[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6098127,"mediaKeyId","2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a","parentId",2824905,"title","Rockford public speakers clash over 'All Are Welcome' sign as council amends welcome-sign resolution","audioSeconds",1449,"startMs",2175000,"endMs",3624000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a&start=2175&end=3624","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a/thumbnail_2175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098127/Rockford/Winnebago-County/Illinois/Rockford-public-speakers-clash-over-All-Are-Welcome-sign-as-council-amends-welcome-sign-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098127-bfbe4e41ad31ceff7c9b32ea93ddf877/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195734&Signature=nnD0Na9w25r5ilnwkGVJWWAQDcd59s5nPvolaeKvFBnk6nTOF8cclFoG10IWttFHNLq~~KHLlwKIQPAqp9RhFCpiD1WvtjzHrRyaV1-7atbjwlSrP94EYyC2Ln-5I8y2AWt4P~dRCamAagTmyKSislSQ~qJIu5msxuSy9HwWsbE6TEfOB-QhJ5qhic2aOfovsz7LV11prezZ-d6kQUcVggsabqY~xUjV9OGMee6DKnVVgPmh0qkOUwuxCDikrc2u2PDlBHejy22shxUwQFOOqXTt9RavTc-e6lUDiLZdzd6i~80tsHUcbDY80itLcvUNm1R3Zb-LCI4~Ax9mnOmH0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Rockford, IL","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","Rockford, Ill. — Dozens of residents used the city council public-comment period on March 12 to press elected officials about a highly visible welcome sign campaign that has drawn conflicting interpretations from community members.

The debate opened with public speaker John Tack Brantley, who criticized the city’s response during Black History Month and framed his remarks around racial inequities in civic engagement. “There’s a double standard when it comes to African Americans,” Brantley said, urging the council to address policing and community relationships.

Kevin Rylot, identified as a public speaker, urged the council to interpret “all are welcome” inclusively. “Every person in this room is a person created in the image and likeness of God,” Rylot said, and added that “all means all,” including immigrants and people in the womb.

Other speakers tied the sign to local politics. Public speaker Elaysan Kehoe questioned the origin and intent of wording on the sign and asked the council to investigate who authorized the language and whether proper processes were followed. Dave Pedersen, owner of May’s Books, said comments linking immigrants to crime were “wrong” and urged council members to reject bigotry.

At the legislative session, Alderman Bonney moved to amend a resolution supporting a City of Rockford welcome sign at the I-90 Gateway entrance at East State Street to require council approval for all future entrance greetings. The council adopted that amendment and then approved the amended resolution by roll call vote (11 ayes), affirming support for the specific I-90 welcome sign while adding the new requirement for future signage content to come before council.

Alderman Chad Thunberg, speaking during debate, said the issue was about crime and local residents rather than immigration. “Crime still is amongst most Third Ward residents the number‑one issue to tackle within our city,” Thunberg said.

Why it matters: The conversation highlights a tense local debate over public messaging, immigration, and public safety. The council’s amendment creates a formal review step for future entrance signage, a procedural change intended to give elected members direct oversight of the wording used on city gateway signs.

The council did not take other formal actions tied to individual public commenters during the March 12 meeting; the welcome-sign resolution amendment and passage were the only formal votes directly addressing the signage topic.

Looking ahead: The council’s added requirement means any future welcome messages placed at city entrances will return to the council for review and approval before installation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 3/3/2025 5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents used the city council public-comment period on March 12 to press elected officials about a highly visible welcome sign campaign; council approved a resolution supporting an I‑90 welcome sign but amended it to require council approval for future entrance greetings.","taxTitle","Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois","taxId",2847,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098113,"Votes at a glance: Key Rockford City Council actions, March 12, 2025",1526,1545000,3071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a&start=1545&end=3071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a/thumbnail_1545000.jpg","/articles/6098113/Rockford/Winnebago-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-Rockford-City-Council-actions-March-12-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098113-be498b6226f362071b0d76f149e3db58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195734&Signature=fYhuIfJIGG4RudBbgyMj3HawGYJTu3LgSYaliEHWp5dc7C2KqfGdqgCdgHan024JkLq3qacOIoStp5PSpzVOjQwwYM9b0w3gDBJR3xi4R88jHIl70qzqELsM8AB7WE6Th5gaTmfZrWAM-QDc5yTDbmBc66aLMtwJ3UA9jBPQfEIYjdVAl8B3fi6z7EoOTrsT-Lrq~QzMjsP7CGB5-4P8NZNffO2UVpLg-rzip8EycjhFNYY4jUAXnwScb6tbm5y2EZYPGDPeloKIUKG92T8k1-37NPgnMRfbT2gHce9oI-CKQ7M8wjYpB13nkGJk-x0K5ORuq8uUXWc47TgDxiyoYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockford, Ill. — Below are the principal formal actions taken by the Rockford City Council at its March 12, 2025 meeting. Items are listed by subject with the recorded vote tally and brief notes on next steps.

