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.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker today to announce the expansion of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, creating additional employment opportunities for underserved youth in the Rockford area.

“This is an extremely important program. It gives these kids the opportunity to connect with each other and learn new working experience to prepare them for future careers,” Stadelman said. “This program can help level the playing field. It focuses on low-income kids in the community, giving them an opportunity they may have not otherwise had.”

ROCKFORD – Rockford and Winnebago County will receive state and private funding to expand broadband internet to underserved residents as part of the state’s Illinois Connected Communities Grant Program. State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), who helped create the program, was pleased to see Rockford benefit from the first round of grants.

“One thing we’ve all learned during the pandemic is that access to broadband internet is a necessity,” Stadelman said. “Without reliable internet access, children can’t participate in e-learning, you can’t work from home, and you can’t easily access important services provided by the government and private companies.”

The program is directing $150,000 in small grants to 12 community and local government partners to develop plans to ensure access to high-speed broadband in their communities. The state grants will be paired with $150,000 in philanthropic matching funds. Together, these investments will help lay the groundwork for Connect Illinois, a $400 million broadband expansion program authorized by the General Assembly. Stadelman supported House Bill 62, which created the broadband program.

The Region 1 Planning Council, which is a regional government agency representing Northern Illinois, including Rockford and Winnebago County, is one of the 12 groups included in the first round of grant recipients.

The goal of Connect Illinois is to ensure that every Illinois resident has at least basic internet access by 2024.

“Internet access has become a basic utility, like electricity, water, or telephone service,” Stadelman said. “Whether you live in an urban neighborhood or country town, you can’t fully participate in today’s economy without the internet.”

ROCKFORD– In anticipation of extreme summer heat across Illinois, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) reminds drivers to remain alert, expect slowdowns and be cautious of pavement buckling on roads.

“We all know the heat during the summer months can cause health issues and increase the risk of buckling pavement on our roads,” Stadelman said. “I’m asking Rockford residents to simply be more mindful of this when they take to the roads, and if they see any unsafe buckling to report it to roadway officials.”

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, pavement failures or blowouts occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling.

Stadelman is also reminding drivers to slow down and be cautious of construction workers when present.

Pavement failures can be reported to IDOT by calling 800-452-4368 or by reaching out to law enforcement via 911.

ROCKFORD – Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) wants to make sure Rockford area residents are aware that the secretary of state has extended the date to renew driver’s licenses, identification cards, and license plate stickers, in an effort to reduce heavy customer volume at driver services facilities and ensure current documents remain valid.

“Secretary of State Jesse White has decided to extend expiration dates for licenses, IDs, and vehicle registrations until Nov. 1,” Stadelman said. “This will give residents additional time throughout the summer and fall to renew their important documents.”

Many transactions, including renewing license plate stickers, can be done online, preventing people from waiting in line.

“During this current heat wave, I would suggest residents consider delaying their visit to a facility. But if you must visit a facility, please come prepared to wait outside due to social distancing, which limits the number of people inside a facility at one time,” Secretary of State Jesse White said.

Through July 31, driver services facilities are serving only new drivers, customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards, and vehicle transactions. Customers who must visit a facility to renew their driver’s license or ID card are encouraged to fill out the preregistration application here before their visit, which will speed up their transaction while at the facility.

ROCKFORD — Determined to assist Rockford residents navigate their finances after months of economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting credit reporting websites that are offering their services for free.

“No one could have predicted the financial hardships that are plaguing residents across our communities,” Stadelman said. “Credit reporting services can be tedious and people shouldn’t have to pay to know what their credit score is. I’m encouraging people to use the free services that are available.”

Everyone is now eligible to receive their weekly credit report for free through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion through April 2021. For more information, please visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

 “Checking your credit score on a regular basis can make you more aware of what affects it the most,” Stadelman said. “As we continue to live through these truly unprecedented times, one of the best things we can do is remain financially vigilant.”

ROCKFORD – Yesterday, Governor Pritzker signed into law a measure that will provide assistance to teachers and schools in light of the challenges they continue to face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) supported that measure and has called for additional federal aid to help Rockford Public Schools weather the pandemic and implement e-learning.

“The federal funds for Rockford schools, in addition to this law, will help Rockford area schools make the changes they need to guide our children through this crisis,” Stadelman said. “Both the funding and the law support e-learning at home – an important safety precaution that may still be necessary in the fall.”

The education package extends teacher license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take an exam they need to apply for college.

The total amount of funding Illinois schools are set to receive is close to $570 million, with Rockford expected to receive about $11.7 million, second only to Chicago Public Schools.

