Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - April 28, 2017
Stadelman passes legislation to help domestic violence victims leave
State Senator Steve Stadelman secured passage of legislation this week allowing domestic violence victims to continue using their cell phone plans after separating from their abusers.
"One of the reasons people stay in abusive relationships is financial dependence," Stadelman said. "This legislation removes the roadblock of having to find money to set up a new phone plan. Anything we can do to make it easier to leave is a positive step."
The measure requires wireless providers to transfer the right to continue to use phone numbers on an account the victim shares with the abuser. Similar legislation was recently enacted in California, Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin.
"As we know, cell phones have become nearly essential in modern life," Stadelman said. "This legislation allows men and women leaving abusive situations to keep their photos, addresses, contacts and emails, and to continue using their phone to seek housing and employment."
The measure amends current law to allow victims to petition the court for the right to continue use of a phone number as part of a petition for an order of protection.
Senate Bill 57 passed unanimously in the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.
WATCH VIDEO of Senator Stadelman discussing the legislation.
Stadelman measure to direct federal funds to low-income student passes Senate in unanimous vote
Legislation introduced by State Senator Steve Stadelman that would put tens of millions of federal dollars intended for the education of at-risk students back into local schools, rather than into teacher pension accounts, won Senate approval this week. The measure to reform the use of federal Title 1 money would take effective July 1 and free up as much as $1.6 million for Rockford public schools.
"Right now, school districts are being required to use federal funds that are meant to go to students to pay down the state's pension debt," Stadelman said. "This disproportionately affects at-risk students in the districts that need help the most."
The legislation allows school districts to pay into federally funded teachers' pensions at the same rate as all other teachers, cutting the districts' contribution rate from 45 percent to 7 percent. Individual teachers' pensions would not be affected.
Dr. Ehren Jarrett, Rockford Public Schools Superintendent, testified in committee in favor of the legislation last month. "What we're advocating for is to let those federal dollars go to what the teachers and the principals in those schools say they need most, which is support for struggling students," Jarrett said. "This is an opportunity for equity for those schools."
Title 1 funding provides federal assistance to school districts with high percentages of low-income students to make sure their educational needs are met. Schools can use the money for individual, classroom or building-wide programs so long as they are designed to bring students up to state academic standards.
Senate Bill 0195 passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.
Happiness is yelling bingo!
Residents at Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Health Care in Rockford asked some tough questions when Senator Stadelman spoke to them about state legislative issues, including an update on the budget impasse, but bingo numbers were what they really wanted to hear. Bingo, as Senator Stadelman discovered, bingo has become more high tech. Gone are the old wire cage filled with pinpong balls: The purple box he's holding provided digitally generated numbers with a push of the yellow button. In the foreground, Marjorie and Georgia eagerly await the right call.
Center of Hope ROCK FOR THE CENTER Family Festival, May 7
Local Democrats
a Note from a Very Worth Organization
Barbara Olson Center of Hope
Friends, I would really appreciate if you would please forward this email, as much as possible,
to your family and friends, fellow employees, business acquaintances, etc. Find us at www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org or on Facebook and Share the link under EVENTS! Please help us have a huge turnout for our event.
(I can email you the flyer you see below, if you want to print & post.)
Thank you, and I hope to see you there!
Come to the Center of Hope ROCK FOR THE CENTER Family Festival, May 7!
Barbara Olson Center of Hope hosts its main fundraiser of the year, Rock for the Center Family Festival, Sunday, May 7, noon to 6 p.m., at the Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, in Rockford. For a $10 admission, you can listen to THREE Local bands: Minimal, The Missing Links, and Mr. Big Stuff! You can also win wonderful prizes in the Chance Raffle (buy $1 tickets to throw into the container for the prize you want to win)! Some of our raffle items are: Golf & Cart packages at Aldeen, Olive Garden gift basket, "MindGames" pass for ten, and much more! You can walk away with great prizes!
There will be children's games, raffles, food, and craft vendors. Tom Wartowski, author of You are like an Acorn, and Jill Calvagna, illustrator, will be signing their book, available for a donation to the Center.
The Center of Hope offers programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and looks to fundraising events for supplemental income. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child 12 & under. Advance purchases (before May 5) earn double the kids' game tickets). See website www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org for tickets and information, or call Mary at 815-964-9275, ext. 265.
Senators Holmes, Mulroe and Raoul Fundraiser, May 1, Springfield, IL
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Litesa Wallace: Funding for Violence Prevention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR MORE INFORMATION:
April 26, 2017 Litesa Wallace
(815) 987-7433
Wallace backs Proposal for Emergency Funding for Violence Reduction in
Majority Minority Led Districts
Springfield, IL. April 26, 2017. Black and latino members of the House
have introduced legislation that will provide emergency funding for
violence reduction in all representative districts led by black and
latino members. Members will outline the proposal at a press conference
to be held at 1:30pm on Wednesday, April 26th in the Blue Room at the
Illinois State Capitol.
