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WINNEBAGO WRAP-UP
SEPTEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER
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NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
This time of year is always bittersweet as we wrap up summer, but I look forward to the changing of the leaves and the beauty that our county has to offer during the fall months! I am proud of all that we were able to achieve this summer, including some recent updates I'd like to share:
· To better position our county with enhanced representation in Springfield and Washington, D.C., the County Board approved hiring Federal and State Lobbyists in order to develop and promote our legislative agenda in Winnebago County. The Board approved the hire of The Ferguson Group and Mercury, respectively, to allow the County to better understand legislation within our state and nation to advocate on behalf of the County's best interests. In conjunction with this move, we also are utilizing the Ferguson Group for grant writing services to help maximize success in obtaining funding for our region. This will help us reach our goals of improving economic development, public facilities, infrastructure and public safety among other opportunities.
· We continue to make progress toward a state-of-the-art police training facility in Winnebago County, repurposing our former Public Safety Building in downtown Rockford. The County Board voted to hire Dewberry, a firm that will provide design options and cost estimates to relocate our training center from its current location at 720 Chestnut Street. That facility was recently sold to Rock Valley College for future academic offerings, and a portion of that sale will be used to fund the contract with the firm. The goal of the project is to improve police training regionally with a controlled, convenient location. This future center will not only benefit law enforcement, but also better serve the general public for years to come.
I hope everyone enjoys the final days of summer and I wish you all a wonderful start to this new autumn season!
Sincerely,
Joseph V. Chiarelli
Winnebago County Board Chairman
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"Uncle Joe Day" Proclamation | Chairman Chiarelli proclaimed August 24, 2023 as “Uncle Joe Montalbano Day” in Winnebago County! Joe Montalbano is a local hero with a friendly smile and incredible talent for barbering. Moreover, he is a Purple Heart recipient and served as a 65th Infantry staff sergeant during World War II. As Uncle Joe celebrates his 98th birthday, we were joined by Nick Parnello of Operation Fallen Flags to wish him a happy birthday and thank him for his service to our country and his community. We extend to him every good wish for success, health and continued happiness! Chairman is able to issue proclamations for recognition of groups, organizations, notable achievements and holidays or celebrations. To request a proclamation from the Winnebago County Board Office, please fill out the request form here. | |
Mural Dedication for Veterans | Winnebago County was proud to be able to celebrate the official dedication ceremony honoring the art installation recently completed at the Auburn & Main roundabout! The mural was painted by Denver, Colorado-based artist AJ Davis and paid for by sponsorship from Collins Aerospace, which makes two major systems for the F-35 fighter jet, and money Winnebago County Board member Angie Goral dedicated to the project from the federal American Rescue Plan. It is one of 44 murals the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has curated since 2019 through its CRE8IV: transformational art initiative. This mural not only serves to beautify the roundabout, but it also helps to foster an important identity for the Veterans Memorial Circle to remember the sacrifices made by our local veterans. | |
On August 15, 2023 Erik K. Jacobs was sworn in as a Circuit Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. We had the honor and privilege of having Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White administer the Oath of Office for Judge Jacobs, who is filling the vacancy left by recently retired Judge Joseph G. McGraw. Judge Jacobs has over 30 years of experience in private practice and has also served the community through his involvement with Homestead Board, Healing Pathways, Rockford Cosmopolitan Club and Habitat For Humanity. We look forward to Judge Jacobs serving the citizens of Winnebago and Boone Counties for years to come! | |
Celebrating Community Service | Chairman Chiarelli presented the Chairman’s Service Excellence Award to Fred Wescott in recognition of his 22 years of service to the Winnebago County Housing Authority! Since 2001, Fred oversaw more than $140 million in rehab and new construction programs across Winnebago, Stephenson and Boone Counties through NiReACH. Fred also served the community in many other ways, including his 14 years of service as a Winnebago County Board Member, fundraising over $40,000 for the Hospice Memorial Fund, and hand making thousands of wooden plaques in recognition of local veterans. This award recognizes his leadership, integrity and sustained commitment to excellence - Congrats, Fred! | |
Thank you to everyone that came out to support, be part of, or volunteer with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, Loves Park Police Department and Village of Machesney Park as we celebrated the 40th year of National Night Out at Harlem High School last month. It was a beautiful night to come together as a community. Families were able to meet with Sheriff Caruana and Chief Deputy Ciganek, get to know deputies from across the department, see the K-9 officers in action, and of course got to enjoy good food and even better company. We can't wait until next year! | |
As summer comes to an end, the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office celebrated its 711s and interns to recognize all they’ve done for the office over the past few months. They’ve helped out with trial prep, shadowed in all units and got tours of several of the government agencies we work with. We loved having them so much and are so appreciative of their hard work, we didn’t want to let them go. All were offered permanent positions by State's Attorney Hanley after they graduate from Law School! We wish them all best of luck in their final year of school and hope to see them soon. | | |
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Labor Day Parade & Picnic
Monday, September 4, 2023 | 320 S. Wyman St. - Rockford, IL
Join us in downtown Rockford for the annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 4!
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. with the route beginning at 7th St. & 6th Ave. in Rockford. The parade winds its way north to East State Street, west to Wyman Street and then south to the reviewing stand in front of the E. J. Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford. The cost to attend is FREE and the celebration continues with a picnic & car show in Davis Park until 3 p.m.
SEE MORE DETAILS
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Multicultural Fall Festival
Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 4225 Charles St. - Rockford, IL
As part of the "Forward for Fun" initiative, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. the City of Rockford's 8th Ward will be celebrating its community with a Multicultural Fall Festival in the parking lot of the 5 Points Shopping Center, located between Charles Street and Broadway at Parkside. There will be entertainment, food, music and additional activities for adults and kids alike! There is no charge for entrance and everyone is welcome to attend.
SEE MORE DETAILS
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Our People, Our City Parade & Festival
Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 1702 11th St. - Rockford, IL
The "Forward for Fun" continues with a parade and cultural event to celebrate Mexican Independence Day - Our People, Our City! The City of Rockford's 11th Ward will kick off the festivities with a parade beginning at noon, starting at Kishwaukee & Broadway, turning on 12th St. to the right, then to 16th Ave. finishing at Keye-Mallquist Park. Hosted by El Barrio Community Center, there will be live music, food, dancing, bouncy house for kids and plenty of activities for the whole family. The event is free admission and runs until 10 p.m.
SEE MORE DETAILS
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