Good morning, Rockford.

Firefighters and emergency responders saw new fire trucks, ambulances and safety tech during the MacQueen Illinois Road Rally on Wednesday in Rockford.

They compared equipment including trucks with sensors and a concept ambulance that lets crews remain buckled in while treating patients.

Nathan Lilliebridge’s 1,403-piece Lego sock monkey bobblehead, named Harry, is on display at Midway Village Museum—community members can vote to help reach 5,000 votes by December for a chance to see the design in stores.

This project honors Rockford’s unique heritage.

Turning Point USA Rockford chapters and local sponsors will host a one-year remembrance for Charlie Kirk on Sept.

13 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Rockford (7281 Olde Creek Road), inviting students, families and supporters to honor his legacy.

Administrators at Pecatonica Community Unit School District 321 earned an average of $101,125 in 2025, ranking 216th lowest in the state according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Their salary was 18.2% below the state average.

Illinois is awarding $15M in teacher vacancy grants to 100 districts including Rockford Public Schools today to help recruit and retain educators amid shortages + the program has cut vacancies by 28% since 2023.

In December 2024, ZIP Code 61108 had 6,815 Social Security beneficiaries, including 5,115 retired workers, representing a +1.3% increase from December 2023.

Officials used controlled rounding on official data to report these numbers.

Free kidney screenings take place in Freeport on Tuesday, Sept.

15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Family YMCA and in Rockford on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, with tests for kidney disease and high blood pressure + free produce from Blue Cross Blue Shield.