House Bill 4008, sponsored by Rep. Litesa Wallace (D-67) appropriates
$56,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to provide grants to be
disbursed to community based organizations that are based entirely
within those representative districts. If the measure is approved, each
district will receive 2 million dollars in grants to address prevention
using a culturally competent approach for initiatives such as youth
services, after-school programming, summer jobs, vocational programs,
community outreach, communications and more. Other bill sponsors include
Rep. Cynthia Soto (D-4), Rep. Sonya Harper (D-6), Rep. Carol Ammons
(D-103), Rep. Camille Lilly (D-78), Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-83), Rep.
LaShawn Ford (D-8), Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-24), Rep. Justin
Slaughter (D-27), Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin (D-10) and Rep. Silvana
Tabares (D-21).
"This bill is about preparing our communities for another traumatic
bloody summer that we fear is coming if we don't put some extra measures
in place now. More than 4300 people were shot last year in Chicago
alone. We cannot afford to lose more lives in this State." Rep. Sonya
Harper
"We know that this emergency aid will not contain everything that is
needed to permanently reduce gun violence. We also know that we cannot
reduce violence without making a long-term commitment to lifting people
out of poverty and addressing the effects of trauma among other things.
But we do believe that this measure shows that black and latino members
of the Illinois House of Representatives are serious about doing
something about all the lives that are being lost to senseless gun
violence on a daily basis." Rep. Litesa Wallace
"The fact that we still do not have a budget means there is going to be
even more bloodshed on our streets this year and we need to be prepared.
We need to pass a budget, and we need to pass this emergency funding
bill to reduce violence right now." Rep. Cynthia Soto
We are to standing together and working together to bring the aid,
funding, capacity building as well as the short and long term solutions
to reducing gun violence while at the same improving the quality of life
for all vulnerable residents in the State." Rep. Camille Lilly
Join Mike Frerichs State Treasurer on May 8th!
Dear Friend,
Please join me on Monday, May 8th for an event hosted by the Illinois REALTORS!
The event will take place at the IL REALTORS headquarters in Springfield (522 S. 5th Street) from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Please see the invitation below for further details. If you would like to RSVP online for the event, please click here. For questions, call 312-854-8018 or email rsvp@p2consultinginc.com.
I'm looking forward to catching up with wonderful friends and supporters!
Sincerely,
Mike
| Paid for by Friends of Frerichs |
Friends of Frerichs
45 E. University, Suite 205
Champaign IL 61820 United States
45 E. University, Suite 205
Champaign IL 61820 United States
Daniel Biss Meet and Greet this Saturday, April 22, 2017
Daniel Biss
Meet and Greet
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Please join the Winnebago County Democrats to meet state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss this Saturday, April 22nd, at 2pm at the IBEW hall, 6820 Mill Road in Rockford.
First as a mathematics professor, and now as a legislator, Daniel Biss has always tackled the hardest problems.
While teaching, Daniel's desire to confront our state's most critical problems compelled him to get more involved in his local community — first as an organizer, and later as a candidate.
Daniel has taken on the machine and won, and now focuses on offering long-term, creative solutions and fighting for those whose voices are typically ignored. He has been a leader in the resistance against the dangerous policies of both Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner.
You can read more about Daniel and his campaign here:
Please come to our Meet and Greet on Saturday to hear directly from Daniel and ask him your questions.
Bus Trip to Springfield to Advocate for Women’s Issues
Media Advisory
From State Representative Litesa Wallace
Bus Trip to Springfield to Advocate for Women's Issues
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Local residents will travel to Springfield Tuesday to highlight and advocate for women's issues through a bus trip organized by SEIU and state Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford.
"Women's issues have been at the forefront of debate this legislative session, and I encourage local residents to bring their voices to Springfield," Wallace said. "Whether it's ensuring access to healthcare or making sure equal pay is the law, we need to make certain that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize that these issues are priorities that need to be addressed."
Tuesday will mark the "Women's March on Springfield," which aims to unify women throughout the state in the fight for rights for women and other marginalized groups. The event will include a march through streets in Springfield, and end with a rally near the Capitol. Wallace has introduced legislation this session supported by women's rights advocates, including a bill to provide for feminine hygiene products in schools and a measure to restore funding for domestic violence shelters.
For more information, please contact Wallace's constituent service office at 815-987-7433 or at litesa@staterepwallace.com.
Who: Local women's rights advocates
What: Bus trip to Springfield to participate in Women's March on Springfield
When: Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 a.m. (Bus departs at 8 a.m.)
