Daily
Rockford
Saturday, November 15th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 15th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Winnebago County Animal Services is hosting a two-day cat adoption event called Fall for a Feline at 4517 N. Main St., offering adoptions with a wellness exam, spay/neuter + microchip services and reduced fees with kittens at $50 + adult cats at $10; the event began Friday, Nov. 14 and continues today. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford officials completed the 13th annual Rockford Tree Harvest Day on November 18, 2024, with crews from Tree Care Enterprises Inc.—Howe Freightways, Creative Crane and Stenstrom transporting and trimming a 40-foot tree for installation at Main & Elm in downtown Rockford. The tree lighting will take place on November 29 at 6:15 p.m. during the Stroll on State festival and remain lit throughout the holiday season. Go Rockford
- ➤ Tad More Tailoring and the SwedishAmerican Health Foundation are teaming up to turn scrap fabric into warm scarves and tie blankets for patients at the Carbone Cancer Center. The event will be held at 6116 Mulford Village Dr. on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. WIFR
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bergstrom, a global leader in thermal management solutions, has chosen Rockford for its U.S. headquarters—an expansion expected to protect and grow local jobs while supporting innovative products used in school buses, trucks, and battery energy storage systems. WIFR
- ➤ Little Caesars on 11th Street in south Rockford is now the nation's first to use a fully self-service model that replaces the walk-up counter with self-checkout stations, and the store will hold a grand opening today with free classic pizza for the first 100 guests at 10 a.m. Executives from Detroit are hosting the ribbon-cuting at noon—testing a rapid service system that may expand to other cities. Rock River Current
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Rockford woman Cindy Long competed as player 446 in Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge, filmed in January in London. Her team won a counting contest by 2 seconds (after over 100,000 applications) but her next challenge ended early, and Long said the experience let her check a bucket list item (a night in the dorm). WTVO
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Illinois employers reported 1,600 job losses in October according to state WARN filings—Baker & Taylor lost 318 jobs, Panduit lost 185, and Virgin Hotels Chicago lost 180—while companies nationwide cut 153,074 jobs amid a tough labor market. WTVO
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Out of 17,977 students taking the IAR in the 2023‑24 school year, 31% of Winnebago County students passed the ELA portion (a 16.2% rise over last year per the Illinois State Board of Education). Rockford Sun
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ After three fires damaged buildings last month, the Rockford Housing Authority said demolition on the abandoned Fairgrounds Housing Development will begin next week. Demolition equipment will arrive on the weekend and full demolition will start Monday, November 17 — after gas-line disconnections were completed on Friday. WTVO
- ➤ The mayor of South Beloit said the city will restart its local fire department with a new chief after ending its agreement with Beloit for fire and emergency services. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association is reviewing candidates and council may choose a new chief on December 1—South Beloit has the equipment but still needs more firefighters. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A mental health event for athletes, Beyond the Scoreboard, will take place tomorrow at Embassy Suites in Rockford—keynote speaker Ben Zobrist and panelist Brian Anderson are set to speak. Panelist Jessica Steinberg from the Rockford Park District will share how equine-assisted learning helps ease stress while doctors and psychologists offer scientific insights—aiming to give athletes the support they need. WTVO
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An Evening with Nathan Graham & Noah Guthrie
7-10:30 p.m. — The Music Box — $20.11 — Experience soulful melodies blending South Side Blues with Nashville Americana.
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An Evening with The Cold Stares
7:30-10:00 p.m. — The Music Box — Starting at $15.08 — Experience the fierce, blistering live show of The Cold Stares, a duo with nearly a decade of world touring.
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Babyface Concert
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Tickets available — Experience a night of soulful music with the legendary Babyface.
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2025 NorthPointe Wellness Turkey Trot
2:30-4:00 p.m. — 5605 E Rockton Rd, Roscoe, IL — Registration fee may apply — Participate in a fun-filled annual Turkey Trot event promoting health and community spirit.
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Dasher Dash 5K Run/Walk
12 – 4 PM — Beattie Park — Entry fee applies — Celebrate the holiday season with a festive run in downtown Rockford.
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An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katharine McPhee
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Ticket information unavailable — Enjoy a night of musical brilliance with renowned composer David Foster and soprano Katharine McPhee.
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The Nutcracker by Rockford Dance Company
6-7:30 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — $35-67 — Experience the magic of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince in this beloved holiday ballet featuring local talent.
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Riverview Inn & Suites Winter Wonderland
11 AM - 5 PM — Riverview Inn & Suites — $10/person at the door — Experience holiday cheer with Santa photos, crafts, and live music.
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NLI’s Holiday Open House
4-7 p.m. — Natural Land Institute — Free entry — Celebrate the holidays with cider, snacks, and mingling at NLI's festive headquarters.
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2025 Excalibur & Excelsior Awards Celebration
6-8 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Free entry — Celebrate community service excellence at the Annual Excalibur & Excelsior Award Ceremony.
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