SPRINGFIELD – Illinois wastes close to 3.8 billion tons of food each year. In an effort to reduce the amount of food products we throw away, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working on new rules for product labeling.

“We are likely all guilty of throwing away food that seems fine but is past its expiration date,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “I want to ensure we are getting the most out of our food products, and I think this new measure I’m working on will help us get there.”

Senate Bill 2072 builds on legislation passed in 2023 that defined safety and quality dates and directed the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Health to publish information to encourage food manufacturers and retailers to voluntarily use these terms on food product labels.

SPRINGFIELD – Following an Illinois Supreme Court decision that weakened protections for journalists, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working to safeguard the rights of Illinoisans and news outlets to state their opinions in the media.

“This legislation is needed in order to protect media and what they do on a daily basis,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We need to stand up for free press and speech, and this measure shows our efforts to do so."

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in highlighting the ongoing construction of the Rockford Mass Transit District expansion project. RMTD has been awarded a total of $39.4 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan for this project.

“Upgrading transit systems is essential if we want reliable and efficient services for riders. I’m thrilled to see the results of the expansion project that will help Rockford’s local economy and keep us moving forward,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “The continued investments in the Rockford Mass Transit District show we are dedicated to improving transportation needs all over the state.”

The project will use $32.6 million to renovate RMTD’s current vehicle storage and maintenance facility to expand storage space, fix vehicle needs and integrate electric vehicle charging infrastructure. An additional $6.8 million will fund new alternative fuel buses and vehicles.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect consumers from unexpected fees and incorrect bookings with third-party services, State Senator Steve Stadelman is fighting to improve transparency from these providers.

“Many individuals easily fall victim to deceptive booking practices through third-party services, especially in the hotel and lodging industry,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “People are losing their money because of these services, and it will only continue if we do not take action and require them to provide mandatory disclosures to consumers.”

Senate Bill 2013 would make it illegal for third-party booking services to facilitate the reservation of a hotel room without disclosing to consumers that they are not affiliated with the hotel and that the consumer is not making a reservation with the hotel directly.