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13 WREX •

'No Kings Day' Protest Takes Over Downtown Rockford

On Saturday, hundreds of Stateline residents gathered at the Rockford City Market Pavilion to speak out against President Donald Trump’s policies.Across the country, demonstrations dubbed “No Kings Day” protests were organized to push back against what some believe to be the President’s encroaching executive powers and to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday celebration in Washington D.C.“I don't think that we should have one designated ruler in America. It's what we have checks and balances for....
13 WREX •

Gen Z Voters Could Impact The 2024 Elections, How Candidates Are Using Tik Tok To Mobilize Them

ROCKFORD - In the 2024 U.S. General Elections about 40.8 million Generation Zers will be eligible to vote according to the Center For Information & Research On Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).Since the 2022 Midterm Elections, CIRCLE estimates about 8.3 million newly eligible voters will have aged since then, we’re talking about young adults turning 18 and 19 in 2024.For reference, the youngest voter that will head to the polls this November was born in 2006.But will our country’s youngest...
13 WREX •

DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District

Your 13 Election Authority is keeping track of the key races on ballots across northern Illinois at the federal, state, and local levels.One of the most hotly contested races this year is one on the national stage: the race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Voters will decide between incumbent Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen and Republican challenger and former judge Joe McGraw.13 News Today's Manny Estopinan held interviews with both candidates to discuss key issues on the minds of voter...
13 WREX •

DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 11th Congressional District

As the countdown to Election Day continues, Your 13 Election Authority is helping you stay as informed as you can be before casting your vote.A top national headline this election is control of the U.S. House, in addition to the Senate and, of course, the Presidency. While Illinois does not have a Senate seat up for election this year, all 17 U.S. House districts are up for grabs.In the Stateline, the most hotly contested race is in the 17th District, between incumbent Eric Sorensen and challeng...
13 WREX •

Artificial Intelligence Is Here: How The Innovative Technology Is Taking Over The Stateline

ROCKFORD (WREX) — Over the past several years many companies have harnessed the power of Artificial Intelligence across different industries and job sectors.The Stateline has been no stranger to the effects of AI as the technology makes its way into our everyday lives.If you step into the Rockford Walmart off Walton Street you’ll see ADAM at the One Kitchen, the resident mixologist, capable of making everything from a cup of coffee to a refreshing boba drink.ADAM is an AI-powered bartender and b...

Political Coverage

13 WREX •

Race for Freeport’s next mayor: Joshua Atkinson looks to bring a fresh start to City Hall

Joshua Atkinson is running for Mayor of Freeport, under the Democratic Party, trying to unseat 2-term incumbent Mayor Jodi Miller.Joshua and his partner moved to Freeport about four years ago from the O’Hare area, looking for a smaller tight knit community, he fell in love with the area and it’s future potential.In the past year, Atkinson became more involved with city politics, frequently attending city council meetings. He felt the city needed better leadership saying, “I [saw] things that tro...
13 WREX •

Republican Candidate For Congress, Joe McGraw, Weighs In On Border Security

ROCKFORD - With less than 100 days until Election day, Republican Candidate Judge Joe McGraw joins 13 News Today as he weighs in on the work he'll do on Capital Hill if he's elected to Illinois' 17th Congressional District.President Biden recently announced a set of reforms for the Supreme Court that would target "presidential immunity, term limits for Supreme Court justices and mandatory ethics rules."With nearly 20 years of experience on the bench, Judge McGraw weighs-in on what he's calling "...
13 WREX •

Worker's Rights on the Illinois Ballot

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Election day is less than a month away and there's a ballot initiative that's aiming to make changes to the state constitution to protect the rights of workers to unionize.Come election day, Illinoisans will have a chance to vote on the future of unions.Illinois's labor movement can be traced back to the 1860s when miners tried to secure safe working conditions to be a constitutional right but received pushback.Dr. Rosemary Feurer a NIU history professor explains, "It wasn't un...
13 WREX •

Congressman Eric Sorensen Says Democrats On Capital Hill Are "Excited For The Future"

ROCKFORD — After a shakeup of the 2024 Presidential election, Democrats on Capital Hill are building support behind their new presumptive nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. U.S. House Representative Eric Sorensen, who represents Illinois' 17th Congressional District, posted on X, just two weeks after President Biden's debate, asking him to "step aside in his campaign for President.""I see my 80 year old parents and I see them aging and aging does happen. And when I look and I'm dealing in Co...
13 WREX •

Congressman Eric Sorensen weighs-in on government shutdown deadline, protections for IVF

ROCKFORD, Ill. — U.S. House Representative Eric Sorensen is a Rockford native and former meteorologist that represents Illinois's 17th District.March 8th will mark the first of two deadlines to fund the government, with a 1,050-page legislation released on Sunday, Congress is set to vote on the measure before the deadline to avoid a government shutdown. When asked about the looming shutdown this Friday, Sorensen said it was important to "kick the politics out the door" and move forward on fundin...
13 WREX •

DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District

Your 13 Election Authority is keeping track of the key races on ballots across northern Illinois at the federal, state, and local levels.One of the most hotly contested races this year is one on the national stage: the race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Voters will decide between incumbent Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen and Republican challenger and former judge Joe McGraw.13 News Today's Manny Estopinan held interviews with both candidates to discuss key issues on the minds of voter...
13 WREX •

DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 11th Congressional District

