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Hey Rockford, hope your week’s off to a good start! In case you missed yesterday’s email, BaseLocal Business went live last week… and it’s going way better than I ever could have imagined!
If you run a local business and haven’t signed up, you can join here for free.
The more businesses we have on the platform, the more events, announcements, news, cool spots to check out, and deals we’ll have to share with you all every week. So if you know of a local business that belongs in the newsletter, forward this email to them or send ‘em here so they sign up too! The more the merrier 🙂
That’s all for today – let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Beat cabin fever with festivals: From the 2026 Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition in Rockford to Galena’s Winter Carnival Weekend set for February 13 to 16, Illinois events promise ice art, skating, and Groundhog Days fun — check out the full lineup.
What set these cities apart: Neighbors Bank named Rockford among the best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2026, citing affordability and quality of life. Cities like Rockford stand out for easy commutes and manageable costs — see the full top 10.
New grants for workforce training: Illinois announced a $24 million plan to expand manufacturing training, funding six new academies at downstate community colleges. Eligible schools are outside Cook and the collar counties, following Rockford projects — get all the details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its 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.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Constituent support series begins: State Rep. Tony McCombie will hold office hours on Jan. 21 at the Byron Public Library to help residents access state resources. Her 89th District includes parts of Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, DeKalb, Stephenson, Carroll, and Jo Daviess counties. See when and where to attend.
Where fit comes first: Locally and veteran-owned since 1960, Akerman Shoes does old-school measuring, modern comfort brands, and straightforward guidance so you leave with shoes your feet (and back) actually like. Put off replacing those “good enough” kicks? Consider this your nudge.
Tuscan vibes nearby: When you need an easy mini-escape, DC Estate Winery pours family-made wines and rotating wine slushies in a pretty, park-like setting. Grab a friend, claim a spot by the water, and linger for an afternoon. It feels like a getaway without the flight.
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).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🍚 Risotto Cooking Class @ Hidden Creek Estates | Wednesday (1/21) at 5:00 PM – Trade weeknight guesswork for a risotto class where the rice listens, with seasonal add-ins, a welcome drink, curated wine, and an antipasto station that keeps your hands busy between stirs. Hands-on, intimate, and useful, perfect for home cooks and food lovers. Seats are limited, $100.
📖 Story Sprouts: Bundle Up @ Cherry Valley Public Library District | Thursday (1/22) at 9:30 AM – Bundle up for a cozy 30 minutes where the littles burn wiggles and accidentally learn. Expect rhymes, finger plays, short stories, and dance breaks for ages 1 to 6, building reading mojo while you exhale. Registration is required, and it fills fast.
🏒 Rockford IceHogs vs. Texas Stars @ BMO Center | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – Break out your lucky sweater and cheer on the hometown IceHogs as they face the Texas Stars, where cowboys meet Zambonis. It’s cool temps, hot coffee, and louder-than-you-remember goal horns, perfect for date night, the crew, or escaping chores.
This weekend
🎂 Happy Birthday, Flora Prairie! – Volunteer Saturday @ Flora Prairie Nature Preserve | Saturday (1/24) at 9:00 AM – Flora Prairie turns 58, BCCD’s first land acquisition back in 1968, so instead of cake, we’re bringing elbow grease. Join a feel-good volunteer morning, pull weeds, tidy trails, and rack up local bragging rights. Registration required, email [email protected], or call 815-547-7935.
🎉 Grand Opening x 24th Birthday Bash! @ Truly Divine Designs | Saturday (1/24) at 1:00 PM – Grand opening energy meets a 24th birthday on 22nd Street, so expect confetti, toasts, and $24 deals. Permanent jewelry bracelets, trucker hats with a patch, and charm bar bracelets with two charms while they last. Commit to a bracelet, Rockford, and call it self-care.
🎬 Cabin Fever: “The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam” @ Cherry Valley Public Library District | Sunday (1/25) at 2:00 PM – Settle in for Cabin Fever as author Lynn Rymarz braids Frances McGrath from Kristin Hannah’s The Women with the true story of Lynda Van Devanter, two Army nurses in Vietnam. Not light fare, but it beats doomscrolling, and it’s honest, humane, and well told.
🎼 Rockford Symphony Orchestra: Art of the Fugue @ Trinity Lutheran Church | Sunday (1/25) at 3:00 PM – Think you know Bach as background music? Try his Art of the Fugue, reimagined for brass sextet, where one stubborn little theme blossoms into a rich, brain-tingling tapestry of sound, equal parts intellectual puzzle, quiet beauty, and polished Rockford swagger.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Rockford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 20°F – Low: 13°F – Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny. High near 20, with temperatures falling to around 18 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -12. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 26°F – Low: 7°F – Precip: 16%
A slight chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
Private estate on a quiet road in Belvidere North District 100 on a 250 by 850 foot tree lined lot. Out back, find a 20 by 40 in ground pool with diving board, paver deck, new deck, and a fenced yard. A 0.43 acre stocked pond adds winter ice skating.
The home spans 2,400 square feet with a finished basement, three rooms, a sauna, and second floor laundry. A 40 by 60 steel pole building with 200 amp service joins key updates, 2017 roof and siding, 2018 furnace and AC, and a 2024 pool heater. Appliances stay, including a 2024 washer and dryer. Near shopping, dining, and Rockford Mercy Hospital.
Take a peek inside →
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