🌱 Patch AM: Why Rockford’s Catholic leaders are condemning Illinois’ new assisted-suicide law

Coffee in hand, Rockford? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Rockford’s Catholic leaders are condemning Illinois’ new assisted-suicide law
• How Rockford kids use baseball to secretly surprise young cancer patients
• Why a Rockford man is jailed after a months-long police search

Also on today's calendar: Pokemon League Challenge and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: A stray morning shower, with a high of 46 and low of 34 degrees.
• Saturday: Cloudy, temps: high: 45, low: 41.
• Sunday: Rain; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 49 and low of 11 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Pope Leo XIV disappointed by Gov. Pritzker's decision on Illinois assisted suicide bill (mystateline.com) — Rockford’s Catholic Diocese is voicing strong opposition after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Illinois’ new Medical Aid in Dying law, legalizing assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. Pope Leo XIV says he personally urged Pritzker to veto the bill, while Rockford and other dioceses warn it undermines human dignity and conflicts with Catholic health providers’ mission.
   

2. Local youth baseball team K-Cancer supports children with cancer through toy drive (mystateline.com) — A Rockford-based youth baseball nonprofit, K-Cancer, is brightening the holidays for local children battling cancer with a December toy drive that delivers surprise gifts right to their doors. Players help collect, wrap, and secretly drop off presents while also learning business and life skills. The group supports families year-round, offering financial, logistical, and emotional help beyond the holidays.
   

3. Man wanted for months for allegedly pulling gun on teen at Harvard Taco Bell now in custody (shawlocal.com) — A Rockford resident has been taken into custody after Harvard police spent months seeking him in connection with an armed confrontation involving a teenager at a Taco Bell parking lot. The 24-year-old is facing multiple felony and weapons charges, is being held without pretrial release in McHenry County, and is scheduled to return to court Monday.
   

4. BBB gives tips on gift returns and exchanges for holiday season (wifr.com) — Rockford shoppers are being urged to double-check return policies before heading back to the stores with unwanted gifts this season. The local Better Business Bureau office warns that many retailers have tightened deadlines and rules for exchanges, and encourages residents to keep receipts handy and report any suspicious return-related scams online.
   

5. Duane Hermanson built Chryslers and maintained airplanes in the Air Force (roscoenews.com) — Family and friends in the Rockford area are mourning Roscoe resident Duane Roy Hermanson, 90, who passed away December 20 at Mercy Hospital in Rockford. A retired Chrysler worker and U.S. Air Force airplane mechanic, he is remembered for his strong work ethic, devotion to family, and service to his country, with memorial arrangements still pending.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 27

• Fireside Yoga Flow — RealBeautifulYOU
  RealBeautifulYOU, LLC, 420 N Main St, Rockford
  6:45 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 27

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park

Sunday December 28

• 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
• Pokemon League Challenge
  Cataclysm Tabletop Gaming , 8289 Burden Rd Suite SE , Machesney Park
  10:00 am

Monday December 29

• Raptors 3v3 Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am

Tuesday December 30

• Big Cat Goalkeeping Clinic
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  9:00 am

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 26

• Kids After Hours Laser Tag
  Cherry Valley Public Library District , 755 E State St , Cherry Valley
  5:30 pm
• Rockford Thunder MLIS Game
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
• Boylan Girls Tourney
  Boylan Catholic High School , 4000 St Francis Dr , Rockford
  12:30 pm

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:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Mike’s Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
  Property Maintenance, Tree Removal, & Landscaping

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• **Found!
  ****Lost dogs!!!!!Merry Christmas. Our two golden retrievers, Ozzy and Zoey have decided to share some cheer and left the yard. Both are friendly and… (Nextdoor Sierra Heights)
• LOST DOG:
  huge lost dog near buckingham, scottswood & roncevalles. it ran away before i could coax it closer. (Nextdoor Parkview Ave)

• Cintas posted a job opening for Production Associate - Custodian in Rockford. Apply here.
• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Bucciferro McDonald's 14 or 15 Years Old Crew Team Member (Minor) 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 guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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