ROCKFORD – Starting Jan. 1, Illinois and American flags purchased to fly at state agencies and institutions must be manufactured in the United States, thanks to a law spearheaded by State Senator Steve Stadelmen (D-Rockford). 

“We should be supporting local manufacturing companies that work hard and deserve our business,” Stadelman said. “We have no reason to be buying flags of our own state that are made in other countries.”

The new law will change the Flag Display Act to no longer allow state institutions and agencies to purchase American and Illinois flags from manufacturers outside of the U.S.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced a $4.5 million investment in state funding to help maintain and upgrade the Rockford Airport on Wednesday.

“The Rockford Airport is a strong economic driver of our region that provides hundreds of jobs to our community,” Stadelman said. “The funding to help maintain and upgrade sections of the airport is an investment in our residents to help our area thrive after such a tough year.”

SPRINGFIELD – Backing his promise to expand electric vehicle production in both the Rockford area and state as a whole, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) championed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, which was signed into law Tuesday.

“This growing field indicates room for job growth in the electric vehicle market,” Stadelman said. “Illinois is working to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to keep and bring their production facilities here. That will lead to good paying jobs in Northern Illinois and across the state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) led his colleagues in passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, a historic measure to preserve and create jobs in Illinois and incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to create more jobs in the state.

“This is a massive field that has so much room to grow, and we want to encourage these companies to set up shop in Illinois,” Stadelman said. “Many regions will see this as an economic opportunity that could bring jobs to residents and make a lasting impact on their community.”

Senator Stadelman launches new constituent survey

ROCKFORD – Since joining the General Assembly, Senator Steve Stadelman has sponsored dozens of bills that came to his office by constituents. To continue serving the evolving needs of the people of Rockford and beyond, he launched a new online survey for people to share their input.

“My top priority is making sure people’s voices are heard,” Stadelman said. “I encourage people who want to participate in the political process to fill out the survey and tell me what you would like to see me work on in Springfield.”

Topics cover government accountability, job growth, prioritization of the budget, and infrastructure.

The survey can be found here as well as on senatorstadelman.com on the sidebar. To offer additional feedback, people can contact Stadelman’s office by calling (815) 987-7557.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the passage of a groundbreaking renewable energy package that preserves local jobs at the Byron Generating Station nuclear plant, creates new career opportunities in the energy sector and trains workers for the future of the industry, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the following statement:

“Thousands of people across the state rely on power plants for their livelihoods, including many employees at the Byron nuclear plant on Rockford’s back doorstep. As we make the transition to green energy, we have to make sure these Illinoisans aren’t left in the dark.

“I’m proud to support an energy transition plan that prioritizes economic stability for our working families in the long term, protecting existing jobs while training our labor force to seize the opportunities of the future of energy.

“Illinois is now on the path toward an independent and prosperous power generation industry that values the people at Byron Generating Station and across the state who go to work every day to keep our lights on.”

ROCKFORD – Today, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined his colleagues to protect and create tens of thousands of jobs while setting Illinois on a path toward clean energy for the state.

“This is a smart investment in the future of Illinois,” Stadelman said. “We are saving thousands of well-payingjobs as well as creating tens of thousands of long-term, good-paying renewable energy jobs.”

ROCKFORD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security will be reviving its in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at the American Job Center in Rockford, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced Thursday.

“Many working families have experienced real trouble due to the devastating social and economic impacts of COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “The restoration of in-person unemployment and workforce services will make their lives easier and help them return to work.”

IDES appointments are available now but must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance for in-person assistance at 303 North Main Street in Rockford. To schedule an appointment, people should call the IDES scheduling hotline at 217-558-0401 and request a callback.

An appointment may be scheduled for one of the following reasons:

• Identity verification for an unemployment insurance claim
• Assistance registering with IllinoisJobLink.com
• Assistance documenting work search activities
• Employment services, including resume and job search guidance
• Request to use the Resource Room to use computers with internet and other resources

Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. To ensure efficiency, each appointment will be 20 minutes and visitors will be afforded a 10-minute grace period.

In the coming weeks, IDES will continue to reopen additional offices on a phased basis and will announce the availability of phone appointments to further assist claimants.

People are strongly encouraged to use the IDES website to apply for benefits, enroll in direct deposits, change passwords, engage in work searches and connect with an employment services professional, among other services. They can also continue to receive help from an IDES expert over the phone by requesting a callback at 800-244-5631. As a reminder, if a callback is received at an inconvenient time, claimants may reschedule the callback for a specific time with a call center agent.