As the countdown to Election Day continues, Your 13 Election Authority is helping you stay as informed as you can be before casting your vote.A top national headline this election is control of the U.S. House, in addition to the Senate and, of course, the Presidency. While Illinois does not have a Senate seat up for election this year, all 17 U.S. House districts are up for grabs.In the Stateline, the most hotly contested race is in the 17th District, between incumbent Eric Sorensen and challeng...
13 WREX •

Gen Z Voters Could Impact The 2024 Elections, How Candidates Are Using Tik Tok To Mobilize Them

ROCKFORD - In the 2024 U.S. General Elections about 40.8 million Generation Zers will be eligible to vote according to the Center For Information & Research On Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).Since the 2022 Midterm Elections, CIRCLE estimates about 8.3 million newly eligible voters will have aged since then, we’re talking about young adults turning 18 and 19 in 2024.For reference, the youngest voter that will head to the polls this November was born in 2006.But will our country’s youngest...
13 WREX •

White House Marijuana Pardon Opens Possibilities For Prior Criminals

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This week the Biden White House announced a pardon for those with a marijuana possession under federal law.While the White House has specified that no one is currently in federal prison for marijuana possession alone, the pardon is still beneficial to many getting services they probably didn't have access to before. "I even spoke to a gentleman yesterday who said they were denied insurance coverage because of a possession charge back in 1998, that surprised me, I have never hea...

Highlighting The Hispanic Community

13 WREX •

Celebrating Hispanic Leaders: Daniel Saavedra, Influencing Stateline Architecture

ROCKFORD (WREX) – As we celebrate Hispanic culture, today we take a look at leaders who continuously leave an impact in their communities.Daniel Saavedra is the mastermind architect behind many buildings that you’ve probably driven by or even been inside of, from the YMCA of Rock River Valley to the First United Methodist Church in Belvidere.Over a dozen buildings across the Stateline have been designed and brought to life by this very talented Hispanic architect.“I have to bring who I am so in...
13 WREX •

Celebrating Hispanic Cutlure: The Taste Of Puerto Rico

LOVES PARK - Throughout our Hispanic Heritage Month coverage we've brought you the tastes of Latin America, that you can catch right here in the Stateline.We've brought you the cuisines of Mexico, Peru, and Colombia but today we travel to the Caribbean islands, specifically to a place known to the locals as “La Isla Del Encanto”,The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico.Puerto Rican cuisine on the island draws inspiration from West Africa and Spain and it includes staples like rice, beans and plant...
13 WREX •

Stateline Latino physicians highlight underrepresentation in the workforce

ROCKFORD (WREX) - As we continue our Hispanic heritage month coverage, today we look ahead to National Latino Physician Day.Sunday October 1st will be a day to shine a spotlight on the low representation of Latino doctors across the nation.Right now Latinos make up 19 percent of the U.S population but only 6 percent of all doctors in the country are Latino.The movement enters its second year, as doctors nationwide try to bring awareness to this issue at hand.We sat down with one local ambassador...
13 WREX •

Belvidere Celebrates Mexican Independence Day

BELVIDERE (WREX) - It was a festive day in Belvidere as Mexican-Americans across town rejoiced to celebrate a special day."Its not only for Hispanic people, its for everybody, we're celebrating the 16th of September which a lot of people tell me what's the 16th of September, well its independence day for Mexico," saysResidents came to enjoy the rhythmic sounds of Mexico, food trucks serving tacos and elotes and local vendors selling their crafts.A couple of blocks down, the Boone County Museum o...
13 WREX •

Celebrating Hispanic Cuisine: The Tastes of Peru

ROCKFORD (WREX) - As we celebrate Hispanic culture this month we're bringing you the tastes of Latin America that you can find right here in the Stateline.Last week we took you to the coast of Mexico, today we travel to the South American country of Peru.It’s a place popularly known for the ruins left by the Inca Empire hundreds of years ago but Peru has so much more to offer.Its cuisine is influenced from its indigenous and immigrant population with common staples like corn, potatoes, and seafo...
13 WREX •

Mosaico Cultural: Mexican Folk Dancers Kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month

ROCKFORD (WREX) - With the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, WREX brings you the first of many noteworthy groups shaping our communities. Mosaico Cultural founder Liz Hernandez tells us, "I wanted to do something for the kids in the community, since I was little I've been dancing and I'm like you know what, I'm going to start a dance group, folklorico.Brainchild Liz Hernandez started Moscaico Cultural over seven years ago, giving kids the chance to learn traditional Mexican folk dances.When we d...
13 WREX •

Celebrating Community Leaders Amplifying Hispanic Voices: Ricardo Montoya Picazo

ROCKFORD (WREX) This month as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the leaders in our very own community, who go the distance to amplify Hispanic voices that are too often silenced or even ignored.Today we shine the spotlight on Ricardo Montoya Picazo, he sits on numerous city and county boards, constantly bringing Hispanic voices to every table that he gets a seat at.Ricardo’s story starts on the Mexican border when he illegally crossed as a 7 year old child, given discreet instru...

