Good morning, Rockford.

Donut Disturb, a new donut shop and Middle Eastern bakery, will open at 2975 N.

Perryville Road inside a Marathon gas station offering donuts, fresh coffee, gelato, and Middle Eastern sweets popular in Egypt, Oman, and Qatar. The shop plans to expand nationwide in 2026 — adding cold brew, gelato pints, and donut boxes.

Hussain Abdul of Amolka Coffee House has shared his Yemeni culture with Rockford locals as the growing Arab community draws new families and business owners.

Mustafa Abdall of the Greater Rockford Arab Chamber said the Chamber will host the first Arab Heritage Festival on April 26th—featuring food trucks, dancing, and live music.

Friday Night Flix has announced its summer movie lineup at the Coronado Theatre with Wicked set for June 13th, Moana 2 for July 11th and Inside Out 2 for August 1st — the event will include family activities and food trucks outside the theatre and offers free admission for all ages.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a Medicaid rate hike for nursing homes to update the support cost formula based on 2017 numbers—officials warn that without the change, more facilities could close after 31 have already shut down.

The proposed legislation will allow nine years of inflation adjustments and be funded by a nursing home bed tax as lawmakers work to meet a Friday deadline.

In 2024, employers in the Rockford Sun area filed 36 H-1B petitions that were all approved, with Health Care and Social Assistance companies submitting half and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services firms filing 22.2% of the total—reflecting a 9.1% increase from 2023 as reported by USCIS.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that creates a victim-first approach to combat human trafficking by training police to spot signs of abuse and help survivors effectively.

More than 2,000 trafficking cases were recorded from 2019 to 2023 — nearly one-third from Central Illinois — and the measure, which would extend legal deadlines for survivors, is now pending in the Senate.

Rockford Shifa Clinic will offer free health screenings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday at 1110 Arthur Ave. —the tests include blood pressure, blood sugar, and general health assessments provided by a licensed provider— and the volunteer-driven program aims to help residents facing financial or system barriers while planning to expand as demand grows.

On April 8th, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new group home at Newburg Road and Stony Creek Way to serve 10 adults with serious mental illness—located across from the Peterson Meadows retirement community.

The 8,707-square-foot facility funded by a half-cent sales tax will be completed by mid-November with residents moving in before year-end.

Easter Egg-Streme Egg Hunt

7-9 p.m. — The YMCA of Rock River Valley - Northeast Family YMCA — Free entry — Celebrate Easter with egg hunts, crafts, and a photo with the Easter bunny.

Egg Hunt at Camp Winnebago

1-4 p.m. — Camp Winnebago Branch YMCA — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt with games, crafts, and thousands of eggs filled with sweets and prizes.

34th Annual RAMI Awards

7-10:30 p.m. — Hard Rock Casino Rockford — Ticket info not specified — Celebrate the achievements of the Rockford music community during this annual awards night.

Screw City Car Show

10 AM – 2 PM — Screw City Tavern — Free entry — Celebrate spring with tacos, music, and a showcase of cars, trucks, and bikes.

Bergstrom Corporate Headquarters Tour

5:30-8 p.m. — Bergstrom Inc — Free entry — Explore the heart of Bergstrom operations since 1971 and network with industry peers.

Steve Trevino at Coronado Theatre

8:00–9:30 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices starting at $38 — Experience a night of laughter with comedian Steve Trevino.

Fresh Finds Spring Market

12-5 p.m. — Rockford Wholesalers — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful day of shopping local with handmade goods and fresh finds.