The following represents, in general, the chronological order of proceedings at the City Council/Committee Meetings: Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Public Speaking and City Council/Committee Agendas.
Meeting will be live streamed on Channel 17 and via this link:
https://rockfordil.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Items appearing on the City Council Standing Committee Agendas for today's date may receive a vote at committee and come before the City Council meeting tonight held after the committee meeting. Final vote may be taken on said items at the City Council meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
PROCLAMATIONS
Poet Laureate Presentation
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Planning and Development Committee
Code and Regulation Committee
Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the approval of the Final Plat of District 815 Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the approval of the Final Plat of Dulgar Subdivision. Referred Code and Regulation Committee.
Zoning Board of Appeals’ Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 26, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 26, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
Finance and Personnel Committee
Memorandum from Carrie Hagerty, Finance Director, regarding the consideration and approval of Finance Policies. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for Davis Park. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding the proposed Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Regional Site Readiness Grant Application Authorization and Award Acceptance. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS
Denzil Wynter spoke about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all African American female unit in the U.S. Army that served overseas during World War II. He shared the history of the unit and highlighted the significant role African Americans have played in defending this country.
Prophet Yusef recited a passage of scripture and gave honor to the outstanding African Americans heroes serving with the Chicago Fire Department, specifically those on Trucks 19 and 21.
Ken Dickens voiced his concerns regarding the lack of urgency surrounding the future of Rockford, Illinois. He also shared his ideas of how to address the food insecurity in the region.
John Tac Brantley shared Renewed Turning Point’s mission statement and vision for building a positive future for children in the City of Rockford, Illinois.
NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning and Development Committee
Committee recommends approval of the 2026 - 2028 Funding Agreement between the City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) in the amount of $60,000 annually. The funding source is Garbage User Fees.
Committee recommends approval of the proposed Amendment to the Development Agreement with First Midwest Group (Machesney Investment LLC) and McDonald's for the establishment of a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street in the amount of $200,000. The funding source is 2025 Casino Plan Funds / Economic Development High Risk Area. (LAID OVER JANUARY 20, 2026)
Committee recommends approval of the proposed Supplemental Marketing Services Agreement between the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (GoRockford) and City of Rockford for $100,000 annually for two years (2026 and 2027). The funding source is 2026 and 2027 Casino Foundation Funds.
Code and Regulation Committee
Committee recommends approval of the sale of the vacant city-owned property located at 5798 Logistics Parkway to 5728 Logistics Parkway LLC, the neighboring property owner, for the amount of $124,000 plus costs.
Committee recommends approval of the Plat No. 6 of Green Estates.
Committee recommends approval of Plat No. 2 of Ardmore Subdivision
Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for an off-premise business sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2102 McFarland Road (First Perryville Development Corporation/Applicant). Subject to conditions.
Finance and Personnel Committee
Committee recommends approval of the vouchers in the amount of $8,285,662.57 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on January 12, 2026.
Committee recommends approval of an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Awaken Foundation L3C to provide on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities within the City’s Weatherization Program. There is no fiscal impact to the City. Participant wages are paid entirely by Awaken Foundation using Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (ICEJA) Grant funds. The agreement is from February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER
Planning and Development Committee
Committee recommends approval of the proposed Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Tower Lofts, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 99 East State Street as News Tower Lofts (former Rockford Register Star) for mixed-use residential / commercial development. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. (LAID OVER JANUARY 5, 2026)
Committee recommends approval of the proposed Amendment to the Development Agreement with Oliver Emerson Development (Oliver Emerson Development, LLC) for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 325 South Madison Street (The Watch Factory) as residential. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. (LAID OVER JANUARY 5, 2026)
Code and Regulation Committee
Finance and Personnel Committee
OFFICERS REPORTS
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Planning and Development Committee
Code and Regulation Committee
2026 Forward for Fun Initiative
Resolution for settlement of Isaac Cornelius Fricks, Sr. vs. Officer Brian Prine, Case No: 22-CV-50410 in the amount of $32,000. (SUSPEND RULE 9)
Finance and Personnel Committee
Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair (HAFHR) Grant extension in the additional amount of $549,000 (the new total is $3,009,000).
Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Rebuild Downtowns and Main Streets Grant Award in the amount of $2,000,000. The grant requires a 25% cost match which will be paid for using the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. The grant term is from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. If accepted, the grant funds will be used to reimburse construction costs of the Madison Street Corridor Improvements Project (Phase 2).
Committee recommends approval of the Award of Professional Services for Family Peace Center Architectural Services for Renovation of 214 North Church Street to Larson & Darby Group, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $525,805.36. The contract duration is through December 31, 2026. The funding source is the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Accelerator Grant.
NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES
Planning and Development Committee
An ordinance approving the 2026 - 2028 Funding Agreement between the City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) in the amount of $60,000 annually. The funding source is Garbage User Fees.
An ordinance approving the Supplemental Marketing Services Agreement between the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (GoRockford) and City of Rockford for $100,000 annually for two years (2026 and 2027). The funding source is 2026 and 2027 Casino Foundation Funds.
An ordinance approving the Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Tower Lofts, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 99 East State Street as News Tower Lofts (former Rockford Register Star) for mixed-use residential / commercial development. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds.
An ordinance approving the Amendment to the Development Agreement with Oliver Emerson Development (Oliver Emerson Development, LLC) for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 325 South Madison Street (The Watch Factory) as residential. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds.
Code and Regulation Committee
An ordinance approving the sale of the vacant city-owned property located at 5798 Logistics Parkway to 5728 Logistics Parkway LLC, the neighboring property owner, for the amount of $124,000, plus costs.
An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for an off-premise business sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2102 McFarland Road (First Perryville Development Corporation/Applicant).
Finance and Personnel Committee
An ordinance approving an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Awaken Foundation L3C to provide on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities within the City’s Weatherization Program. There is no fiscal impact to the City. Participant wages are paid entirely by Awaken Foundation using Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (ICEJA) Grant funds. The agreement is from February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
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CLOSED SESSION
Motion to Convene into Closed Session in Order to Discuss Pending Litigation Matters
ADJOURNMENT
THE CITY OF ROCKFORD INTENDS TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, PERSONAL P.A. SYSTEM, OR OTHER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED, PLEASE CALL THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AT (779) 348-7391 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN BE PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU.
Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
The invocation was given by Chaplain Kenneth Hendley and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
Alderman Frost arrived at 5:42 p.m. and Alderman Logemann arrived at 5:48 p.m.
Mayor McNamara announced the passing of NAACP President George Scott. He spoke about President Scott's many accomplishments and extended his heartfelt condolences to his family and the NAACP community.
Mayor McNamara conducted a Moment of Silence for the individuals that have lost loved ones this past week.
Alderman Salgado announced on February 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. the Mid-Town District will hold a meeting with Region 1 to discuss details of the Livable Community Initiative. He indicated the meeting will take place at The Collective located at 309 7th Street and he encouraged residents to attend.
Alderman Meeks announced that a city-wide Town Hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockford Country Club. She shared that Carla Redd, Chief of the Rockford Police Department, and Jennifer Cacciapaglia, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, will be presenting information during the meeting.
Alderman Prunty extended her condolences to the Scott family and the additional families that have recently lost loved ones.
Alderman Prunty announced the Six Ward meeting will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fire Station 7 located at 2323 Sawyer Road. She shared Fire Chief Rebecca Tyo and Illinois State Representative Maurice West will be presenting information at the meeting.
Alderman Tuneberg reminded the Churchills Grove residents the neighborhood meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
Alderman Bell mentioned he was hosting a Coffee & Conversations event at Mr. C's Family Restaurant on West State Street on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Alderman Bonne thanked Calvin Wesley and Youth Build for the opportunity to speak to the students regarding politics and journalism. He shared that the conversations were meaningful and the students were highly engaged.
Alderman Hoffman thanked Francisca French and Jeremy Carter for their participation in the recent Eighth Ward meeting. She mentioned both staff members did an excellent job of presenting information to the residents.
Alderman Durkee expressed his appreciation to the Public Works staff who worked through the night in extreme cold conditions to repair a water main break in the First Ward.
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