1) Approve journal and proceedings for the Feb. 3, 2025 meeting — Outcome: approved (voice vote recorded as unanimous). Notes: Routine approval of minutes.

2) Proclamation: Declare March 9–15, 2025 Girl Scout Week — Outcome: proclaimed (by Mayor Thomas P. McNamara). Notes: Ceremonial proclamation; Girl Scouts present.

3) Workforce development agreement with LT Construction — Motion: Approve ordinance authorizing agreement not to exceed $675,000 (ARPA revenue replacement). Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes. Next steps: Legal director to prepare ordinance and contract.

4) Preliminary conditional HOME commitment for Creekside Apartments — Motion: Reverse committee denial and approve $500,000 conditional commitment (HOME). Outcome: approved; tally: 10 ayes, 1 no. Next steps: Legal director to prepare development agreement; compliance with HOME rules required before disbursal.

5) Vouchers (finance) — Motion: Approve vouchers in the amount of $7,041,217.97. Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes. Notes: Standard payment approval.

6) Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) — 3‑year property tax rebate program for newly built residential construction (single family, townhome, 2‑family, 3‑family, multifamily) in School District 205 — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes. Notes: Program continuation; staff reported 71 single‑family and a total of 31 residential units previously used the program (transcript provided counts that combine units/structures).

7) Annexation ordinance — 1955 South Mulford Road — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

8) Zoning map amendment — from C‑3 to I‑1 at properties on South Alpine Road — Outcome: sustained (approved); tally: 11 ayes.

9) Special use and variations — 1515 Kishwaukee Street: passenger vehicle sales, vehicle detailing, and landscaping variations — Outcome: sustained (approved); tally: 11 ayes.

10) Liquor sales by the drink in conjunction with restaurants — 1620 North Bell School Road (C‑1) and 6690 East State Street (C‑2, outdoor seating) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes for both items.

11) Authorization to place for sale city‑owned property — 5798 District Parkway (industrial parcel) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

12) Demolition contracts — Approve low bids: northern Illinois service for demolition of 422 Kishwaukee and 431 15th Ave ($26,384); Amtrak for demolition of 3600 West State Street ($144,000) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes. Funding sources cited (CDBG and ARPA respectively).

13) Lead service line replacement program Phase 7 — Award to NTRAC, amount not to exceed $4,000,000 (unit pricing; 1‑year contract); funding: IEPA State Revolving Loan Fund — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

14) Engineering agreements — East State Street sidewalk gaps engineering ($56,875) and Harrison Avenue reconstruction engineering (not to exceed $696,700) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

15) Joint purchasing contract — Police vehicles (award laid over) — Outcome: laid over (item 6 in committee was laid over for follow-up questions). Notes: Council moved to lay over the police vehicle award pending additional information.

16) Head Start bus transportation services — Extension with First Student, amount not to exceed $795,440.44 for final extension (through 06/30/2025), funded by Head Start grant — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

17) Resolution waiving building permit review, inspection and water connection fees for new residential construction citywide — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

18) Appropriation of Rebuild Illinois funds for Harrison Avenue reconstruction phase 2 engineering (not to exceed $700,000) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

19) IDOT Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program grant acceptance — $142,435, no match required (FY2026) — Outcome: approved; tally: 11 ayes.

Notes on voting: Most roll-call votes recorded 11 ayes; several contested items (notably the Creekside HOME conditional commitment) recorded a dissenting vote. Where the transcript recorded a roll-call for specific items, the tallies above reflect the reported counts in the meeting.

","A roundup of the council's formal actions on March 12, including contract awards, ordinances, grants, and appropriations. Includes vote tallies and next steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098117,"Council reverses committee denial and approves $500,000 HOME conditional commitment for Creekside Apartments",70,3185000,3255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a&start=3185&end=3255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a/thumbnail_3185000.jpg","/articles/6098117/Rockford/Winnebago-County/Illinois/Council-reverses-committee-denial-and-approves-500000-HOME-conditional-commitment-for-Creekside-Apartments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098117-b4d8704368e1811b426779f0d4c4f3ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195734&Signature=TxNqgOcuJq~OekxKrRoljnAdRh9L-c43JTIB1971rf3sSFtchY5Eh1HKTFaGLYu-4QtCwRWmay-zr4ieP1LLCd7-q6h3Er3g7bLlvMkP5EJyAtNdNtfvZusnca0DgZcQ1bNPguPfXhoA4sPeMecDzpl4L9M79kQRq8hi4am3O9y8H9VE4vhNW-tUpcTlj1PHwv8N7w66yyTlW9WXznEArPDBdImdseI--V3XAM8JBvCPgun7lVaIXXktkriquCR3oq0JBB8LxdLueCHzEubaNpl08b63ixbB1ubm8ci2v3yo~GLnXt5UT243992uydIs8hHynMg5bXieYxKFC~XCJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockford, Ill. — The Rockford City Council on March 12 voted to reverse a committee denial and approve a preliminary conditional set‑aside letter that would lead to a Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) conditional commitment of $500,000 for Creekside Apartments.

