The City Council adopted a resolution accepting a $3,000,000 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant to help pay for the acquisition and renovation of the new Family Peace Center location at 214 North Church Street.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 12, 2026

Council approves West State liquor and tobacco sales

Rockford City Council adopted ordinances allowing packaged liquor and tobacco sales at 2914 West State Street for Way Low Citgo, along with a committee recommendation tied to the same location.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 21, 2026

Council approves major projects and funding

The City Council approved a $23.49 million contract for Well No. 46 Water Treatment Facility work, along with more than a dozen other bids, bridge agreements, vehicle purchases, and neighborhood-event permits. It also adopted an emergency rental assistance agreement with Rockford Township for $25,000 and a lien release tied to two trustee properties.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 7, 2026

City Council approves major projects

The council approved a $9.7 million contract for 11th Street Corridor Improvements Phase 2, along with funding for road, sewer, housing, and public safety-related work, and adopted the 2040 Future Land Use Map with one parcel change to residential-medium density.

4 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 17, 2026

City Council approves major contracts

Rockford City Council approved a long list of spending items, including a $1.58 million police vehicle purchase, a $2.5 million water system design and inspection contract, and nearly $1.0 million in pavement and bridge preservation work.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 18, 2026

City Council approves key contracts

Rockford City Council approved several major contracts and development items, but rejected a $200,000 incentive for a proposed McDonald's on West State Street after the reconsideration vote failed 7-6, which meant the spending request was denied because eight affirmative votes were required.

4 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 10, 2026

Council approves campus subdivision plat

The City Council adopted a final plat for the Mercy Health Rockton Campus Subdivision, allowing nine parcels to be combined and split into two lots so the former Rockford Memorial Hospital building can be sold.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 3, 2026

Council approves major spending and zoning items

City Council approved over $11.7 million for Auburn Street improvements, $721,475 for downtown streetscape work, and several zoning and liquor-related permits. It also adopted a senior center funding agreement, new finance policies, and a city agreement for sanitary utility work tied to the Davis Park project.

4 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 21, 2026

City Council approves funding, housing, and development items

City Council approved a mix of spending, housing, development, and public-safety actions, including a $2 million downtown grant, a $549,000 home repair grant extension, $140,000 for the Forward for Fun initiative, and a $32,000 legal settlement.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 13, 2026

Development deal and board appointments approved

City Council approved a $250,000 development agreement with Rockford Brake Manufacturing for 302 Peoples Avenue, funded by 2025 and 2026 Casino Economic Development Funds. Council also approved a long list of board appointments and reappointments, including Civilian Oversight Board, Community Action Agency, Human Resources Appeals Board, Library Board, Mechanical Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals and Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board seats.

2 min readMunicipal coverage