Human Interest Stories

13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: From Auburn High School Valedictorian to Jeopardy Champion

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This week’s inspiring 815, Lloyd Sy, grabbed the Stateline's attention when he became a Jeopardy champion.This Auburn High School alumnus recounts his journey to becoming the grand champion.“I 100 % did not expect to win, again I was just trying to be happy, just trying to appreciate the moment, take in the fact I was literally on the Jeopardy stage in front of a national audience,” explains Lloyd when he beat out 13-time champion Ray LaLonde.Lloyd's journey to the Jeopardy sta...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Granting Wishes for Young Adults with Cancer

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This weeks Inspiring 815 took a difficult moment in her life, full of despair and pain, and turned it into a mission that has spread joy across the Stateline and the nation to young adults battling cancer."You can imagine being 17 years old and getting the news you have cancer, to be outside playing basketball one day and for doctors to tell you have a 20% chance of living the next, it is just absolutely mind blowing,” explains Kelli Ritschel, founder of the Nikolas Ritschel Fo...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Freeport Teacher Instills Hope

FREEPORT (WREX) - To many he goes by Mr. C! This week’s Inspiring 815 is a special education teacher from Jones-Farrar out of the Freeport School District and just recently he won the Illinois’ Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.Despite adversity in his own life, this teacher instills hope to make sure his own students overcome their own challenges.“I was actually a product of trauma from poverty,” said Eugene very bluntly when he spoke about his impoverished childhood.Eugene Calignacion gre...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Rockford Teen Uses Poetry To Bridge Gap In Health Literacy

ROCKFORD (WREX) - One Rockord native is using her voice and the art of poetry to inspire the community to be more accepting of one another despite different backgrounds and despite what we may sound like.“We can be a little overshadowed sometimes but often times the most overshadowed people that have the best stories to tell,” jokingly shares Giulyana Gamero.Giulyana Gamero has been telling stories for as long she can remember falling in love with poetry back in the 7th grade class, where she le...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Advocating For Adults With Developmental Disabilities

OREGON (WREX) - When we reached out to this weeks Inspiring 815, he insisted he was no inspiration, but the people he works with had so much to say about him.On any given week you can find Steve James volunteering at the Village of Progress, a place for those often overlooked by society, a safe haven for adults with developmental disabilities."They're so full of energy and happiness and smiling and happy to see you and grateful for any little thing you do for them. I just like being with the fol...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: A long recovery from traumatic brain injury

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Simply put a traumatic brain injury is an injury that affects how your brain works.According to the CDC, 2019 saw there were over 200,000 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries.This weeks Inspiring 815 brings us close to one person's injury and their tough journey to recovery.May 17, 2017 started out like any ordinary day at work for Brian Dixon.“Middle of an overhead weld and I hear Brian look out and that's when everything changed,” describes Brian of that haunt...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Carpenter's Place Provides a Safe House for the Homeless Population

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Many organizations across the Stateline provide the help needed for those who are homeless.One organization is helping them find peace with God, themselves, and their communityAt first glance, you'd think that the Carpenter’s Place was an art studio, with the beautiful art work adorning every wall, with art installations hanging from the roof.But these works of art were made by one of Rockford's most vulnerable people, the homeless population.“This day shelter is a place where...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Helping Hands Food Pantry

MACHESNEY PARK (WFOR) -  Inspiring the 815 one food donation at a time, we're highlighting a community member that's been passionate about addressing food insecurities out of Machesney Park."I was there the first day next door and I've been here ever since," says Gloria Gregory, Community Outreach Facilitator and volunteer at the Helping Hands Food Pantry.Gloria Gregory has been with the Helping Hands food pantry for almost 20 years, since its inception back in December of 2003 out of a much sma...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Leading A Center For Those Who Honorably Served Our Country

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This weeks Inspiring 815. Eric Willard, serves as the Executive Director for the Veteran's Drop-In Center but it was full circle on how he got there.After decades of not being involved with veteran affairs, he attended an event where he met another veteran that served in his same infantry division.That veteran advised him to see a counselor, where there Eric would later be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. It led him to receive a monthly government pension he...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Ho Ho Hope Boxes Spread Holiday Cheer to Families in Need

OREGON (WREX) - This week's Inspiring 815 is feeding the Ogle County community one jolly Christmas box at at time."A little bit crazy to start a food drive in the middle of the pandemic, when all the things were going on right?," explains founder Nick Oliver.That's exactly what Nick Oliver did at the height of the 2020 pandemic, as he began his Ho Ho Hope boxes to help the families he saw that were in need of essential things."The pandemic hit in such a way where a lot of people lost their jobs,...
13 WREX •

Inspiring 815: Life Decisions helps restore Rockford youth

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This week's inspiring 815 is a relatively new organization just getting its footing back in 2021 but the impacts they have on our community's youth are just invaluable.You may not notice as you drive by but a quiet home tucked away off East State Street is building what they call a tribe of mentors.Life Decisions aims to help the Stateline's undervalued and overlooked kids ages 15 to 23.“Its magical to me, they can take any youth and literally transform them. I've seen, other t...

