Rockford Sun

Two pieces of legislation with direct local impact were signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday. State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, was Chief House Sponsor of both bills, which passed the House of Representatives on May 23.

Senate Bill 951 allows the City of Marengo to acquire the land needed to extend water and sanitary sewer services for the Interstate 90-Illinois Route 23 Corridor in conjunction with a grant award from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity in the amount of $26,900,000. The new law takes effect immediately.

“The City of Marengo has worked hard over a number of years to plan for taking the necessary steps to provide water and sewer service to new residents from I-90 north along Illinois Route 23,” Sosnowski said. “Our bill makes the necessary change in state law allowing the City to acquire the final parcels of land they need to meet the needs of their growing and vibrant community.”

Senate Bill 3302 amends state law to allow the North Boone Fire Protection District #3 located at 305 West Grove Street in Poplar Grove to rent their hall to members of the community for occasions with alcohol. Prior to this change, the hall was covered by a law that prohibits the sale or delivery of liquor in any building owned by the State or a local government entity, including a fire protection district. With no other banquet facility in Poplar Grove available for residents to access, the North Boone Fire Protection District will be able to offer their hall for rent for occasions that allow alcohol. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2025.

“Residents of Poplar Grove deserve to have a local facility available to rent for hosting all types of occasions, including events where alcohol may legally be served,” Representative Sosnowski said. “It has been a pleasure working with the North Boone Fire Protection District to make the change they need in state law to be able to rent their hall for events with alcohol. Local families and organizations will benefit from this change by being able to gather and celebrate in Poplar Grove.”