Daily
Rockford
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 15th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Pastor Melvin Brown and his wife Shelia bought Mercyhealth’s former hospital for one dollar on August 4 and plan to transform the 708,749 square-foot building into the Unity in the Community Development Center to support the west side. They expect to close the sale by late October—pending state approval for the emergency department—and will host a public town hall at noon November 1 to gather community input. WIFR
- ➤ CheeseKake Ko—a family-run bakery in Ashton—offers over 200 cheesecake flavors including apple cider doughnut and pumpkin pie cheesecake that is a favorite this fall. The family handles all operations while customers can preorder cheesecakes online or by phone. WTVO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bourbon Street Lounge on Perryville Road permanently closed its kitchen Tuesday and will stop offering full dining services, plus the bar remains open through Sunday with a mobile bar available for events. WTVO
- ➤ Bourbon Street Lounge at 3870 N. Perryville Rd.—as announced by owner Dave Prochnicki—closed its kitchen on Oct. 14 and will shut its bar on Sunday as the business transitions to a mobile bar model. WIFR
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Dr. Scott Bonn, a renowned criminologist and best-selling author, will explain how serial killers develop their chilling habits at the Coronado Performing Arts Center on October 17. The 90-minute talk aims to clear up myths & reduce fear about these crimes. WIFR
- ➤ Hard Rock Casino Rockford announced comedian Marlon Wayans will perform on February 13th — singer Boy George and Culture Club will appear on March 8th early next year; tickets go on sale October 17th at 10 a.m. WTVO
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Stellantis announced it will invest over $600 million to reopen the idled Belvidere assembly plant to build Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass models with about 3,000 new jobs expected by 2027 — local leaders say the move will revive northern Illinois’ manufacturing base and boost the local economy. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Abbott Fund has donated $250K to the Northern Illinois Food Bank to help feed 2,000 children through its BackPack Program, which delivers weekend meals at 190 schools in nine counties. The donation will provide 225,000 meals this school year—addressing a reported 32% increase in regional food insecurity. Rockford Register Star
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Broadway And Beyond
7:30-9 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — $35-85 — Experience Broadway hits with star Ben Crawford in an unforgettable evening.
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An Evening with Miles & Kelly
7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Music Box — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of music, stories, and improvisation from Miles Nielsen & Kelly Steward.
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Herbie Hancock Performance
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Ticket prices vary — Experience jazz legend Herbie Hancock in an evening of musical mastery.
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Rockford Poké Fest
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront — $5 Adult Admission — Celebrate Pokémon with family-friendly activities and fun for all ages.
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Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Tribute
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Tickets required — Experience the powerful tribute to Led Zeppelin with Jason Bonham at the Rockford Casino.
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Halloween Night with Taboo Blah Blah
8-11 p.m. — The Music Box — Check website for tickets — Enjoy an evening of rhythmic sounds and heartfelt songwriting with local band Taboo Blah Blah.
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An Evening with Long-Shot
8-10:30 p.m. — The Music Box — Ticket information not provided — Enjoy an evening of music with Rockford's own twin brothers and their band Long-Shot.
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X Bar Bingo Night at Chewy’s
7-9 p.m. — Chewy’s Sports Bar & Grill — Bring your own markers — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo with prizes and delightful dinner specials.
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Ninja Kidz Live
6-7:30 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of the Ninja Kidz Live show in Rockford's historic theatre.
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2025 Annual Diwali Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Harlem High School — $15-$35 — Celebrate Diwali with dinner, dancing, performances, and cultural festivities.
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.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
In life, you need either inspiration or desperation.
~ Tony Robbins
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