Health

13 WREX •

Narcan vending machines come to Winnebago County

ROCKFORD (WREX) — The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and Health Department have unveiled two Narcan vending machines, hoping this initiative curbs opioid overdose deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020 saw a significant 68,000 increase in opioid overdose deaths.In Winnebago County, data shows that there were 130 reported opioid deaths in 2019, 157 in 2020, and 147 last year. Officials at Rosecrance, an addiction and mental health center, tell 13 WREX that the pandemic...
13 WREX •

Psychiatrist Shortage Troubles The Stateline

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  For years, many have warned of the nation's rising concern of a doctor shortage.Dr. Thomas Wright, Chief Medical Officer for Rosecrance, broke down the rising need for mental health services in the Stateline, worsening since the pandemic. "We've seen a shortage in psychiatrist really for decades now. Half the counties in the united states don't even have one psychiatrist," says Dr. Wright. You heard that right, the psychiatrist shortage is so bad that, according to the Associa...
13 WREX •

Local foundation advocates for suicide prevention

LOVES PARK (WREX) — September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a tragedy that continues to plague many Americans.Eight years ago Xavier Whitford lost her son to suicide.She turned her grief into the Tommy Coral Memorial Foundation(TCMF) an outreach and education program supporting many dealing with suicide.The foundation provides referrals for mental health services, financial support for counseling, and workshops and retreats that engage the community. Her message to parents: Don't bru...

Local Community

13 WREX •

Federal Grants Go Toward Tackling Rockford Crime Rates

ROCKFORD (WREX) - The City of Rockford's Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention was just awarded two federal grants from the Department of Justice.The federal grants hope to address Rockford's crime rate by focusing on the city's youth and preventing them from turning into future aggressors.The two federal grants will total over 1 million dollars, aiming to close the gap to prevent domestic and sexual violence.Jennifer Cacciapaglia is the director of the Mayor's Office of Domestic...
13 WREX •

New I-90 travel center coming to Belvidere

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Interstate-90 commuters will soon have a new place to stop and grab a bite.After two long years the plans to build a Belvidere travel center on a 43 acre plot of east of Tripp Road, has finally become a reality.The rest area will include a gas station and a 12,000 square foot convenience store with a Smoothie King, Wingstop, and a Jimmy Johns.The center will also cater to truckers with 63 parking spaces and showers.And a midsize hotel with about 80 to 100 rooms hopes to attrac...
13 WREX •

Chicagoland residents chase affordable homes in Rockford

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  The competitive housing market has been difficult on many but homebuyers from the Chicagoland area are possibly seeing the worst of it.13 WREX sat down with a local realtor who made the move herself from Elgin to Rockford back in the 90's when she was ready to buy a home for her family.Now most of her clients are trying to do the exact same thing. "A 100,000 dollar home here is the equivalent to a 350,000 home out there," explains Daisy Botti, a local managing realtor. Skyrock...
13 WREX •

BMO Harris Bank Center wraps up phase 2 renovations

ROCKFORD (WREX) — The BMO Harris Bank Center will be ready to unveil its Phase 2 renovations to IceHogs fans in about a month, with only 31 days until their opening night."One of the most exciting seeing go up today as we stand here is our LED screen and soon to be our new video board which is going to be twice the size of the prior board in full high definition we'll bring the arena to life with those elements," says Ryan Snider, Chicago IceHogs President of Operations. Due to the limited time...
13 WREX •

Travel Agent: Plan now for holiday travel as airline prices are soaring

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner its already that time of year again to visit family across the country.Charlie Sturm has been a travel agent for more than 30 years at family-owned Lindstrom Travel saying there is no way to predict future airline pricesYour travel destination will determine when you should start looking, bigger cities should require more anticipation and planning."If its a true destination like an Orlando or Los Angeles or New York I wou...
13 WREX •

Plans For A Belvidere Train Station Take Shape

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Last month we brought you a proposal for a railway line from Rockford to Chicago. Tonight, city and state officials convening to iron out the details of the train station that will make its home in Belvidere. Many Belvidere residents looking forward to a new train line, with business owners also weighing in. The Region 1 Planning council hopes to answer many questions about the project.The topic discussed at length in their first public meeting for feedback was the location of...
13 WREX •

Ski Broncs' Last Show Of The Year

LOVES PARK (WREX) — For more than 50 years the Ski Broncs have been creating memories for the whole family. One young performer tells us her grandpa, brother, and uncle all skied for the organization. "This is my family, I come down here every night and its so much fun."With a packed stand and perfect weather, residents from all across town got to see a spectacular show by the all-volunteer ski team. Event goers got to see aerial stunts, twirling show stoppers, and building pyramids. When I aske...
13 WREX •

Dixon opens new $3 million indoor sports facility

DIXON (WREX) —  Dixon Park District unveiling its 3 million dollar project, an indoor sports facility, the first of its kind in city history.The center features two basketball courts, automated volleyball nets, and batting cages.Residents will also enjoy a community room and an outdoor patio area.Park District Director Duane Long says putting this project together is a major win for the kid, "to give the youth of this community a safe place to go where respect is number one and the parents can b...
13 WREX •

Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd reflects on challenges after a year on the job

ROCKFORD (WREX) —  For the past 20 years Rockford's Police Chief Carla Redd has climbed the ranks of law enforcement.  It was just one year ago that she became Rockford's top cop."Well lets just say I got used to being the only female in the room with men," says Redd on navigating leadership positions in the force.To date she is the only woman in the police force to hold a leadership position, though that will be changing soon when she promotes two female detectives to sergeant at the beginning...
13 WREX •

Local faith group offers free back-to-school haircuts to students in Freeport

FREEPORT (WREX) — The Freeport Ministry Fellowship Alliance held a back to school event at its community barbershop, providing free haircuts for the kids of Freeport.For more than 15 years this faith group has been bringing support to the community's social needs and providing services some may take for granted.In collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club, nearly 100 kids came to the community barbershop to make sure they were ready for school. Ministers Fellowship President Samuel Newton tells...
13 WREX •

