Local

Staff Report ROCKFORD – SwedishAmerican Blood Bank Supervisor Judy Coe was presented last week with the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR officials visited SwedishAmerican to recognize her…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- The Rockford Fire Department Fire Maintenance Facility is now recognized as a Certified Fleet Management Operation by the Government Fleet Management Alliance (GFMA). The Rockford Fire Department Fire…

By The Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — The FBI says DNA testing ruled out the teenager as being Timmothy Pitzen, missing from Aurora, Illinois, in 2011. Police say the story of teenager found wandering streets in Newport, Kentucky,…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- SwedishAmerican held a toy drive in March to benefit Rock House Kids, a local not-for-profit organization that helps children in need by offering them a safe, warm and nurturing environment. The toy drive was…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- SwedishAmerican kicked off National Donate Life Month Monday by holding a moment of silence and flag-raising ceremony outside the Heart Hospital to recognize organ donation and honor families of donors. The…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD — Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana, on Friday, filed a lawsuit against the county board alleging that it passed an illegal 2018 budget. The suit comes after the board voted Thursday to change the…

By The Associated Press FREEPORT, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois State Police trooper was killed Thursday when she was struck by a truck during a traffic stop, the second trooper to die that way this year. Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- A Rising rivers and runoff from melting snow create serious flooding issues for northern Illinois residents; the Better Business Bureau advises consumers to take steps to be prepared to handle dangerous…

The Associated Press FREEPORT (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has toured flooded northern Illinois neighborhoods and asked the state's emergency operations center to expedite help to affected areas. The National Weather Service says the…

ROCKFORD -- Two recent Rockford-area crimes have again shone light on domestic violence and the push for the city to have a place for survivors to get services to put their lives back together. One of those incidents was the fatal…

Staff Report SPRINGFIELD -- Cities and counties would have a streamlined process to address vacant homes under two new measures sponsored by state Sen.Steve Stadelman. D-Rockford. Senate bills 2052 and 2097 implement recommendations…

By Sarah Jesmer WNIJ News ROCKFORD -- Lily Chavez's parents moved from Mexico to Winnebago County before she was born. Chavez shared the story of her family's immigration at a recent panel in Rockford hosted by Engaging Lent. The forum…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- The Irish Marching Society's annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16, downtown. Traffic will be impacted during the event. The parade will begin at Seventh Street and Fourth…

Staff Report ROCKFORD -- The City of Rockford, along with Rockford Park District and Winnebago County, will host an Internship and Summer Job Fair on Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St.…

The Associated Press WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners have gathered to remember a sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed while trying to serve an arrest warrant at a hotel. The main gym at Woodstock North High School was…