Good morning, Rockford.

The 23-year-old daughter of a Rockford woman who died in a house fire on May 12 created a GoFundMe campaign to support her siblings and help pay for their mother's funeral.

The fundraiser comes after the loss of their only remaining parent, as their father passed away in 2021.

A coalition led by the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence met on Tuesday, May 20th at the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford Stenstrom Unit to find new ways to improve high-speed internet and digital skills in Rockford.

Supported by Comcast’s $20,000 donation, the group— which includes Goodwill Industries, Rockford Public Schools, and local housing authorities— aims to help the estimated 16% of residents who lack reliable online access.

James Purifoy, owner of Rockford burger restaurant 15th & Chris, was indicted by a federal grand jury on arson charges for setting fire to his restaurant in January 2023.

Hometown Jams will bring alternative and pop-rock bands to the Coronado Theatre at 6 p.m. Sept.

26 in Rockford. Grammy-nominated KT Tunstall will open the show (performing hits like Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See) while Toad the Wet Sprocket and Vertical Horizon follow with their popular tracks.

Christian rock stars Zach Williams, Crowder, and Matt Maher will perform at the BMO Center on November 6th—tickets will go on sale Friday, May 23rd on Ticketmaster and at the BMO box office.

Gov. JB Pritzker named Rockford a State-Designated Cultural District—it is now known as the Heritage District—to preserve its history and traditions, and the district is eligible to apply for up to $3 million in funding tailored to its cultural needs.

Four middle school students from Rockford will compete in the 100th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. later this month—preliminaries start on May 27 and finals are set for May 29.

Rock River Valley Blood Centers will be open Saturday, May 24 to address a critical shortage of O-negative and O-positive blood and urge eligible donors to help meet rising hospital needs.

The Perryville center will operate from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the Longwood and Freeport centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.—walk-ins are welcome and first-time donors should bring photo ID.

Info Session on the Impact of Property Tax Sales

Join us for an important community event focused on property tax sales and how they impact Rockford residents. This is a FREE event open to the public—everyone is welcome! 📍 Location: Crusader Community Health Clinic | 📅 Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM | 📍 Address: 1200 W State St, Rockford, IL 61102

8th Annual Miracle Mile Car Show

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Don Carter Lanes — Entry fee $20, spectators free — Celebrate automotive passion with a showcase of cool rides and live music.

On-Site Tour at Grand Victorian

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Grand Victorian of Rockford — Free entry — Explore award-winning senior living activities and dining options in a welcoming environment.

Timber Pointe Party Band Performance

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Timber Pointe Golf Club — Check event page for ticket info — High energy party band covering a wide variety of music from the 70’s to today’s hits.

Portillo's Golden Apple Give Back Day

Golden Apple Foundation will receive 20% of the receipts for purchases from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at 6090 E. State St., Rockford. Join us for some great food and drinks! Order online or in-app for pickup using code PORTILLOS36 before checkout in the “Coupon Code” field or let the cashier know when ordering at the restaurant. Valid on drive-thru, pickup, kiosk and in-restaurant orders!