New Rockford Hard Casino Could Open August 2024

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Hard Rock Casino executives have revealed that the permanent Hard Rock Casino could open by August of 2024.They are aiming for a soft grand opening around Labor Dat Weekend.Executives are set to meet with the Illinois Gaming Board Thursday June 15th to finalize a potential opening date.Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas shares, "now when the permanent facility is done we expect that reach will grow just because of the amenities that we will be offering, s...
13 WREX •

Rockford native serves as Executive Producer for new action thriller series

ROCKFORD (WREX) - One Rockford native is coming to the small screen as showrunner for a new Netflix action thriller, The Night Agent.Series creator Shawn Ryan sat down with 13 WREX and shared all the joy he experienced working on this project.“My favorite part is working with others to work with great actors, to work with great directors, to work with dedicated talented crew. You have this idea and you write it down on a page but to bring it to life requires the collaboration of so many people a...
13 WREX •

Crimson Ridge Closes its Doors after 27 Years

ROCKFORD (WREX) - The long standing Crimson Ridge, a staple of the Stateline community for more than 27 years is shutting its doors for good this holiday season.Earlier this year in August, Crimson Ridge had announced they would be closing their second floor but would keep the floral shop open.But after a Facebook post Tuesday, the community was heart broken to find out that Crimson Ridge would close down its entire store, including the floral shop. The store will be closed from December 23rd to...
13 WREX •

After 75 years, Rockford Speedway closing

ROCKFORD (WREX) - After 75 years as an iconic Rockford destination, the Rockford Speedway will close its doors for good at the end of the 2023 season on October 29th, 2023.The neighboring banquet and convention hall will also permanently close its doors this summer June 1st, 2023."I’ve been coming here since I was 2 months old and all I ever wanted to do was race here," Race Car Driver, Jake Gille said."I got the opportunity to do that for a long time. It’s been a good time but it’s sad for it t...
13 WREX •

Rockford City Market Returns For Its 15th Season

ROCKFORD - Rockford City Market kicks of this Friday May 17th from 4:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. It will run every Friday all the way to September 27th.Be sure to catch live music, delicious bites, and local vendors at the Rockford City Market pavilion and the surrounding streets near 100 N. Water St.Take a look at this map below of where you can catch all the action. Also be sure to check out the free and convenient parking options located throughout downtown. This year there are 62 vendors with sever...

Crime

13 WREX •

Belvidere City Officials Pass SAFE-T Act Resolution To Repeal Or Amend It

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Belvidere City officials having a committee of the hold meeting to discuss several topics among them a resolution on the safe-t act.We'll start first with the city's decision to not make UTVs, ATVs or golf carts legal for street use.Many residents were in attendance to voice their concerns of having these kinds of vehicles on the streets, citing noise and safety as their biggest worries.City officials also discussed updates to the future Belvidere train station, revealing that...
13 WREX •

Winnebago County State's Attorney challenges 'SAFE-T' act

WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Ill. — Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley announced the filing of a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the "pretrial fairness" provisions of the "SAFE-T" Act.A 33 page complaint made public today, nearly identical to the other lawsuits made in other counties, outlines why the county thinks this law goes against the Illinois State Constitution."...and filed suit on behalf of my office, Sheriff Caruana, and the people of the State of Illinois to challenge the...
13 WREX •

Husband recounts losing wife to weekend gun violence

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A Sunday drive-by shooting on the 700 Block of 7th Street left a 32 year old mother, Trulisa Kyle, dead.13 WREX sat down with the other victim in that shooting, Trulisa's husband, Lee Kyles.The last time Lee saw his wife was when she lost control of the car shortly after being shot. Lee did not see when his wife was shot, he was unaware when or how she had even been hit, only realizing it after she said it. "She said I'm hit and she said I'm dying. The car almost stopped so I j...
13 WREX •

Rockford Pilot Program Brings More License Plate Readers

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Since taking office Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has increased the amount of cameras and license plate readers across town.The latest partnership with another company is bringing more of the technology to the city.Mayor Tom McNamara wants to make sure the residents of Rockford are feeling safer at home with the help of cameras and license plate readers."Most recently we again doubled the number of mobile and stationary license plate readers in our community. And I can tell you t...
13 WREX •

State's Attorney Says No Criminal Charges In Stockton Football Team Incident

STOCKTON (WREX) - After word of an incident involving the Stockton Junior Varsity Football Team during a practice last October of 2022, Jo Daviess State's Attorney announcing Monday that "I do not believe criminal charges are appropriate in this matter." After Stockton Police learned of the incident and investigated the allegations, police and the state's attorneys office agreed to bring on the assistance of the Illinois State Police for further investigation.The results of the investigation rev...

