Meet Steve!
Steve Stadelman is the Rockford area’s dedicated State Senator, committed to policies that improve the lives of his neighbors in the 34th District. Raised on a dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin, Steve is no stranger to adversity. He witnessed his parents lose their farm due to the high cost of cancer treatments for his sister, and his father had to change jobs. This experience was life-changing for Steve and drives him to advocate for better economic opportunities and affordable, quality healthcare for all. His dedication to making life better for others is the backbone of his work every day in the Illinois State Senate.
After earning a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Steve spent 25 years as a respected reporter and news anchor at WTVO Channel 17 in Rockford. During this time, Steve connected deeply with the community, listening to countless stories and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing the Rockford region and Illinois. His commitment to uncovering the truth and giving a voice to the people laid the foundation for his compassionate and informed approach to public service.
He was elected to represent the 34th District in 2012. Since then, Steve has championed laws to ensure no one is denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. As the father of a child with Type-1 Diabetes, he worked to cap the cost of insulin. He has been instrumental in securing equitable funding for public schools, bringing millions of additional dollars to Rockford area schools, and he’s passed legislation to upgrade local youth sports facilities.
His wins for his community include expanding tax credits for redeveloping downtown buildings and securing significant funding for passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago, which will soon become a reality. Thanks to legislation he sponsored, the Belvidere Assembly Plant is scheduled to not only reopen, but Stellantis also agreed to build a new plant and distribution center that will lead to 5,000 new jobs in the area.
Steve is a basketball fan and he shares his love of the sport with his community by organizing a free annual basketball tournament that fosters unity across Rockford. He remains dedicated to bringing good-paying jobs to Rockford, making healthcare affordable, and helping families stay ahead of rising costs.
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We’re looking for volunteers to help make sure Steve is re-elected to the Illinois Senate. See how you can get involved.
VIEW THE ISSUES
As a state senator, he has focused on the issues that matter most to Illinoisans, like improving access to health care and providing high-quality education and job training opportunities.