stop in downtown Belvidere.

Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about the fees included in their services.

“Patients deserve to know ahead of time if any extra fees will be added onto their bill,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Hospitals need to take responsibility and inform their patients of all applicable fees at any of their facilities.”

House Bill 1431 would require hospitals to develop a policy to inform patients they may be charged a facility fee, if applicable, for outpatient services separate from a professional fee Facility fees are charges imposed by health care facilities for the use of their space, equipment and administrative services, whereas professional fees cover the cost of the professional providing the care. The lack of transparency between the two has made patients feel like they are being double charged for their visit.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - April 25, 2025

Stadelman: $2 million in state funding 'builds on momentum' in Rockford's downtown

State Senator Steve Stadelman hailed this week's award of $2 million for streetscape improvements on Madison Street in Rockford, saying the state funding "builds on the momentum that has transformed downtown Rockford over more than two decades." The grant is part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas and accelerate local economic initiatives across the state.
"The upgrades that will occur on Madison Street are another key piece in the steady evolution of downtown Rockford into a thriving entertainment, retail and residential district," Stadelman said. "The vitality of Rockford's downtown has a direct impact on the growth of the regional economy.

IDOT begins $3.9 million Springfield Avenue bridge replacement

The bridge that carries Springfield Avenue over the North Fork of Kent Creek in Rockford is scheduled to be closed until the end of November while the Illinois Department of Transportation works to replace the structure between Safford Road and Kilburn Avenue.
Access to Anna Page Park will remain open, but trails that run underneath Springfield Avenue will be closed. A posted detour will direct traffic to use Auburn Street, Central Avenue and Kilburn. View area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - April 18, 2025

New fire station now operational in Machesney Park

Rather than a ribbon-cutting, North Park Fire Protection District held a "hose uncoupling" Thursday to celebrate completion of its new fire station on Harlem Road, which replaces three old stations from the 1950s and 1960s that were too small house modern firefighting equipment and that became poorly located as district boundaries changed over the decades.
Senator Stadelman designated $50,000 in state funding to help pay construction costs.

$440,000 in state funds enroute to Rockford for job training: Stadelman

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced the release of $440,000 in state funds to help create pathways to good-paying jobs in construction and expand opportunities in the skilled trades in the Rockford area.
Education Design Development and Research Corp. is receiving an Illinois Works grant to provide pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships to local students, opening the door for them to build lifelong careers in the construction trades.

“We are still experiencing a shortage of skilled trade workers,” Stadelman said this week. “To fill these positions and give residents a chance at a good-paying job, programs like Illinois Works are essential.”

To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state, click here.

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