Good morning, Rockford! In today’s edition: Zillow’s No. 1 housing market, Candy Cloud drive-thru, a speakeasy murder mystery dinner, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Sweet expansion takes shape: Rockford-based Candy Cloud has broken ground on its first drive-thru in Machesney Park, near Tom & Jerry’s, bringing lemonades, creamy shakes, energy ReVideos, and nostalgic treats to the area — get all the details.

Unexpected real estate hotspot: Zillow named Rockford, Illinois the No. 1 U.S. housing market for 2025, citing affordability, strong demand under $350,000, and quick sales, with heavy interest from out-of-town buyers — see why it ranks first.

Hospitality sees expanded freedoms: A new Illinois law will make cocktails to go permanent for delivery and curbside pickup, with additional changes for craft distillers and brewers that industry groups call a major win — see what the law changes.

New strategy to fight hunger: Farmers Rising plans to launch a Mobile Grocery Initiative in Rockford, Illinois in 2026 to expand affordable food access in underserved neighborhoods, starting with a publicity and fundraising campaign — get all the details.

Your new cider stop: In a laid-back tasting room, Broken Brix Fermentation Emporium pours small-batch, house-made ciders, plus mead and wine. Settle in, sample something crisp, then circle back for the one that sticks… an easygoing spot for discovering your next favorite.

Major neighborhood infrastructure overhaul: Rockford’s 13th Ward will see street upgrades under the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan, the largest in city history, Auburn Street expected 70 percent complete by the end of this summer — get all the project details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🏒 Manitoba Moose at Rockford Icehogs @ BMO Center | Tuesday (1/13) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats Taco Tuesday with a side of body checks as the IceHogs host the Manitoba Moose at the BMO Center. $2 tacos, cold drinks, and good chirps, all under one roof. Bring your inside voice, then promptly ignore it.

🐦 January Guided Bird Hike @ Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden | Wednesday (1/14) at 8:30 AM – January’s best excuse to bundle up is a free guided bird walk at Klehm Arboretum, where biologist Liz is covering bird ID, apps, and nature journaling while we scout winter regulars. Beginner friendly, 2 to 3 miles on mixed terrain, bring binoculars, bragging rights included.

♻ Sustain Rockford’s 10th Anniversary Celebration @ The Standard | Wednesday (1/14) at 5:15 PM – Whether you’ve been composting since before it was cool, or you’re just here for company, Sustain Rockford’s 10th anniversary party is your speed. Expect good vibes, real conversations, and easy ways to support local green efforts, plus the smug satisfaction of helping the planet.

🕵 Speakeasy Murder Mystery Dinner @ Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – Start with dinner at the Embassy Suites Rooftop Lounge, then head to the Tinker mansion museum for a 1920s whodunit. Dress to impress, channel your inner flapper or wiseguy, enjoy the included non-alcoholic sips, and outsmart mobsters and coppers without scuffing your dance shoes.

☕ Stoneware Mug Workshop @ The Pottery Lounge | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – A night at the pottery studio means retiring the chipped souvenir and making the stoneware mug you want to drink from. Pick a style Wavy, Thumbler, Latte, or Brewski, glaze it, kiln-fired to be food, dishwasher, and oven safe. Advanced registration required, tickets are non-refundable.

🎩 Jackpot Joe’s Magic @ Jackpot Joe’s | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – Expect close-up wizardry, dry humor, and a finale where a bowling ball appears at 8 pm like it paid cover. Bring the crew, sip something, and try to spot the moves. You won’t, and you’ll leave grinning like a kid who found the coin.

🎤 Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Tour @ Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Craving the King without the Vegas flight? This birthday tribute at Hard Rock Casino Rockford rolls through eras, from rockabilly and G.I. blues to the ‘68 leather comeback and Vegas years, starring Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter, Ryan Pelton, and Moses Snow, with The Stamps.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Rockford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 34°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 91%

Rain and snow before noon, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 34, with temperatures falling to around 30 in the afternoon. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible. Later: Scattered snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 19, with temperatures rising to around 21 overnight. West northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 30°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Most popular house this week

An entertainer’s compound with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths, including three owner’s suites. A 20-foot, cathedral-ceilinged kitchen anchors the plan with a butler’s station and a two-tier deck off the casual dining area. The primary suite adds generous closets, a soaking tub, and a glass block shower with Grohe fixtures. Additions were led by Rockford architect Lawrence Liston.

Four furnaces and four AC units, three washers and dryers, two Sub-Zero refrigerators, and three dishwashers keep gatherings effortless. An inground pool with diving board, designed grounds, a wine room, and a media room with kitchenette pair with a carriage house with kitchenette. New roof, gutters, skylights, and driveway in 2024.

Take a peek inside →