Good morning, Rockford.

Rockford and the Rockford Family Peace Center hosted the sixth annual Race to End Domestic Violence on Sunday at Sugar River Raceway — participants raced 40 mph go-karts to raise funds for victim services, though rain limited turnout and organizers hope for better weather next year.

Region 1 Planning Council is launching Walktober, a challenge for Rockford residents to swap car trips for walking, biking or transit from Oct.

5-9—participants can log miles or share commuting selfies for a chance to win IceHogs tickets, gift baskets or coffee gift cards.

Community members are invited to nominate outstanding individuals or organizations for the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards by Oct.

1, with winners set to be celebrated at an awards ceremony on Dec. 10 in the Rockford area.

PCI Pharma Services will open three new facilities tomorrow in Rockford to mark a public event from 1 to 4 p.m. near Linden and Alpine roads, creating 650 new jobs to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

On Sunday, community members gathered in the 11th ward for the Veterans Tribute Parade that also celebrated Fiestas Patrias and marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Coordinator Antonio Ramirez Jr. said the event went ahead despite bad weather to honor veterans and Tuffy Quinonez’s legacy.

Data from the Illinois State Board of Education shows that in the 2024-25 school year, 20.8% of Rockford East graduates attending Illinois community colleges enrolled in remedial courses, including 16.9% in math, while the school's four-year graduation rate was 73.4% two years earlier.

A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. today at City Hall as City Council votes on creating a Rockford Region Tourism Improvement District that requires hotel operators to add a 2% fee on room revenue to boost tourism and drive more visitors.

In August, the median sale price in Winnebago County dropped by $2,750 to $209,000 while 145 homes were sold—a 0.7% increase in total sales from last August.