ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced today that his push to restore passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago is gaining speed now that the Illinois Department of Transportation has reached an agreement to hire a project manager.

“Passenger rail service to and from Chicago holds tremendous potential for economic growth and enhanced quality of life in the Rockford area," Stadelman said. "People across northern Illinois are excited about the prospect of a rail link with Chicago, and I think it’s important to keep everyone fully informed and to include as much public input as possible."

ROCKFORD - With Illinois continuing to face an unprecedented public health emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker, Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara and Dr. Lisa M. Bly-Jones, Executive Director of Workforce Connection today to discuss investments to expand job opportunities in the City of Rockford.  

"The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting jobs and changing the skills employees need to do them,” Stadelman said. “To meet this challenge, state government and its partners need to step up to help ensure workers are equipped with the skills critical to our economic recovery.”

ROCKFORD – With only weeks left before the U.S. Census Bureau finishes its counting efforts, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is stressing the importance of Winnebago County residents being counted by filling out the 2020 Census, which will protect their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is one of the primary tools the federal government uses to decide how much money will be given to the Rockford area,” Stadelman said. “Filling out the census has never been easier with the new online questionnaire option. It took me 10 minutes to fill out for my entire family.”

So far this year, Rockford’s self-response rate is down, currently only at 67.7%. As of Aug. 28, Winnebago County’s self-response rate is currently 73.7%. More than half of the county’s residents’ responses have been submitted online.

“If Rockford is undercounted, it will receive less money, less representation and less influence across the state and country,” Stadelman said. “It’s our job to make sure we’re all counted.”

Although online is the quickest way to fill out the questionnaire, there are three ways you can respond: online, by phone or by mail. Stadelman also pointed out that higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in-person. This year, census surveyors are putting the health of themselves and their families at risk from COVID-19.

If someone hasn’t filled out their census questionnaire yet, they can visit 2020census.gov, where they can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. You can see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation here.

ROCKFORD — In efforts to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable population and spare them a trip to the driver services facility, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is notifying drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“This was a good call by Secretary of State White. Extending the expiration date for older Illinoisans’ licenses was safest thing to do,” Stadelman said. “People who are 75 or older are especially vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, and they don’t need to be waiting in line in the heat and elements at driver services facilities.”

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Drivers who are eligible should receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof of their qualification.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility need wear a face mask. Additionally, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and should be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

Stadelman encourages drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

To find the closest driver services facility near you, visit cyberdriveillinois.com, click on the facility finder link, and enter your ZIP code in the search bar.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting small business grants the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding to Rockford businesses and other small business communities across the state that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19-related losses and closures.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of my community and of our state,” Stadelman said. “They need this grant money to survive and I’m proud that we are doing everything possible at the state level to help our small business community stay afloat.”

The grants are the first round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. The state program will award funds to businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a large portion of the grants being awarded to child care providers.

The first round of grants range from $10,000-$20,000 and can be used to help businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic, such as PPE, training, and new technology.

“This pandemic has hit smaller and minority owned businesses especially hard,” Stadelman said. “That’s why the program is ensuring that these businesses take priority when grants are being awarded.”  

The first round of awards includes a diverse group of businesses and focuses on small businesses. Recipients are required to prove annual revenues of $3 million or lower.

A list of grant recipients can be found here.

ROCKFORD — State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting the Illinois Department of Human Services’ new mental health programs to help people who need additional resources for crisis support, housing and community care during their times of need.

“As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, now more than ever, it’s important to provide people with help they need,” Stadelman said. “These new and innovative programs will help people get the help they need.”

IDHS announced three new mental health programs Monday to provide additional support for Illinoisans. The agency worked with community mental health centers and non-traditional service providers to develop capacity and to deliver clinical services and non-traditional supports.

A new program called the Living Room Program is designed specifically for people in need of a crisis relief program to break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization. It provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere where individuals can process an event while learning how to avoid a future crisis.

The Transitional Living Centers Program is a housing resource for people who have mental illnesses and who are in need of an immediate place to stay while they work to find permanent housing.

Additionally, the Transitional Community Care and Support Programs are for people who are currently in IDHS State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals and preparing to be discharged. It will include funding for non-traditional supports, such as cell phones, food, clothing, transportation, and other resources that are necessary for individuals to succeed as they transition back into communities.

Individuals seeking help from the Living Room Program may seek help directly or be referred by first responders or medical professionals. Participants of the other two programs will be referred by IDHS and other providers.

For more information and to find additional mental health resources, click here.

ROCKFORD – To provide Rockford area residents with an opportunity to improve important life skills, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced that the Literacy Council in Rockford will receive more than $70,000 in grants from the secretary of state’s office to help adult learners develop reading, English-language and others skills. 

“Giving adults the ability to learn new skills not only provides them with new opportunities. It enhances the community they live in as well,” Stadelman said. “Everyone, no matter their age, should be given the chance to improve their skills and better themselves.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the secretary of state’s office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

“I encourage Rockford-area residents to give back to their community and volunteer for this great program,” Stadelman said.

The Literacy Council in Rockford is set to receive a total of $70,690.

Those interested in volunteering should contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.

ROCKFORD – To provide assurance to residents that are concerned about potential identity theft after recent claims of fraudulent unemployment cards, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is asking Rockford residents who believe they’ve been a victim to file a report with Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

“During this time of so much uncertainty, it’s sad that people are being taken advantage of,” Stadelman said. “If you believe you’ve been a victim of this scam, you can help other Illinoisans by filing a report with IDES. We need to hold these scammers accountable.”

Recent reports have shown Illinoisans have been receiving KeyBank debit cards and unemployment letters in the mail, despite never applying for benefits. According to IDES, individuals who received these mailings may be targets of fraud.

After receiving these reports, IDES launched an investigation into a national fraud scheme targeting claimants to the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. IDES said unclear federal guidelines quickly developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, making claimants vulnerable to these scams. IDES also said this scheme is not associated to the PUA program issue experienced in May.

IDES employees are now working with people whose identities have possibly been stolen. The department is also working with local and federal law authorities to track down and prosecute those committing fraud.

Individuals who have received debit cards in the mail without applying for benefits should call IDES immediately at 1-800-814-0513 to report identity theft. Do not activate the debit card.

Victims of fraud are also encouraged to check their credit reports for possible suspicious activity, post a fraud alert and visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for helpful tips on recognizing and reporting identity theft.