Daily
Rockford
Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 15th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Baby Bank marked a milestone on Monday when it gave away its one millionth diaper to local families at Brooke Road United Methodist Church. The Belvidere-based nonprofit has been supporting northern Illinois families with diaper supplies since 2018. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford Area Salvation Army has served residents for over 100 years by offering food, housing, and case management support through programs like Pathway of Hope + it will open a new Hope Center later this year to further expand services in Winnebago County. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Preservationists are racing to save the 163-year-old Briggs Mansion (a potential Underground Railroad site) from demolition planned in May by SwedishAmerican Hospital, which bought the property for expansion. Rock River Current
- ➤ Menards stores in Rockford and nearby towns are collecting pet supplies from April 1 to May 31 to support the local humane group. Donors drop off items in the Pet & Wildlife Department at participating locations. Rockford Register Star
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ DISH Network has kept WIFR off its service for over a month after extending coverage during big events like NFL playoffs, as Gray Media says it rejected DISH’s proposals and added stricter terms; viewers can still access WIFR on other providers. WIFR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UIC Rockford is offering a free STEM camp from June 22 to June 26 at its campus and an eight-week paid Summer Science Internship from June 15 to August 7 for high school students seeking biomedical research + career experience. Applications for both programs are due April 17. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Two Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Middle School sixth-graders won the Cal Ripken Senior STEM Super Bowl Engineering and 3D Printing Challenge for their interactive stage design, which featured wired lighting and 3D-printed figures. Their teacher said they are now awaiting the prize — details remain undisclosed. WIFR
- ➤ Dr. Antoine Reed — a Rockford official from RPS 205 — is one of three finalists considered to lead Sun Prairie Area School District. The school board will choose a candidate by Thursday and the new superintendent will start on July 1. WIFR
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents can attend a free talk on rewilding and ecological stewardship led by educator Jessie Crow Mermel on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Nature at the Confluence in South Beloit; the event begins with a mindfulness walk at 6 p.m. +Bring water+ and +wear comfortable shoes+. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois and Dell Technologies will host a free computer recycling event on Wednesday, April 22 from noon to 3 p.m. at Goodwill’s Perryville store (3068 McFarland Road, across from Woodman’s) to help residents safely dispose of unwanted electronics and reduce waste. Rock River Current
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Rockford Historic Preservation Commission met Tuesday, April 14 to approve March 10 meeting minutes — review certificates for work at 304 South Second Street and 1010 Ridgewood Road — and discuss enforcing historic guidelines at Briggs Mansion and 415 May Street. Rockford Sun
-
Los Huracanes Del Norte Live Concert
7-10 p.m. — Hard Rock Casino Rockford — Ticket prices vary — Experience the lively sounds of Los Huracanes Del Norte in a vibrant setting.
-
Rockford Handmade Market - Spring 2026
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Free entry — Experience a vibrant showcase of local creativity and craftsmanship in the spring market.
-
Lonely Teenage Cassette Release Show
8-10 p.m. — The Music Box — $15.08 — Experience an ambient/drone night with the local duo Lonely Teenage and special guests.
-
Mother's Day Garden Celebration
12-3 p.m. — Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden — General admission required — Celebrate Mother's Day with floral arrangements, live music, and delicious food in a beautiful garden setting.
-
The Wizard of Oz
6 PM — Rockford Woman's Club — Cost not specified — Experience a captivating retelling of the beloved classic as you journey down the yellow brick road.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Rockford
Welcome to the Daily Rockford, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Rockford, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Rockford, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Rockford.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Rockford and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Rockford
A free Rockford community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyrockford.com/sitemap