SPRINGFIELD– In November of 2014, Cherry Valley firefighters arrived at a house fire only to find a hydrant that was inoperable and to be used only for flushing, not fighting fires. As it turns out, the hydrants were broken and no one had told the fire department. While the house burned, they had to wait for water to be transported to the scene before the fire could be extinguished.

A proposal passed by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) would require private water companies to notify fire departments of the working capacity of the hydrants. Stadelman was joined last week in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee by Cherry Valley Fire Chief Craig Wilt, who testified in support of the legislation.

“This legislation would make it much easier for fire departments with private water systems to know the amount of water they have in storage if there is a fire. Right now, it’s unknown how much water is available in a private water system for firefighting, versus a municipal system where we know we will not run out of water,” said Wilt.

“Firefighters need to know the working condition of the hydrants they use. It’s extremely unfortunate a family had to lose its home because the Cherry Valley fire department hadn’t been updated on the status of the hydrants. This legislation will stop that from happening again,” said Stadelman.

The legislation passed the Senate today and will be sent to the Illinois House of Representatives. 

Machesney Park Town Hall

When: April 2, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: Machesney Park Village Hall (300 Roosevelt Road, Machesney Park)

Click on the flier for more information

Minority Business Expo

When: April 9 from 6 - 7:30pm

Where: Zeke Giorgi Center, Lower Level Auditorium (200 S. Wyman), Rockford

Click on the flier for more information

An abandoned Illinois Railway bridge just south of downtown Rockford will get new life as a bicycle/pedestrian path. The repurposed bridge will connect a planned hotel development with the indoor sports complex set for the former Ingersoll Building, a plan championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

"This plan is yet another step in making downtown Rockford a more vibrant place to live and work," said Stadelman, the vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. "By adding this important piece of infrastructure, residents and visitors alike will see an immediate benefit."

The cost of the bridge refurbishment is about $925,000 and is funded by the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, a state program that uses federal money for such projects. The bridge also is part of a longer-term plan to further increase bicycle connectivity in the Rockford area. City engineer Matthew Vitner says the bridge also will connect with bicycle paths from the across the river to Davis Park as well as eventually becoming part of the Grand Illinois Trail.

Construction on the bridge is expected to begin this summer and finish by the end of the year.