Breaking News

13 WREX •

Police investigate death of teen at Lake Louise

BYRON (WREX) - The Ogle County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a 16 year old boy that happened at Lake Louise Saturday June 3rd. Initial police investigation shows he was playing with an inflatable slide.He was first transported to a Rockford hospital then to a Madison hospital. As police continue their death investigation, they await further information from the Dane County Coroner's Office. The boy's identity has not been released at this time. 13 WREX is following this deve...
13 WREX •

Two vehicle crash in Boone Co. shuts down busy intersection

BOONE COUNTY (WREX) - Boone County Fire Protection District # 2 responded to a two car crash Monday night.Shortly after 6 P.M. fire rescue arrived at the intersection of Poplar Grove Road and Marengo Road.There was one person in each car and they are both expected to be okay.Due to the car damage and nature of the accident, both drivers were extricated from the cars.Neither of the drivers were seriously hurt, only one person was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The Boone Coun...
13 WREX •

Illinois House Passes Assault Weapons Ban, Heads to Senate

Springfield (WREX) - The Illinois House of Representatives pass HB 5855, also  known as the "Protect Illinois Communities Act".The bill makes it illegal to own, sell or make an assault weapons.It would also prohibit the purchase of most individuals under 21 from buying firearms in the state.And it would ban you from owning, selling, or making extended magazines for weapons.After days of continuing negotiations, it passed 64 to 43.Supporters of the assault ban made their voices heard in Springfie...
13 WREX •

District Attorney Says No Charges Against Officer For Shooting Armed Beloit Suspect

JANESVILLE — The Rock County District Attorney, David J. O'Leary, has announced that no charges will be brought against the officer who shot and killed a suspect, Michael Ward, on April 28th.The District attorney's office concludes that Officer Nicholas Rodenbeck was protecting the life of the person who reported the initial incident, who was in "imminent danger" from the suspect. Michael Ward came out of his home carrying two swords about 2 to 3 feet in length when he began pacing in the middle...
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3.4 Magnitude Earthquake Near Somonauk, Illinois

SOMONAUK - At 2:53 A.M. a 3.4 magnitude earthquake, originating about 1.2 miles northwest from the Village of Somonauk, shook communities in south Dekalb county.On their earthquake intensity scale, The United States Geological Survey, gives it a number 4 intensity, characterized by light shaking felt indoors by many and outdoors by few, feeling like a heavy truck striking the side of a building.To learn more details about this earthquake, visit the United States Geological Survey website. This i...
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La Quinta Inn's drive up roof catches fire in Rockford

ROCKFORD - The Rockford Fire Department responded to La Quinta Inn & Suites located on 7401 Walton Street at 1:00 A.M. Friday morning to a fire on the roof of their drive up area. The fire was brought under control and the building was ventilated before everyone was let back in.None of the hotel occupants or firefighters were injured in the incident. Fire officials say the cause of the fire was accidental.Damage to the building is estimated to be around $30,000.

ROCKFORD - The Rockford Fire Dep...
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Court says Christian Soto is fit to stand trial, man accused in deadly Rockford attacks pleads not guilty

ROCKFORD - Thursday morning, Christian Soto, the man accused of killing 4 Rockford residents appeared before a judge to learn the results of his fitness test.According to a report presented in court, a doctor says he is fit to stand trial and the presiding judge Debra Schafer agreed.Christian Soto plead not guilty to all the charges against him, he will appear back in court July 24th. Christian Soto is accused of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Jacob Schupbach, Ramona Schupb...
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Vacant Home With Burning Mattress Prompts Fire Crews To The Area

ROCKFORD - The Rockford Fire Department responded to a vacant 2-story home near the 700 Block of Winnebago Street, just before 5:00 A.M. Upon arriving, light smoke was see coming from the home but with the use of thermal imaging camera they found the heat was concentrated at the front of the home. Fire crews forced down the front door and found a smoldering mattress on the first floor of the home.The fire was quickly put out and crews overhauled the fire to make sure it would not reignite.Accord...
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Police Investigating A Potential Bomb Threat & Active Shooter At NIU Campus

9:10 A.M. Update: According to NIU,  faculty and staff at the College of Business received an anonymous email this morning that there would be an act of violence committed today.The sender wished to have a large police presence in order to garner international news.At this time, school officials say that another university outside of Illinois received the same exact message today, no further connections have been.Classes remain as scheduled today unless a changed has been made by faculty. Dekalb...
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Late night fire at Travel Lodge motel

ROCKFORD, Ill —  A late night Rockford fire burned one room at the Travel Lodge Motel.Right before midnight, the Rockford Fire Department responded to the Travel Lodge Motel on Capital Drive and Frontage Road to a fire on the second floor.Firefighters quickly extinguished the flame and contained it to the one room where the fire started.Luckily none of the motel residents were injured during the incident.The fire remains under investigation and the cause remains unknown.The estimated loss of dam...
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Central Illinois rocked by 3.6 magnitude earthquake

(ILLINOIS) - Some residents near Standard Illinois might've awoken to a minor earthquake early this morning. The United States Geological Survey reports a minor, 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at 4:42 a.m. Wednesday with an epicenter in Standard, Illinois.According to USGS, the earthquake registered a four out of ten, in the Modified Mercalli (MM) Intensity Scale, characterized by light shaking. With this kind of intensity people could feel the impact indoors and its possible dishes, windows,...
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DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District

Your 13 Election Authority is keeping track of the key races on ballots across northern Illinois at the federal, state, and local levels.One of the most hotly contested races this year is one on the national stage: the race for Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Voters will decide between incumbent Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen and Republican challenger and former judge Joe McGraw.13 News Today's Manny Estopinan held interviews with both candidates to discuss key issues on the minds of voter...
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DECISION 2024: The race for Illinois' 11th Congressional District

