Staff Report BELVIDERE, Ill. - The Belvidere Assembly Plant will re-open June 1, a FCA Group spokesman said Wednesday, May 6. "This plan has been developed following continuous discussions with the unions – the UAW, Unifor and Section…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - –Customers of Rockford Public Library can now pick-up physical items they have placed on hold. By appointment, customers can reserve items through RPL’s website, rockfordpubliclibrary.org, or by phone. If the…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The 2020 RAMI Awards will be canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The uncertainty surrounding when social distancing requirements will no longer remain in place has made scheduling a new date…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Rockford Public School District 205 has announced its plans for prom, graduation and end-of-the-year activities. Graduation ceremonies will not be attended by friends and family, but will be started on the…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Kelley Williamson Company has donated more than $200,000 to  Rockford areas nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Kelley’s Markets across northern Illinois and southern…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter MACHESNEY PARK - Rock Cut State Park has made the list of states parks that opened Friday, May 1. Officials have confirmed that the park is now open for fishing, hiking, biking and boating with no more than…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - Winnebago County is considered a COVID-19 hotspot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday. "Rockford is a hotspot in the state," Pritzker said. "Winnebago County has quite a number of infections." As of…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Lena, Illinois, church filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, seeking relief from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide stay-at-home order. Pastor Stephen Cassell filed the complaint in the Northern…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - While people may be thinking of growing vegetables this season, they might want to consider fruit trees as an addition to the backyard. “Fruit trees can be great for the backyard in Northern Illinois,"…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Rockford Public Library will launch "Virtual Lunch and Learn" this week, a six-part Webex series inspired by its live adult programs. The series begins at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, with “From Bootleggers…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Demolition of the former Magna grocery store, 3915 E. State St., will begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 30, the city announced Wednesday. The building has been vacant for more than 20 years. The city recently…

By Jim Hagerty Report ROCKFORD - State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, on Wednesday, officially filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, challenging the governor's stay-at-home edict meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Illinois Rep. John Cabello says he will file a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order. Cabello's suit will be the second in the state filed by a…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Thanks for a partnership between the City of Rockford and Gorman & Company, Founders Landing, in the center of Davis Park, will get makeover. With the city-owned Rockford Conference Center and Gorman &…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - A Rockford nursing home is first on a list of 40 facilities that will be picketed by a health care union May 8. Representatives from SEIU Healthcare Illinois say they will strike at Alden Debes Manor, 550. S.…