Daily
Rockford
Tuesday, July 8th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 8th of July.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Alpine Kiwanis Club will host its 54th annual Brat Days on July 11+12 in Rockford at CherryVale Mall and Blains Farm Fleet from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday. On July 11, a drive-thru Take Your Brat to Work Day breakfast will offer brats for $4 each while ticketed meals cost $8 in advance or $10 at the event, with proceeds supporting local nonprofits and high school scholarships. WIFR
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Rockford police arrested a 17-year-old who fled from a party on the 3400 block of Greendale Drive at 3:45 a.m. Sunday after officers found him with a loaded handgun with an extended magazine—he now faces charges of obstructing, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and lacking a valid firearm owner’s identification. WTVO
- ➤ Stephen Croom, a 45-year-old Rockford man, was sentenced on June 26 to 36 years in prison for three counts of criminal sexual assault in 2018—DNA evidence from the victim's clothing and her identification via a photograph linked him to the crime. WIFR
- ➤ On July 7 just before 1:15 a.m., Rockford police responded to a Shot Spotter alert at the 1200 block of Preston Street, detaining two 15-year-olds and a 19-year-old; one teen is held in Winnebago County juvenile detention for possessing fireworks and a loaded gun (charged with reckless discharge, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, no valid FOID, and fireworks and curfew violations) while the other teen (charged with resisting arrest) was released to a parent and the 19-year-old was later released. WIFR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City Council approved a plan to build 24 luxury condos at 5918 Elaine Drive and delayed a vote on a 180-unit duplex and quadplex rental project in east Rockford to let local groups work with the developer — construction on the condos is expected to begin in late summer or early fall with units priced around $400,000 each. Rock River Current
- ➤ Rockford Fire Chief Michele Pankow received the key to the city Monday evening at City Hall and was honored with a thank-you plaque. She will leave her post on July 9 as interim chief Brian Carlson takes over—Pankow, the first woman to serve as fire chief, is set to soon begin work as Illinois State Fire Marshal. WIFR
- ➤ City Council members in Loves Park and Rockford approved extending the 1% grocery tax on Monday, July 7 to keep in place an annual revenue of about $6 million to $8 million after the state cuts the tax on Jan. 1. Municipal leaders must act by Oct. 1—ensuring funds continue to support key services. Rock River Current
- ➤ Rockford City Council voted 8-6 on Monday to pass a zoning amendment that removes the special use permit for self-storage warehouses—limiting them to industrial zones. The move aims to keep these facilities out of residential and commercial areas and now moves to the Zoning Officer for review by the Zoning Board of Appeals. WIFR
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Screw City Duathlon and Multi-Sports Event
8 AM — Peak Sports Club — Register by July 8, 2024 — Participate in a thrilling duathlon, team duathlon, or 2-mile run/walk in a community-focused event.
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Japanese Summer Festival
Experience Japanese culture — July 26-27 — Anderson Japanese Gardens — Admission details not specified — Enjoy live performances, martial arts, crafts, and delicious cuisine in a serene garden setting.
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Greater Rockford Classic
Fri-Sun, Aug 1-3 — Aldeen Golf Club — Registration Fee Required — Compete in a nearly century-old tournament with 54 holes of stroke play open to players aged 14 and older.
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Maxwell Concert
7-10 p.m. — Hard Rock Live - Rockford — Tickets from $86 — Experience a night of soulful melodies with Maxwell at Hard Rock Casino.
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Dockside Live featuring Tristan Sheedloe
6-9 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Free entry — Enjoy original tunes and 90s grunge covers while relaxing by the riverfront.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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