“I encourage school districts to find new ways to use this additional funding along with the guidance signed today, to strengthen the newly created infrastructures of e-learning and remote learning,” Stadelman said.

The federal government’s coronavirus stimulus will send $13.5 billion to schools across the country for meal programs, technology purchases, remote learning infrastructure, distance mental health programs and counseling for students, sanitization and deep cleaning, and summer programs to help address learning gaps.

The education package, Senate Bill 1569, was signed into law June 18. The measure takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the signing of the Illinois FY 2021 budget, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) applauded the preservation of education and local government funding and efforts to address the challenges presented by COVID-19.

“This budget was passed under unusual circumstances, and that cannot be overstated,” Stadelman said. “We had to not only pass a responsible budget, but also address the many challenges the state and its people have faced due to COVID-19.”

Stadelman highlighted that in this budget the state has committed to holding the line for P-12 and higher education funding.

“As a state, we must continue to maintain steady funding for our schools,” Stadelman said. “Districts have had to make significant adjustments due to COVID-19. It was important that we showed our students and educators that they are a priority.”

The budget fully funds the Local Government Distributive Fund. The fund provides local governments with a share of the state’s income tax revenue and will help them make up for budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our cities and small towns depend on us to ensure that they have enough funds to serve their residents,” Stadelman said. “Making sure that cities like Rockford receive the funds they need was a top priority for me.”

Despite financial challenges, the budget maintains services for people in need and assists small businesses hit hard by COVID-19. It also includes federal relief dollars for health care and frontline workers.

“This is a budget to help us get through the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “It certainly isn't perfect, but it provides the state with stability until there are better days to come.”

The law is effective July 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – With Illinois property taxpayers suffering, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted for legislation that will defer tax sales and gives counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

“Property taxes can be a significant financial burden for residents of communities like Rockford,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will provide much needed relief to ease the financial burden on our communities.”

The relief package gives county assessment officers the ability to approve homestead exemptions without 2020 applications for residents with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens who qualify for assessment freezes.

ROCKFORD –State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to announce the Illinois secretary of state’s announcement of the opening of a drive-thru vehicle registration facility in Rockford, beginning Tuesday.

“I’d like to thank the Secretary of State for including Rockford in the first stage of his reopening plan,” Stadelman said. “Access to facilities like the DMV are a necessary part of moving forward and getting back to some semblance of normal, everyday life.”

The facility will only be offering drive-thru services for vehicle registration sticker transactions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the opening of the facility is the first step of a reopening plan that will be announced in the coming days. The plan will include guidance on how to properly protect customers and employees.

“My commitment is to do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents, while providing services to the people of Illinois,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “This first step in a reopening plan adheres to this commitment.”

Hours of operation for the Rockford facility will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon.

All expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations have been extended at least 90 days after Driver Services facilities fully reopen. The federal government has also extended the REAL ID deadline by one year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline is now October 1, 2021.

Stadelman continues to urge the residents to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at  www.cyberdriveillinois.com for anyone who can do so. Residents can also renew their driver’s license online through the Safe Driver Renewal program, as well as obtain duplicate driver’s licenses and ID cards.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is encouraging residents to participate in the Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) ongoing Virtual Utility Bill Clinic to potentially save money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As more people spend time at home, energy usage has gone up, which means monthly utility bills are going up as well,” Stadelman said. “Families already have additional financial burdens in this uncertain time. I encourage residents to use CUB’s online clinics to help them reduce their bills.”

To participate, residents should send a copy of their most recent electric, natural gas and telecom bills to CUB at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Attn: Virtual Utility Bill Clinic.” Participants can remove personal information, but their documents should include the account holder’s name.

A CUB specialist will evaluate the bill to determine if you are signed up with an alternative supplier or if you are paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let you know if you are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy-efficiency programs.

Stadelman encourages residents to take advantage of CUB’s free utility bill clinics so to help keep their utility usage and costs in check. For more information on the program, please visit www.citizensutilityboard.org.

ROCKFORD –State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) encouraged Winnebago County residents to fill out the 2020 Census, protecting their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is an incredibly important tool that the federal government uses to determine how much money will be given to the Rockford and surrounding areas,” Stadelman said. “Filling out the census is easier than ever before with the new online questionnaire option. For a family of six, it took me 10 minutes to fill out.”

In 2010, Winnebago county had a final response rate of 72.5%. So far this year, Winnebago’s response rate is down, currently only at 67%. More than half of the county’s residents’ responses have been submitted online.

 “If the Rockford area is undercounted, we will receive less money, less representation and less influence across the state and country,” Stadelman said. “It’s up to us to be counted, or we will be counted out.”

