Good morning, Rockford.

Rockford native Fred VanVleet headlined the 3rd annual Diamonds Storytelling Gala held at Hard Rock Live on Thursday, June 12th, and proceeds supported the Founders Commission with part of the night’s earnings aiding the VanVleet Family Foundation to help local youth.

A Rockford woman who was eight months pregnant died Tuesday when her car crashed at the intersection of Spring Creek+Shaw roads in Belvidere Township, and her baby was delivered by emergency surgery and is in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Imperial Punch — Manufacturing in Rockford will receive a $50,000 grant from the Made in Illinois program to help small and mid-size makers.

The company, which makes tooling for fastening, extruding, and metal stamping, is one of 29 recipients of the state’s $1.3 million capital funding.

Hundreds of Rockford educators attended a summer symposium hosted by the Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education to learn about trauma-informed practices and emotional literacy.

The training aimed to reduce teacher burnout and equip staff with strategies to support students — a clear sign of ongoing efforts to boost classroom resilience — and organizers plan to hold the event for years to come.

Rockford Public Library's Executive Director, Lynn Stainbrook, announced her retirement after 11 years in office—she led the construction of the new Main Library and launched key library programs—and Anthony Cortez, the current Director of Finance and Technology, will take over when she retires on August 5.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said that city police, the sheriff’s office and state police did not join any ICE activity that took place on Thursday morning on the southwest side.

He added that he supports the immigrant community and reminded residents that local agencies follow the TRUST Act—laws meant to protect their rights.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara addressed reports of ICE activity after social media videos raised concerns Thursday morning in southwest Rockford.

He said local, county, and state law enforcement confirmed they were not involved — officials will continue investigating to determine who was in the community.

BraveHearts is adding a new equine therapy site at a ranch just outside Rockford after receiving a 133-acre donation from the Perks family, Foglia Family Foundation, and CJ Boyd Fund.

The facility will serve as a rest and recovery center for therapy horses (supporting BraveHearts’ services already available in Poplar Grove and Harvard) to help veterans and others heal.

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.