Good morning, Rockford.

The Mercato by Lino’s and several vendors celebrated their grand opening Monday with a ribbon cutting at 8400 E.

Riverside Blvd in Loves Park. The new hub will serve as a local center for food, drinks, fashion and other businesses.

A 70-year-old Rockford man, Kevin Barbour, died on Sunday when he was hit by a westbound vehicle while turning onto Pebble Creek Trail from Riverside Blvd at 1:35 p.m.—the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office said he suffered multiple blunt traumas.

A Rockford man, Jakari Williams, 26, pleaded guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm after a shooting outside the DMV in 2023 & he was sentenced to 6 years in prison with credit for 514 days served as attempted murder charges were dismissed.

A man and a woman from Rockford were arrested after allegedly breaking into a home on Normandy Avenue on June 8 and starting a fight that left injuries, with court documents showing Audrey Brinda, 25, facing charges for home invasion causing injury, trespass and domestic battery and Maurice Yancy, 24, charged with home invasion, trespass and battery causing bodily harm—both are set for arraignment on July 9.

Freeport Police detained five Rockford residents after a disturbance at a rental property in the 1800 block of Indian Springs Court where an AK-47 and seven semi-automatic guns were found — three of which were fitted with illegal switch devices — and charges are pending further forensic reviews.

Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1550 to allow state security grants to libraries after violent threats in recent years, and the bill now awaits Governor Pritzker's signature — local library officials say the measure will help protect workers and patrons.

Rockford library experts support the bill as a needed step to improve safety in community spaces.

Traffic on East State Street will drop to one lane today as crews replace a fire hydrant in the 3300 block from Fairview Avenue—city officials ask drivers to use caution and take alternate routes since work may last one to two business days based on weather.

A Rockford City Council committee rejected a plan on June 9 that would force new self-storage facilities to be built mainly in industrial zones—officials debated the need to help commercial areas while controlling the growth of these facilities.

Ald. Gabrielle Torina said the measure would remove the flexibility needed to review projects on a case-by-case basis.

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!

Rockford Job Fair

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Rockford — Free entry — Connect face-to-face with several employers hiring in the Rockford area.

Lifescape 4th of July Classic Run/Walk

7:00–11:00 a.m. — Riverview Ice House — Registration required — Celebrate Independence Day with a classic run/walk through downtown Rockford.