Daily
Rockford
Monday, April 27th, 2026
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 27th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sixteen local shops are hosting a Boutique Crawl in anticipation of The Devil Wears Prada 2; visitors who collect a punch card and visit at least 12 shops by noon on Friday, May 1, will be entered to win two AMC tickets. WIFR
- ➤ Gretta’s Goats at Short Leg Farm in Pecatonica offers a miniature goat hike lasting between 45 and 60 minutes for all ages. The next hike is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at 498 N Farwell Bridge Rd with tickets at $23 and children under 2 free. WIFR
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Operators Guanming Shi and James Jiang will transform the vacant former Kmart site (5909 E. State Street) into a global marketplace and ethnic food hall, with the deal set to close by Sept. 3 pending financing. 14th Ward Alderperson Mark Bonne said the plan will boost sales tax revenues and provide opportunities for local vendors. WIFR
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On April 24 and 25, local artists displayed and sold art at Spring ArtScene, held (across 47 venues) in Rockford. Organized by the Rockford Area Arts Council, the event featured paintings, sculptures and jewelry. WIFR
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A study by Rock Valley College with the Region 1 Planning Council shows it supports 1,200 jobs and adds $130 million to local GDP + yields a 1.39 return for students, while the upcoming Downtown West Campus will boost output and draw new residents later this year. Rockford Register Star
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ A shuttered Kmart on East State Street will become a global market and food hall featuring fresh produce plus a bakery, buffet and eight food vendors. Alderman Bonne and partners plan to close a $6.5M deal with U-Haul by early September and update the property with landscaping and outlot improvements. Rock River Current
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Coach Jason Warner and trainer Gene Houston hosted a 3-on-3 basketball camp at Sports Factory in downtown where 30 3rd-6th graders honed their skills and decision-making, and they will host a competitive full-court camp on Sunday, May 3. WIFR
- ➤ The PWBA Rockford Open will be held at the Cherry Bowl from April 30 to May 2, drawing 65 top women bowlers including local athletes Kayla Sommer, Rebecca Hagerman, and Kayla Verstraete. Qualifying rounds begin Friday at 10 a.m. with finals broadcast live on BowlTV Saturday. Rockford Register Star
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Heart Vs Hustle: Dej Loaf and Rob49 Concert
7-10 p.m. — Hard Rock Live - Rockford — Ticket availability varies — Enjoy an electrifying night with Dej Loaf and Rob49 at the Hard Rock Casino.
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
Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.
~ Henry Ford
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