Local

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Rockford Fire Department s changing the way it responds to certain medical calls. Those experiencing a medical emergency may still dial 911. However, depending on symptoms, 911 dispatchers may instruct…

Staff Report ROCKFORD –  Starting Wednesday, March 25, SwedishAmerican will begin collecting donated items from the community. These donations will add to the inventory SwedishAmerican has already built up as part of its preparedness…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Mayor Tom McNamara, in his role as City of Rockford liquor commissioner, is temporarily allowing all bars and restaurants to sell packaged beer and wine during the COVID-19 shutdown. Beer and wine will be…

UPDATE: As of late Wednesday, March 18, the GOP primary race for Winnebago County state's attorney is tied. J. Hanley and David Gill both have 8,312 votes as mail-in ballots are being counted. By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD -…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - The parking lots at local bars and restaurants were eerily vacant Monday night, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all taverns to close and restaurants to suspend all dine-in services at 9 p.m., amid the…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Ald. Joe Chiarelli (R-14), has won the Republican primary for Winnebago County Board Chairman. Chiarelli registered 57% of the vote while board member Jim Webster (R-2) won 43%. In terms of…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Al Grace Appliance, a retail staple in Rockford since the early 1960s, will close its doors this year. A final sale will begin in April, and all in-store appliances and mattresses will be liquidated. Lou…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A day after officials confirmed Winnebago County's first case of COVID-19, Board Chairman Frank Haney declared the situation a countywide emergency. Haney made it official Monday afternoon by…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Rockford Public Library, beginning Wednesday, March 18, will close its branches and offer remote-only services until the end of the month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Full services will continue…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - The first person on record in Winnebago County to contract COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is recovering at home, officials said Sunday. The patient is a man in his 60s who visited an…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Illinois Department of Public Health, on Monday, announced 29 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Illinois, including at least one in Winnebago County. Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland,…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Effective at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, the Rockford Art Museum will be temporarily closed until further notice, Executive Director Carrie Johnson announced. All events, classes and programs at RAM are…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Public School District 205 will be closed until Monday, March 30, because the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced Friday. "Administrators, principals and staff have been working on plans…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, on Friday, urged the citizens of Rockford to remain calm amid the coronavirus pandemic. "There is no need for any Rockfordian to panic," McNamara posted on Facebook an…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The COVID-19 outbreak means opportunity to scam artists, cyber crooks and other thieves, according to the local office of the Better Business Bureau. Officials say scams have ramped-up nearly as quickly as the…