Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Who will you nominate for Rockford’s 2026 arts awards?
Be sure to catch Golf Driving Range on the Rockford Patch calendar
Morning Rockford! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Who will you nominate for Rockford’s 2026 arts awards?
- Why is Rockford suddenly America’s hottest homebuying market?
- How Rockford’s deaf community helped shape one family’s quiet joy
Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 38 and low of 32 degrees.
- Tuesday: Areas of morning fog, temps: high: 44, low: 28.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon mist, with a high of 43 and low of 36 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Rockford Area Arts Awards opens nominations for 2026 (wifr.com) — Nominations are now open for the 2026 Rockford Area Arts Awards, honoring standout creatives and arts advocates from across the Rockford region. You can submit detailed nominations online through Jan. 9, 2026, before winners are celebrated March 6 at Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 for $65. 
Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• 'It was perfect timing;' Rockford area family finds dream home before Christmas (mystateline.com) — Rockford’s housing market is so hot that a new Zillow report ranks it the best place in the country to buy a home, yet houses are still selling in under two weeks. Local realtors say buyers often need multiple offers ready, but one Rockford-area family beat the rush and landed their dream home just in time for Christmas.
• Raised by deaf parents, Cedar Rapids woman learned life's lessons in sign language (thegazette.com) — A Cedar Rapids woman raised by deaf parents shares memories of growing up in an Illinois home shaped entirely by sign language, including her mother’s job hunt at a Rockford factory and ties to Rockford’s deaf community. Her family’s story highlights how communication, not hearing, defined their warmth, resilience, and celebrations.
📸 Around Rockford
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford
- Golf Driving Range
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
10:00 am - City Offices Closed - Christmas Eve
Rockford, IL Calendar Rockford, IL 61104 - City Offices Closed - Christmas
Rockford, IL Calendar Rockford, IL 61104 - Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park - Rockford Thunder MLIS Game
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
6:30 pm - Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park - Hispanic Soccer League
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
8:00 am - Raptors 3v3 Tournament
Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
8:00 am
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
📣 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
- Golf Driving Range
Atwood Center Indoor Sports Center
10:00 am - Drop-in Softball
Atwood Center Indoor Sports Center
10:00 am - Building Bonanza
Cherry Valley Public Library District , 755 E State St , Cherry Valley
1:00 pm - RPD Indoor Softball League
Mercyhealth Sportscore One , 1288 Elmwood Rd. , Rockford
6:00 pm
Monday December 22
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
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update: Pet Reunited
A dog who went missing in Rockford, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 21 hours, 24 minutes. Message from Finder: "He was found… (Nextdoor Marshall Street) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Lady & Champ was LOST on December 19, 2025 in Rockford, IL 61104 near Broadway and 18th Street Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor North West Side)
- Mathnasium posted a job opening for Math Instructor / Tutor in Rockford. Apply here.
- Rockford Public Schools posted a job opening for Bass Fishing - Head Coach - Season Dates: 04/06/2026 - 06/06/2026 in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.
🗞 Nearby News
Machesney Park
- Trial set for Loves Park man accused in gymnastics star's murder (mystateline.com)
Roscoe
- Rockford area basketball scores from Friday, December 19, 2025 (mystateline.com)
- Blue Christmas service honors lives lost to opioid overdose (rrstar.com)
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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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