The planning and development committee had recommended denial of the preliminary conditional set‑aside letter. Alderwoman Metrano moved to reverse that denial; the motion carried after initial roll-call confusion and a clarified tally. Director Lay stated the conditional commitment amount: “It’s a $500,000 conditional commitment.”

Alderman Durkee opposed using HOME funds on the proposed new project and said the funding would be better used to preserve or rehabilitate existing housing stock. “Home funds can be used for a variety of ways,” Durkee said, and he expressed a preference for concentrating resources on existing properties. Supporters argued the conditional commitment would advance affordable rental housing development. The final vote on the item in new business was 10 ayes, 1 no; the legal director will prepare the appropriate documents.

Why it matters: The HOME program is a federally funded housing program that can be used for new construction or rehabilitation. The council’s approval of a conditional commitment for Creekside Apartments commits HOME funds (subject to program conditions and execution of a development agreement) and reflects local policy choices about how to allocate scarce housing dollars.

Next steps: Legal staff will prepare the development agreement; the commitment is conditional and requires further documentation and compliance with HOME program rules.

","After committee denial, the council voted to reverse and approve a $500,000 conditional HOME commitment for Creekside Apartments; debate centered on whether HOME funds should be directed to new construction or preservation of existing housing stock.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098122,"Council approves $675,000 ARPA workforce agreement with LT Construction",140,2762000,2902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a&start=2762&end=2902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824905-6e13de54fb0e8e502ae18a5ad516ae4a/thumbnail_2762000.jpg","/articles/6098122/Rockford/Winnebago-County/Illinois/Council-approves-675000-ARPA-workforce-agreement-with-LT-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098122-edf8b8f19259b129380831be018191c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195734&Signature=KYxhFoWzdSHHUQ8MNvw1wBYYDe5QdjV-Ndq4nn6ROIqpEALalkAr4Jsr-koqwm6og4V5hfLw8dhS~7dAR9ZJJthrM4CeEhC3Cm4S2XbZRl7A7MS65hiGgSydgJps6rtH~B5YlL5f-hX150TEMFV5p2uA5SRlJcvoL87T75lhosspdAEIqpCtLhMPzMs4CCZIAO1KbE-xwLDVSDJQBvvHZo8E6vUUhtR9KbXZQHpeS0itaPiCt2yV5417-PjUI61OUHlFb1BN21DrLKPV9t7VIUaV2JnFuykC6F7CnLW9psGSA6W7MqEtdSG1n6zIn1qSsnOejRNj7~jEgYwwP9kADg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockford, Ill. — The city council on March 12 approved an ordinance authorizing a workforce development agreement with LT Construction for a not‑to‑exceed amount of $675,000, with funding designated as revenue replacement from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Alderman Toni Wilkins presented the committee recommendation; Director Hankins provided performance statistics in response to aldermanic questions, saying the program has moved nearly all participants into trades positions. “I believe it is all but one. I think, this is the fourth year, so 14 out of 15,” Director Hankins said when asked how many participants have entered trades positions. The director also said the city tracks participants’ employment and named a past participant, Sylvester, who is expected to become a journeyman in July and start at $49 an hour.

Council members asked about gender diversity; Hankins said three women had participated over the program’s three years. Alderman Wilkins and others noted the program is supported with ARPA funds and described it as workforce development to place local residents into skilled trades.

The ordinance was approved by roll call (11 ayes). The legal director was instructed to prepare the appropriate ordinance language consistent with the committee recommendation.

Why it matters: The agreement uses ARPA funds for job training and placement aimed at local workforce development in construction trades. Council discussion focused on placement rates, participant tracking, and the program’s role in moving residents into journeyman and other trade roles.

Next steps: The legal director will prepare the ordinance for signature and contract execution; city staff will continue tracking participant outcomes as reported in the meeting.

","The Rockford City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a workforce development agreement with LT Construction not to exceed $675,000, funded with ARPA revenue replacement; council members discussed program outcomes and tracking of graduates into trades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockford public speakers clash over 'All Are Welcome' sign as council amends welcome-sign resolution

Votes at a glance: Key Rockford City Council actions, March 12, 2025

Council reverses committee denial and approves $500,000 HOME conditional commitment for Creekside Apartments

Council approves $675,000 ARPA workforce agreement with LT Construction