SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that would help cities and counties       address blighted properties passed committee on Wednesday.

“Blighted properties don’t just affect one or two neighbors. They      can have a ripple effect on an entire block,” Stadelman said.      “Giving our cities and counties the tools they need to fight this problem is the first step to revitalizing our neighborhoods.”

• The measure would reduce abandoned and neglected homes by helping municipalities intervene earlier through the court system to save these properties.

• It allows municipalities and counties to partner with land banks to maintain and manage vacant buildings so they can be saved.

• The measure would help people stay in their homes by reducing the cap on interest rates on unpaid property taxes.

“Sen. Stadelman recognizes the impact that blighted properties have in Rockford, and I appreciate all of his work in Springfield to help mitigate this issue,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “Blighted properties decrease home values, drive away investment, and are havens for criminal activity. This bill makes it easier for municipalities to intercept dilapidated properties before they are beyond repair so that they can be rehabilitated and placed back on the tax rolls. My administration has taken aggressive action to strengthen our neighborhoods, and this bill we be a tremendous tool that can help the city in this work.”

“When you have abandoned and deteriorating homes, it’s often local governments that pay to maintain or demolish these properties,” Stadelman said. “This measure finds solutions to help our state better address neighborhood rehabilitation.”

Senate Bill 1721 passed the Senate Revenue Committee with a vote of 6-4 and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s (D-Rockford) legislation to help the state invest in construction projects throughout Illinois passed the State Senate on Thursday.

The legislation allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the state’s investment portfolio into Illinois infrastructure development companies. This change in the law would allow up to $700 million in financing.

“Financing construction projects across out state also means we’re investing in our workers,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will generate good-paying jobs throughout Illinois.”
The legislation encourages more businesses to locate, expand, and remain in Illinois by investing in quality construction development firms with a significant presence within state borders.

“This legislation would create new economic development opportunities for Illinois,” Stadelman said. “The construction industry plays a massive role in our state’s economy. It makes sense to allow the treasurer to invest in these infrastructure projects.”

Senate Bill 117 passed the Illinois Senate without opposition and now goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect survivors of sexual assault from being forced to see their assailants, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) passed legislation out of committee on Tuesday that would make a civil no contact order permanent when the assailant is criminally convicted of sexual assault.

“Survivors of sexual assault are forced to live day in and day out with their trauma,” Stadelman said. “The least we can do is not make them relive it.”

Currently, under Illinois state law, sexual assault survivors are forced to see their assailants in court every two years to renew their no contact orders.

“These no contact orders are based on convictions. Those convictions don’t change over time,” Stadelman said. “People should have the right to feel safe in their daily lives without having to endlessly go to court.”

The legislation is an initiative of the city of Rockford. The city worked with the Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, which suggested the lifetime order of protection. Similar protections are already in place in Illinois for stalking victims.

Senate Bill 2277 passed the Illinois Senate Criminal Law Committee with a vote of 10-0 and now heads to the Senate Floor for further consideration.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to celebrate hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal investments in the Rockford area.

As part of a $23 million multi-year Rebuild Illinois project, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is granting $13 million for infrastructure improvements to the BMO Harris Center in Downtown Rockford, home of the Ice Hogs, an American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Stanley Cup-winning franchise recently announced its acquisition of the Rockford hockey team.

“This is great news for Rockford area hockey fans and downtown businesses,” Stadelman said. “The improvements to BMO Harris Bank Center will ensure the entertainment venue remains a tourist attraction. The state continues to show its commitment to Rockford by supporting the revitalization of downtown.”

The investment will help improve visitors’ experiences through audio-visual and digital technology upgrades, concession area improvements and other modernized amenities.

In addition to the millions of dollars in state economic development funding, the area is set to receive over $230 million for education from the federal government’s most recent COVID-19 relief packages, with Rockford School District 205 set to receive nearly $209 million. The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools flexibility in how they can spend the money over the next 3 ½ years.

“For more than a year now, our teachers and administrators have put in countless hours to adapt their classrooms to remote learning,” Stadelman said. “This funding not only gives schools the relief they need to move forward and eventually beyond this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, but the ability to invest in Rockford’s future.”

At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs, like ensuring students have reliable internet access moving forward.

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