Daily
Rockford
Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 24th of September.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Chicago Rockford International Airport will launch a new American Airlines Landline bus service next month that takes travelers through TSA security in Rockford to reach O’Hare—offering a more convenient trip with lower parking costs. Executive director Zack Oakley said the service will help families and passengers with special needs travel easier. WTVO
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Visitor spending in Rockford and Winnebago County grew by 1.5% to $523.4 million between 2023 and 2024, the Illinois Tourism Impact Report shows. Local leaders are building on that growth by hosting events like IRONMAN 70.3 and planning for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic—efforts expected to boost local jobs and income. WIFR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois State Board of Education will hold a listening session at 4 p.m. on October 23 at Rockford Public Schools 205 Administration Building where educators and community partners can share their thoughts on the state’s numeracy plan — a plan that aims to boost student math success. More sessions are planned in other parts of the state. WIFR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Rockford’s Winnebago County Circuit Clerk’s Office launched a mobile app yesterday that lets residents search court cases, pay online, access court forms, and find Zoom links for sessions. The app was developed with TheGovApp.com to simplify court interactions. WTVO
- ➤ Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order requiring state agencies to cut spending and reserve 4% of their budgets within 30 days in response to slower revenue growth from federal tariff policies & rising costs. The order may pause up to $2.2 billion in approved spending as Illinois reports job losses and economic challenges. WIFR
- ➤ The Illinois Tollway announced a construction project on I-90 overpasses that will close Harlem Road Bridge starting tomorrow and Rote Road Bridge on Friday because the bridges are too narrow for repairs—drivers will be directed to I-73 and Spring Creek. Traffic on Rockton Road Bridge will also shift in both directions starting today—further adjustments are planned for October. WTVO
- ➤ Bridge repairs on I-90 in Winnebago County begin today and will continue into November, with shifts planned for the Rockton Road Bridge and temporary lane closures on I-90. Harlem and Rote Road bridges will close fully on Sept. 26—detours are in place until October. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Rockford committee members delayed plans to demolish the historic Elk’s Club building after a unanimous vote led by 3rd Ward Alderman Chad Tuneberg—despite a 2021 judge’s order for demolition due to safety concerns. The committee also approved plans for a new McDonald’s to replace a vacant dialysis center on the west side, with the proposal set to go to city council next week for a full vote. WTVO
- ➤ State Rep. Dave Vella and House Speaker Welch met with community members at Fresco at the Gardens in Rockford Tuesday — residents raised concerns about high energy costs and affordability — and Welch said he would bring these issues to Springfield during the upcoming veto session. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A hospital project in Roscoe was delayed after FHN Hospital withdrew Tuesday from its partnership with Beloit Health System to build a 10-bed facility and emergency room—Beloit will now pursue the project alone while patients near NorthPointe continue to rely on ambulances to Rockford or Beloit. WTVO
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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