Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Rockford’s holiday shoppers suddenly flooded Cherryvale Mall this weekend

Coming up on the Rockford Patch calendar: The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Hi there, Rockford! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Rockford’s holiday shoppers suddenly flooded Cherryvale Mall this weekend
  • How an overheated bathroom fan forced three Rockford residents from home
  • How could Springfield’s new energy bill change Rockford power bills?

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

Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 24 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Tuesday: Not as cold, becoming breezy, temps: high: 36, low: 29.
  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 35 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Rockford businesses see shopping surge with Christmas nearing (mystateline.com) — Rockford shoppers packed Cherryvale Mall this weekend, giving local stores a crucial boost as Christmas approaches. Business owners say holiday sales make up a big share of their year, and warmer, clearer weather finally brought people out after recent cold and snow kept many home.
   

• Residents displaced after bathroom fan overheats, causes house fire (wifr.com) — Three residents are displaced after an overheated bathroom ventilation fan sparked an attic fire at a home on St. Annes Way in Rockford Saturday afternoon. Rockford firefighters quickly contained the blaze, no one was hurt, and damage is estimated at $55,000, with the American Red Cross helping those forced from the home.
   

• Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers' backs' (blackchronicle.com) — Rockford residents could see a new line item on electric bills starting in 2030 under a statewide energy bill that Sen. Steve Stadelman says will be offset by added battery capacity. The measure, awaiting Gov. Pritzker’s signature, has supporters promising long-term affordability while small-business groups and some lawmakers warn it will immediately raise ratepayer costs.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    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
  • Dungeons & Dragons
    Cherry Valley Public Library District , 755 East State Street , Cherry Valley
    5:30 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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I live on Hilton ave I can hear a dog outside barking And crying , it is too cold to be out, but I can’t figure out which house it is to report?
    Can anyone help me locate before that dog dies of exposure? (Nextdoor Palmwood)
  • Yesterday I was struck by a vehicle while walking home around 05:00pm, between Spring Brook Rd and Hickory Ave on Spring Creek Rd: in front of St Anskar's Episcopal Church.
    The vehicle did NOT stop, and I wasn't able to get the license plate, make, or model. The only thing I know is that it's a glossy dark gray sedan… (Nextdoor North End Square)
  • 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)
  • ROCKFORD IL Dec 13 Climate: High: 17 Low: -1 Precip:" Snow:" Snow Depth: 1"... (X: iembot_lot)
  • Vestis posted a job opening for Janitor Field in Rockford. Apply here.
  • Rockford Public Schools posted a job opening for Part Time School Counselor Grades 6-8 (2025/2026 School Year) in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Machesney Park

  • Rockford Vintage Fest returns as vendors gather for holiday season (wrex.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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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