Stories | Rockford Sun

State Rep. West calls for ban on use of “Indians,” “Chiefs," “Redskins” and "Blackhawks" by Illinois public schools

By LGIS News Service | Feb 13, 2024

Illinois State Rep. Maurice West, III (D-Rockford) is calling for a ban on Illinois public schools using terms like “Chiefs” as their mascot.

Bipartisan PAC urges State’s Attorney Hanley to oppose SAFE-T Act

By LGIS News Service | Aug 4, 2022

Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, a Republican, is being urged to join an effort to repeal Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act, which retools multiple parts of the criminal justice system, including the elimination of cash bail.

Bipartisan PAC urges State’s Attorney Smith to oppose SAFE-T Act

By LGIS News Service | Jul 27, 2022

Boone County State’s Attorney Tricia L. Smith, a Republican, is being urged to join an effort to repeal Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act, which retools multiple parts of the criminal justice system, including the elimination of cash bail.

Winnebago County school districts mum on state’s new sex education policy

By LGIS News Service | Jun 24, 2022

Nine school districts in Winnebago County are mum on Illinois’ new law that aligns sex education policies for grades K-12 with national standards.

Boone County school districts opting out of state’s new sex education policy

By LGIS News Service | Jun 24, 2022

Two school districts in Boone County are opting out of Illinois’ new law that aligns sex education policies for grades K-12 with national standards.

Hononegah, Byron advance to IHSA football quarterfinales

By LGIS News Service | Nov 9, 2021

Of the 64 teams advancing to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) quarterfinals Saturday, two are from Rockford County.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois’ non-teaching public employee jobs down 6.9% in wake of pandemic

By LGIS News Service | 4 years ago

The size of Illinois’ combined local and state government workforces declined 6.9% from July 2019 to July 2021, representing the fifth largest gap in public-employee job recovery during the pandemic, a Pew Charitable Trusts study concluded.

Durand CUSD 322 among 47 districts facing discipline after defying governor’s school mask mandate

By LGIS News Service | Sep 3, 2021

Nearly 50 public school districts, including Durand Community Unit School District 322, have been placed on probation by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for defying Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recently reissued mask mandate, according to an LGIS News Service tally.

From Prairie State Wire

Top marginal tax rate in Illinois could reach 54.29% under Biden plan

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

Under Democrat Joe Biden’s federal tax plan, the top marginal tax rate in Illinois could hit 54.29 percent, according to a new analysis by the Tax Foundation.

Analysis: Winnebago County retiree households could pay $3,726.79 annually under Pritzker graduated income tax hike plan

By LGIS News Service | Oct 12, 2020

The 49,450 retirees in Winnebago County could pay as much as $3,726.79 in state income taxes if voters approve Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated tax hike amendment on Nov. 3, according to an analysis by the Rockford Sun.

Analysis: Boone County retiree households could pay $3,797.93 annually under Pritzker graduated income tax hike plan

By LGIS News Service | Oct 12, 2020

The 8,460 in Boone County retirees could pay as much as $3,797.93 in state income taxes if voters approve Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated tax hike amendment on Nov. 3, according to an analysis by the Rockford Sun.

Covid-19 cases in Winnebago County nursing homes number 19, with zero deaths

By LGIS News Service | Apr 23, 2020

Coronavirus cases among Winnebago County nursing home residents numbered 19 as of April 21, none of whom died as a result of the virus, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

From Prairie State Wire

Hundreds of ICU beds, nearly 2,000 ventilators not in use in Illinois, tally shows

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

Close to 60% of the Illinois’ ventilators and nearly 30% of the state’s intensive care unit beds remain available to treat COVID-19 patients, according to hospital utilization numbers reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

From Chicago City Wire

EXCLUSIVE: Confirmed flu cases in Chicago continue to drop as COVID-19 cases keep climbing

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

The number of influenza cases in Chicago has been plummeting in recent weeks, with no flu-related intensive care unit hospitalizations reported during the week ending April 4, the Chicago Department of Public Health reports.