Daily
Rockford
Friday, August 15th, 2025
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Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County and Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden will open a natural playground at Nancy Olson Children’s Garden on Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in Rockford—funded by a $389,900 grant to offer year-round outdoor play. Rockford Register Star
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Today, the Better Business Bureau warned consumers about scammers targeting recent scam victims by posing as officials and demanding fees to recover lost money—officials advise verifying offers directly and avoiding upfront payment methods. WIFR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois State Board of Education adopted new proficiency benchmarks to track student reading, writing, science and math better—schools will use the recalibrated 2025 rates with an updated accountability system on the 2026 Report Card. Officials said the new system was developed over 18 months with input from educators to show students' true academic performance. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford Public Schools reassured migrant students from Mexican, African — and Middle Eastern backgrounds that their immigration records remain private before the new school year began on August 14th. The district also said it will hold family engagement events to help parents learn their rights and support student success. WTVO
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Rockford leaders analyzed crash data from 2017 through 2022 in a federal program—Safe Streets and Roads for All—that found dangerous intersections such as a high crash area on Kishwaukee Street. The plan calls for adding crosswalks and upgrading intersections to reduce crashes and move toward Vision Zero, and Rockford residents have until Aug. 23 to share their feedback. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford finished resurfacing a little more than a mile of West Riverside Boulevard between Central Avenue and Packard Parkway—Rockton Avenue and Latham Street—on August 13th after nearly 500 pothole complaints in 2024. The project used a $12 million surplus and is one of four road improvements that will also fix Alpine, Mulford and Spring Creek Roads by Labor Day to serve more than 80,000 vehicles. Rock River Current
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Deputy Chief Brian Kunce of North Park Fire Protection District is battling stage 4 cancer after over 43 years of service, and the community is raising funds to help with his medical and family needs through The Yard Foundation—donations will directly support his care. WIFR
- ➤ Chief Brian Kunce (43 years of service) is battling stage 4 cancer as a Chicago charity launched a fundraiser to help his family cover treatment expenses. He has dedicated his career at the North Park Fire Protection District and now faces a tough battle with his health. WTVO
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
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RAMP River Run Half Marathon
11 AM — Downtown Rockford — Registration fee required — A spirited half marathon encouraging competition and community fun to cap off the summer.
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Dinner on the Dock with Random AF
5-10 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Varied food and drink costs — Enjoy high-energy covers from the vibrant band Random AF while dining on the riverfront.
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.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Rockford
Welcome to the Daily Rockford, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Rockford, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Rockford, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Rockford.
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