As the countdown to Election Day continues, Your 13 Election Authority is helping you stay as informed as you can be before casting your vote.A top national headline this election is control of the U.S. House, in addition to the Senate and, of course, the Presidency. While Illinois does not have a Senate seat up for election this year, all 17 U.S. House districts are up for grabs.In the Stateline, the most hotly contested race is in the 17th District, between incumbent Eric Sorensen and challeng...
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Race for Freeport’s next mayor: Joshua Atkinson looks to bring a fresh start to City Hall

Joshua Atkinson is running for Mayor of Freeport, under the Democratic Party, trying to unseat 2-term incumbent Mayor Jodi Miller.Joshua and his partner moved to Freeport about four years ago from the O’Hare area, looking for a smaller tight knit community, he fell in love with the area and it’s future potential.In the past year, Atkinson became more involved with city politics, frequently attending city council meetings. He felt the city needed better leadership saying, “I [saw] things that tro...
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Stateline Latino physicians highlight underrepresentation in the workforce

ROCKFORD (WREX) - As we continue our Hispanic heritage month coverage, today we look ahead to National Latino Physician Day.Sunday October 1st will be a day to shine a spotlight on the low representation of Latino doctors across the nation.Right now Latinos make up 19 percent of the U.S population but only 6 percent of all doctors in the country are Latino.The movement enters its second year, as doctors nationwide try to bring awareness to this issue at hand.We sat down with one local ambassador...
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Celebrating Hispanic Cutlure: The Taste Of Puerto Rico

LOVES PARK - Throughout our Hispanic Heritage Month coverage we've brought you the tastes of Latin America, that you can catch right here in the Stateline.We've brought you the cuisines of Mexico, Peru, and Colombia but today we travel to the Caribbean islands, specifically to a place known to the locals as “La Isla Del Encanto”,The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico.Puerto Rican cuisine on the island draws inspiration from West Africa and Spain and it includes staples like rice, beans and plant...
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Husband recounts losing wife to weekend gun violence

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A Sunday drive-by shooting on the 700 Block of 7th Street left a 32 year old mother, Trulisa Kyle, dead.13 WREX sat down with the other victim in that shooting, Trulisa's husband, Lee Kyles.The last time Lee saw his wife was when she lost control of the car shortly after being shot. Lee did not see when his wife was shot, he was unaware when or how she had even been hit, only realizing it after she said it. "She said I'm hit and she said I'm dying. The car almost stopped so I j...
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Celebrating Community Leaders Amplifying Hispanic Voices: Ricardo Montoya Picazo

ROCKFORD (WREX) This month as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the leaders in our very own community, who go the distance to amplify Hispanic voices that are too often silenced or even ignored.Today we shine the spotlight on Ricardo Montoya Picazo, he sits on numerous city and county boards, constantly bringing Hispanic voices to every table that he gets a seat at.Ricardo’s story starts on the Mexican border when he illegally crossed as a 7 year old child, given discreet instru...
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Inspiring 815: Rockford Teen Uses Poetry To Bridge Gap In Health Literacy

ROCKFORD (WREX) - One Rockord native is using her voice and the art of poetry to inspire the community to be more accepting of one another despite different backgrounds and despite what we may sound like.“We can be a little overshadowed sometimes but often times the most overshadowed people that have the best stories to tell,” jokingly shares Giulyana Gamero.Giulyana Gamero has been telling stories for as long she can remember falling in love with poetry back in the 7th grade class, where she le...
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Narcan vending machines come to Winnebago County

ROCKFORD (WREX) — The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and Health Department have unveiled two Narcan vending machines, hoping this initiative curbs opioid overdose deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020 saw a significant 68,000 increase in opioid overdose deaths.In Winnebago County, data shows that there were 130 reported opioid deaths in 2019, 157 in 2020, and 147 last year. Officials at Rosecrance, an addiction and mental health center, tell 13 WREX that the pandemic...
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Worker's Rights on the Illinois Ballot

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Election day is less than a month away and there's a ballot initiative that's aiming to make changes to the state constitution to protect the rights of workers to unionize.Come election day, Illinoisans will have a chance to vote on the future of unions.Illinois's labor movement can be traced back to the 1860s when miners tried to secure safe working conditions to be a constitutional right but received pushback.Dr. Rosemary Feurer a NIU history professor explains, "It wasn't un...
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Psychiatrist Shortage Troubles The Stateline

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  For years, many have warned of the nation's rising concern of a doctor shortage.Dr. Thomas Wright, Chief Medical Officer for Rosecrance, broke down the rising need for mental health services in the Stateline, worsening since the pandemic. "We've seen a shortage in psychiatrist really for decades now. Half the counties in the united states don't even have one psychiatrist," says Dr. Wright. You heard that right, the psychiatrist shortage is so bad that, according to the Associa...
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Inspiring 815: Advocating For Adults With Developmental Disabilities

OREGON (WREX) - When we reached out to this weeks Inspiring 815, he insisted he was no inspiration, but the people he works with had so much to say about him.On any given week you can find Steve James volunteering at the Village of Progress, a place for those often overlooked by society, a safe haven for adults with developmental disabilities."They're so full of energy and happiness and smiling and happy to see you and grateful for any little thing you do for them. I just like being with the fol...
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Inspiring 815: From Auburn High School Valedictorian to Jeopardy Champion

