Steve Stadelman is a Democratic state senator representing Illinois' 34th District, which includes Rockford and parts of Winnebago County such as Machesney Park, Loves Park, and Cherry Valley. Born on October 30, 1960, he was first elected in 2012 with 64% of the vote and has served continuously since 2013 as a full-time legislator. A former award-winning television news anchor and reporter at WTVO-Channel 17 in Rockford for 25 years, he is a father of four, including a child with Type-1 diabetes, and grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; three-sport athlete at Brodhead High School.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Illinois Senate in 2012; chairs the Higher Education, Local Government, and Revenue committees, and serves on committees including Appropriations, Commerce, Redistricting, and Transportation.
• Notable Achievements: Named Legislator of the Year in 2018 for expanding the Rivers Edge tax credit to redevelop historic Rockford properties and previously by the National Alliance on Mental Illness; co-sponsored Rockford casino legislation; secured $275 million for Chicago-Rockford passenger rail; capped insulin costs and protected pre-existing condition coverage; brought millions in school funding to the area; sponsored youth sports facility upgrades and Belvidere Assembly Plant reopening, creating 5,000 jobs.