🌱 Patch AM: What change is coming to Rockford’s Harrison Avenue Post Office name?

Good morning Rockford! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What change is coming to Rockford’s Harrison Avenue Post Office name?
• How much have Rockford apartment rents really jumped since last year?
• Will Rockford’s Democratic challenger stay on the 2026 primary ballot?

Also on today's calendar: The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and frigid, with a high of 8 and low of 1 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Breezy and not as cold, temps: high: 26, low: 13.
• Tuesday: Not as cold, becoming breezy, with a high of 36 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. House votes to honor Rockford mail carrier Jay Larson (rrstar.com) — Rockford’s Harrison Avenue Post Office is a step closer to being renamed in honor of longtime letter carrier Jay Larson, who was killed while on duty in 2024. A bipartisan House vote advances legislation recognizing his 25 years of service and lasting impact on the Rockford community.
   

2. Rockford apartments \u200bfor rent saw price increases since last November (rrstar.com) — Rockford renters are facing a 10% jump in median apartment listing prices since last November, with typical rents now at $1,095. One- and two-bedroom units have climbed even faster, though Rockford prices still sit well below Illinois and national medians, offering some relative affordability despite the squeeze.
   

3. Rockford Democrat running against Sorensen in IL-17 primary facing petition objection (wqad.com) — A Rockford Democrat challenging Rep. Eric Sorensen in the 17th Congressional District is facing a formal objection to his nominating petitions, but state officials say he remains an active candidate for now. The Illinois State Board of Elections will review the case in early January, ahead of the March 2026 primary, to decide whether he stays on the ballot.
   

4. Should I warm up my car before driving in the winter? (woodtv.com) — With Rockford temperatures dropping, local drivers are reminded that long winter warm-ups are no longer necessary for most modern cars. Experts say 20–30 seconds of idling is enough before driving gently, and that extended idling wastes fuel, increases pollution, and can even invite car theft if vehicles are left running unattended.
   

5. Diocese of Rockford, OSF HealthCare issue statements on legalization of medically assisted suicide in Illinois (wifr.com) — Rockford’s Catholic leaders are strongly condemning Illinois’ newly signed medically assisted suicide law, even as they prepare to expand palliative, hospice, and spiritual care options locally. The Diocese of Rockford and OSF HealthCare say they will not participate in assisted suicide, urging residents to support life-affirming care while the law’s safeguards are developed ahead of its 2026 start.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 14

• Dolly Partons Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
  Coronado Theatre, 314 N Main St, Rockford
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 14

• Winter Development Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Drop-in Softball
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am
• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am
• Raptors Soccer Training
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  5:00 pm
• City Council Meeting
  Rockford, IL Calendar , 425 E. State Street 2nd Floor , Rockford
  5:30 pm
• RPD Women's Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  6:00 pm
• RPD Indoor Softball League
  Mercyhealth Sportscore One , 1288 Elmwood Rd. , Rockford
  6:00 pm

Friday December 19

• The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden , 2715 S Main St , Rockford
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden , 2715 S Main St , Rockford
  5:00 pm

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• IYSA ODP Soccer Training
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• Hispanic Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• SNØMARKET - Day 3
  The Norwegian , 1402 N Main St , Rockford
  11:00 am
• Snømarket 2025
  The Norwegian , 1402 N Main St , Rockford
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:

• Mike’s Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
  Property Maintenance, Tree Removal, & Landscaping

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Anyone who has children and don't have a Christmas tree for them.
  I have a brand new 7 ft already has lights and I have a bag of bulbs that can go with it. No hooks though. It's free thirty but please I want it to… (Nextdoor Signal Hill)
• My son found a German Shepherd in the neighborhood today.
  It had a shock collar on it, but he could not get close enough to identify the name on the tag. Last seen at 4:00 p.m. on Red Oak Lane in Rockford… (Nextdoor Red Oaks)

• The Rockford Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 2000 block of S. 5th St. this morning. Upon arrival, the first arriving units... (X: RockfordFire)
• RPS 205 hosted its first-ever regional CDW & Google for Education workshop at The Quad! Nearly 50 leaders from 25 regional school districts explored... (X: RPS205)

• ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Cleaner/evenings in Rockford IL in Rockford. Apply here.
• ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI 3419 posted a job opening for Fire Restoration Cleaning Technician in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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