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This week’s inspiring 815, Lloyd Sy, grabbed the Stateline's attention when he became a Jeopardy champion.This Auburn High School alumnus recounts his journey to becoming the grand champion.“I 100 % did not expect to win, again I was just trying to be happy, just trying to appreciate the moment, take in the fact I was literally on the Jeopardy stage in front of a national audience,” explains Lloyd when he beat out 13-time champion Ray LaLonde.Lloyd's journey to the Jeopardy sta...
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Inspiring 815: Granting Wishes for Young Adults with Cancer

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This weeks Inspiring 815 took a difficult moment in her life, full of despair and pain, and turned it into a mission that has spread joy across the Stateline and the nation to young adults battling cancer."You can imagine being 17 years old and getting the news you have cancer, to be outside playing basketball one day and for doctors to tell you have a 20% chance of living the next, it is just absolutely mind blowing,” explains Kelli Ritschel, founder of the Nikolas Ritschel Fo...
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Inspiring 815: Freeport Teacher Instills Hope

FREEPORT (WREX) - To many he goes by Mr. C! This week’s Inspiring 815 is a special education teacher from Jones-Farrar out of the Freeport School District and just recently he won the Illinois’ Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.Despite adversity in his own life, this teacher instills hope to make sure his own students overcome their own challenges.“I was actually a product of trauma from poverty,” said Eugene very bluntly when he spoke about his impoverished childhood.Eugene Calignacion gre...
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Inspiring 815: A long recovery from traumatic brain injury

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Simply put a traumatic brain injury is an injury that affects how your brain works.According to the CDC, 2019 saw there were over 200,000 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries.This weeks Inspiring 815 brings us close to one person's injury and their tough journey to recovery.May 17, 2017 started out like any ordinary day at work for Brian Dixon.“Middle of an overhead weld and I hear Brian look out and that's when everything changed,” describes Brian of that haunt...
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Inspiring 815: Leading A Center For Those Who Honorably Served Our Country

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This weeks Inspiring 815. Eric Willard, serves as the Executive Director for the Veteran's Drop-In Center but it was full circle on how he got there.After decades of not being involved with veteran affairs, he attended an event where he met another veteran that served in his same infantry division.That veteran advised him to see a counselor, where there Eric would later be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. It led him to receive a monthly government pension he...
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Celebrating Hispanic Cuisine: The Tastes of Peru

ROCKFORD (WREX) - As we celebrate Hispanic culture this month we're bringing you the tastes of Latin America that you can find right here in the Stateline.Last week we took you to the coast of Mexico, today we travel to the South American country of Peru.It’s a place popularly known for the ruins left by the Inca Empire hundreds of years ago but Peru has so much more to offer.Its cuisine is influenced from its indigenous and immigrant population with common staples like corn, potatoes, and seafo...
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Local foundation advocates for suicide prevention

LOVES PARK (WREX) — September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a tragedy that continues to plague many Americans.Eight years ago Xavier Whitford lost her son to suicide.She turned her grief into the Tommy Coral Memorial Foundation(TCMF) an outreach and education program supporting many dealing with suicide.The foundation provides referrals for mental health services, financial support for counseling, and workshops and retreats that engage the community. Her message to parents: Don't bru...
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New Rockford Hard Casino Could Open August 2024

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Hard Rock Casino executives have revealed that the permanent Hard Rock Casino could open by August of 2024.They are aiming for a soft grand opening around Labor Dat Weekend.Executives are set to meet with the Illinois Gaming Board Thursday June 15th to finalize a potential opening date.Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas shares, "now when the permanent facility is done we expect that reach will grow just because of the amenities that we will be offering, s...
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Inspiring 815: Life Decisions helps restore Rockford youth

ROCKFORD (WREX) - This week's inspiring 815 is a relatively new organization just getting its footing back in 2021 but the impacts they have on our community's youth are just invaluable.You may not notice as you drive by but a quiet home tucked away off East State Street is building what they call a tribe of mentors.Life Decisions aims to help the Stateline's undervalued and overlooked kids ages 15 to 23.“Its magical to me, they can take any youth and literally transform them. I've seen, other t...
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Local faith group offers free back-to-school haircuts to students in Freeport

FREEPORT (WREX) — The Freeport Ministry Fellowship Alliance held a back to school event at its community barbershop, providing free haircuts for the kids of Freeport.For more than 15 years this faith group has been bringing support to the community's social needs and providing services some may take for granted.In collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club, nearly 100 kids came to the community barbershop to make sure they were ready for school. Ministers Fellowship President Samuel Newton tells...
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Inspiring 815: Carpenter's Place Provides a Safe House for the Homeless Population

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Many organizations across the Stateline provide the help needed for those who are homeless.One organization is helping them find peace with God, themselves, and their communityAt first glance, you'd think that the Carpenter’s Place was an art studio, with the beautiful art work adorning every wall, with art installations hanging from the roof.But these works of art were made by one of Rockford's most vulnerable people, the homeless population.“This day shelter is a place where...
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New I-90 travel center coming to Belvidere

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Interstate-90 commuters will soon have a new place to stop and grab a bite.After two long years the plans to build a Belvidere travel center on a 43 acre plot of east of Tripp Road, has finally become a reality.The rest area will include a gas station and a 12,000 square foot convenience store with a Smoothie King, Wingstop, and a Jimmy Johns.The center will also cater to truckers with 63 parking spaces and showers.And a midsize hotel with about 80 to 100 rooms hopes to attrac...
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