Where: Parking Lot of Southgate Shopping Center (near Kmart on Sandy Hollow and 11th St)
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Discussion About Illinois State Budget, April 29, 11 AM
Illinois State Budget Discussion
Saturday, April 29, 2017
11 am to 1 PM
Swedish American Hospital
1401 E. State St
Rockford, IL
Please RSVP
https://goo.gl/HBUxgW
Daniel Biss Meet and Greet this Saturday, April 22, 2017
Daniel Biss
Meet and Greet
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Please join the Winnebago County Democrats to meet state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss this Saturday, April 22nd, at 2pm at the IBEW hall, 6820 Mill Road in Rockford.
First as a mathematics professor, and now as a legislator, Daniel Biss has always tackled the hardest problems.
While teaching, Daniel's desire to confront our state's most critical problems compelled him to get more involved in his local community — first as an organizer, and later as a candidate.
Daniel has taken on the machine and won, and now focuses on offering long-term, creative solutions and fighting for those whose voices are typically ignored. He has been a leader in the resistance against the dangerous policies of both Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner.
You can read more about Daniel and his campaign here:
Please come to our Meet and Greet on Saturday to hear directly from Daniel and ask him your questions.
Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - April 19, 2017
| The Rising Cost of State Budget Chaos As Illinois nears the two-year mark without a budget, the impact of the political stalemate becomes more obvious and far-reaching with each passing day.
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Stadelman speaks candidly on budget impasse
At three Town Hall meetings in a week, Senator Steve Stadelman told citizens he fears deep political divisions in Springfield will prevent Illinois from passing a budget until after the 2018 election for governor, when the state's backlog of bills will approach $24 billion.
Stadelman explained to two audiences in Rockford and a third in Machesney Park that 90 percent of state spending is on auto pilot through court orders, contractual obligations and special legislation to keep public schools open. With fallout confined to the remaining 10 percent of the budget, there hasn't been sufficient pressure to break the two-year long impasse. Higher education and social services such as Meals on Wheels for seniors, after-school programs for at-risk teens and domestic violence shelters are going unfunded or underfunded.
"When you deal with ideology and 'my way or the highway,' nothing gets accomplished in government," Stadelman said Tuesday evening during the third gathering at the Rockford Public Library East Branch. "What's happening now isn't good for anybody, no matter what your political leanings are. The negative headlines don't make Illinois an attractive place to locate businesses, which prevents us from growing the economy and creating jobs."
Stadelman said he had high hopes for a bi-partisan Senate compromise, which incorporated some of Rauner's self-titled "turnaround agenda." But the compromise collapsed after Rauner called off Republicans as they were about to approve the most critical parts of the multi-bill deal.
Although Stadelman isn't opposed to some of Rauner proposals, several -- such as property tax relief, independent political mapping and term limits -- have "zero impact on the state budget." He also questioned why Rauner has avoided using the line-item veto to amend budgets sent to him previously by the General Assembly, rather than issue a blanket rejection..
"The governor has this amazing tool that he chooses not to use," Stadelman said. "Why? Because as soon as you mention specific cuts in the budget, people get upset."
Citizens asked about issues ranging from restoring passenger rail service to Chicago and fully legalizing marijuana to pension reform and gun legislation, with Stadelman drawing the biggest applause for his strong opposition to any attempts to limit voting rights in Illinois.
Elected in November 2016 to a second term, Stadelman also discussed legislation that is working its way through the General Assembly, despite the budget gridlock, including legislation he passed in the Senate to let pharmacists to refill prescriptions without doctor authorization if abruptly discontinuing a medication could cause medical harm. Stadelman introduced Senate Bill 1790, now pending in the Illinois House, after his son, a Type 1 diabetic, ran out of insulin and needles while on family vacation at a time when his doctor could not be reached.
Canceled - Ameya Pawar Rockford Meet and Greet Canceled
The Rockford Meet and Greet with
Ameya Pawar
for Governor
originally scheduled for today, Thursday, April 20, 2017
has been canceled.
We apologize for this inconvenience.
We do not have a future date to give you at this time.
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Wallace Backed Bill to Protect Health Insurance for those with Pre-Existing Conditions
News From State Representative Litesa Wallace
Wallace Backed Bill to Protect Health Insurance for those with Pre-Existing Conditions
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Regardless of changes to healthcare on the federal level, individuals with pre-existing conditions would still be able to be offered health insurance in Illinois under legislation backed by state Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford.
"One of the main components of the Affordable Care Act was that it allowed for residents to receive healthcare insurance even if they had a pre-existing condition," Wallace said. "Without this provision in place, families would lose access to critical care and face extreme healthcare bills that would severely hurt their personal finances."
Wallace is supporting House Bill 2959, which would amend the state's insurance code to prevent individual or group accidental health insurance coverage from imposing pre-existing condition exclusions. The effort is in response to proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on the federal level, which may or may not keep this provision.
"Regardless of what happens in Washington, we need to take steps here in Illinois to protect our most vulnerable," Wallace said. "We have an obligation to look out for individuals and families in need, not corporations looking to increase profit margins."
For more information, please contact Wallace's constituent service office at 815-987-7433 or at litesa@staterepwallace.com.
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