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 you haven’t filled out your census questionnaire yet, you can visit 2020census.gov, where you can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. To see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.

ROCKFORD - To help local health departments sustain their COVID-19 response efforts in addition to their basic functions, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and other downstate Senate Democrats are pushing to double state funding to support local health departments for the coming year.

The plan would increase funding for Local Health Protection Grants to $36 million in the state’s next budget, which Stadelman agrees is key to opening up the economy.

 “Winnebago County’s recovery from COVID-19 will definitely need a fully staffed and better funded health department, and I think it’s safe to say that nearly all 100 other local health departments are in the same situation,” Stadelman said. “We need these departments operating as efficiently as possible if we want to reopen our state and local economies.”

With mounting fiscal uncertainty for county and municipal budgets, local public health efforts could be severely effected. As a member of the Senate Public Health Committee, Stadelman believes the state needs to reinforce support for local health departments.

“We are living in an unprecedented time,” Stadelman said. “We need to ensure that local health departments continue to be fully funded as local governments begin to cut back on spending.”

Local Health Protection Grants provide funding to certified local health departments to ensure that basic levels of protection for Illinois residents are maintained at the community level for infectious diseases, food protection, safety of potable water supply and private sewage disposal. Funds are distributed by the Illinois Department of Public Health based on a formula that includes population and poverty levels within each jurisdiction.

ROCKFORD – This afternoon, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) praised the Illinois Department of Public Health’s decision to open a community-based testing site in Rockford to help test Illinoisans for COVID-19. The site will open this Friday, April 24 and will be located at 1601 Parkview Ave., on the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford campus.

“As we have all heard from leading health experts, testing is the essential first step in combatting and eventually eradicating COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “With the opening of this new testing site, the Rockford area will be better equipped to halt the spread of this disease.”

While this is a free service, participants will be asked to show 1) photo identification and 2) health care employee or first responder ID or badge, if applicable.

Due to the demand for this service, it’s anticipated that there will be significant wait times for this drive-thru community-based testing site. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you are urged to call your doctor or 911 to seek immediate care and instructions.

“Expansion of testing will provide information on the prevalence of the infection in our communities and provide opportunities for aggressive contact tracing by local health departments and partners,” said Dr. Sandra Martell, Public Health Administrator at the Winnebago County Health Department. “It is through widespread testing, that we will be able to better plan for recovery.”

Illinois community-based testing sites are open seven days a week to test individuals with COVID-19 symptoms.

For additional information related to COVID-19, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov. You can also get your COVID-19 questions answered at any time of day by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-889-3931. You can also email you questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ROCKFORD – A law passed by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) could be used to ease the pain for businesses and employees during the tough economic times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also allow Illinois to take advantage of millions of dollars in federal funding designed to reimburse states for their work share programs. However, former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration never wrote the rules needed to implement the law.

The law changed how unemployment benefits are paid in Illinois, potentially reducing layoffs and improving state finances. It created "work-share" benefits, which are meant to assist struggling employers, allowing them to temporarily reduce employee hours rather than lay off workers. At the same time, workers can collect partial unemployment compensation while staying on the job part-time. This program would also help the state save money by not having to pay full benefits for employees drawing from unemployment. 

ROCKFORD – A law passed by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) could be used to ease the pain for businesses and employees during the tough economic times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also allow Illinois to take advantage of millions of dollars in federal funding designed to reimburse states for their work share programs. However, former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration never wrote the rules needed to implement the law.

The law changed how unemployment benefits are paid in Illinois, potentially reducing layoffs and improving state finances. It created "work-share" benefits, which are meant to assist struggling employers, allowing them to temporarily reduce employee hours rather than lay off workers. At the same time, workers can collect partial unemployment compensation while staying on the job part-time. This program would also help the state save money by not having to pay full benefits for employees drawing from unemployment. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic

ROCKFORD – With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing daily, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is urging doctors, nurses and other professionals in Wisconsin to apply for Illinois’ new Out of State Temporary Practice Permits.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has issued a proclamation to allow out-of-state physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and respiratory care therapists to provide care to Illinois residents affected by COVID-19.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced today that local governments and community groups are now able to apply for a nearly $80 million grant to update critical infrastructure and spur economic development in the Rockford area.

“The money provided from these grants is a great economic opportunity for our local communities,” Stadelman said. “I applaud DCEO for using this program to not only make much needed improvements to our infrastructure, but also create new jobs in the process.”

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will allow communities and stakeholders to apply for these funds. It will distribute the funds to local governments, not-for-profits, economic development groups and even private businesses, which will create new job and economic opportunities.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments (available only to local governments), $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million ready-to-go for construction projects. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.