Stadelman's 2025 Summer Book Club

State Senator Steve Stadelman read "Jabari Jumps" about a youngster gathering the courage to take his first plunge of a high diving board, to dozens of students who then enjoyed a pizza party to celebrate the conclusion of Stadelman's fifth Summer Book Club reading challenge.

Sixty-eight students at the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford Stenstrom Unit read 8 books over six weeks. The reading challenge, open to all students in the 34th Senate District, has been based at Stenstrom for the last four years, but Stadelman is hosting a SECOND PIZZA PARTY at 2:15 PM TOMORROW, Aug. 1, for a smaller book club at Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave. 

Students who met the reading challenge also received Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Senate.

"It's important for students to keep up their reading skills over the summer," Stadelman said. "Most kids love a challenge and love pizza, so the book club encourages them read more than they might otherwise when they're not in school."

Stadelman announces over $379,000 in area library grants

State Senator Steve Stadelman joined the Illinois Secretary of State in announcing libraries in Rockford, Loves Park, Cherry Valley and Belvidere will benefit from more than $379,000 in state funds through the Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant program.

“Libraries are one of the best resources a town can offer. From educational programs to technology and research assistance, every resident can benefit from a public library in some way,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “It’s through funding like these grant programs that allow libraries to function and stay accessible for community members.”

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Stadelman says local manufacturer's Made in Illinois grant will help 'drive innovation and growth'

A local company is among 29 statewide receiving $1.3 million in funding through the state's Made in Illinois grant program, State Senator Steve Stadelman confirmed today.

Imperial Punch, which employs 27 workers on Rockford's southeast side, will benefit from the matching grants of up to $50,000 for small and mid-size manufacturers.

"Made in Illinois is a program designed to drive innovation and growth in Illinois' critical manufacturing sector," State Senator Steve Stadelman said. "Illinois is an international manufacturing hub, but smaller businesses that make up the hub need a boost to attract capital or add jobs, which pays dividends in developing local and state economies overall."

Combined the 29 grant recipients have 1,120 employees, ranging from as few as six to as many as 125. Including those announced today, Made in Illinois has awarded a total of $3 million in grants to 69 companies since the program started in 2024.

Stadelman praises state grant of almost $1 million for hydropower project on Rock River

ROCKFORD -- A local company hoping to harness the Rock River to generate electrical power for homes is receiving nearly $1 million in state funding to help develop the project, State Senator Steve Stadelman confirmed today. If the initial demonstration product is successful, Rockford could become the hub for manufacture and sales of micro-hydro cycling systems.
"The test program being proposed for the Fordham Dam is just the type of clean energy development we had in mind when we approved the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act," Stadelman said. "Rockford has a proud manufacturing tradition, and being the base for production and sales of this technology will bring jobs and could lead to wider economic growth."

Latitude Power of Rockford in partnership with Studio GWA has been awarded a $914,330 grant through the Illinois Equitable Energy Future program. Latitude Principal Carl Cacciatore said the demonstration product would take 18 months to manufacture and install, including time to obtain approvals that may be required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The demonstration product would generate enough electricity to power five homes, Cacciatore said. Once proven, the technology at Fordham Dam would be expanded to generate up to 25 kilowatts an hour -- enough to supply electricity to at least 50 homes. Latitude would also need to reach an agreement with ComEd to direct the energy into its electricity grid and offer residential users a credit on their bills.

"There are all sorts of applications for this that will then spread out across the country," said Cacciatore, a retired program manager for what is now Collins Aerospace. "Rockford will be at the center of it all."

A conceptual design of the cycling system can be seen here.
Latitude's grant is among 27 being awarded statewide by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. DCEO also is opening a third round of applications for another $25.5 million in Equitable Energy Future grants, designed to benefit clean energy development in communities that have historically lacked access to capital.
Qualified entities can apply for grants from $250,000 to $1 million until 5 p.m. December 31. To view and apply for the grant, visit the DCEO website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for application assistance.