Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford to fill budget gap with reserve funds

Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford to fill budget gap with reserve funds

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Rockford officials are planning to spend reserve funds to close a $9.4 million revenue shortfall.

The Rockford Register Star reports that the city got $6 million less than expected in revenue from its annual share of state taxes on corporations and about $6 million less than expected in ambulance fees.

The Rockford city council approved a supplemental appropriation ordinance on Monday to allow for the use of city reserves.

EX-AIRMAN SENTENCED ON CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL CHARGES

A federal judge has sentenced a former senior airman stationed at Scott Air Force Base to 25 years in prison after he admitted to sexually exploiting minors and distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

Michael E. McCay, 33, pleaded guilty in January. Law enforcement identified at least two victims, a 12-year-old and an 11-year-old, that McCay was sexually exploiting through online applications, including Roblox, Kik, Snapchat and Likee.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN EVERGREEN PARK TO CLOSE

Another Chicago-area Catholic school is closing. Queen of Martyrs in Evergreen Park made the announcement on Monday, citing a larger-than-projected drop in enrollment for next school year.

The Archdiocese of Chicago announced six school closures earlier this year. Illinois has not opted into a federal tax credit scholarship program for students in public, private or homeschool settings.

MAYOR: CHICAGO LIFE EXPECTANCY HITS ALL-TIME HIGH

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Tuesday that life expectancy in the city has reached an all-time high of 79.5 years.

A statement from the mayor’s office said opioid overdose deaths decreased by 386 deaths in 2024 compared to 2023, accounting for one-third of the overall increase in life expectancy citywide.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump says U.S. in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels in Caribbean

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump told Congress that the U.S. is engaged in "armed conflict" with drug cartels in the Caribbean shortly after ordering four military strikes...
Policy experts unimpressed with SBA’s ‘record’ capital delivered to small businesses

Policy experts unimpressed with SBA’s ‘record’ capital delivered to small businesses

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Small Business Administration announced it will close Fiscal Year 2025 with record-breaking capital delivered to small businesses, but policy experts are unimpressed by the...
City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago taxpayers now face unfunded debt from its municipal, laborers, police, fire and teachers’ pensions that...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees for August 2025

Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | August 2025 The Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees made significant financial decisions during its regular meeting on...
Poll: Voters like candidates supporting war on Alzheimer's

Poll: Voters like candidates supporting war on Alzheimer’s

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Republican congressional candidates are more likely to win competitive districts if they support the war on Alzheimer’s, according to a new poll in California, Arizona,...
U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments

U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. LNG exports hit a record high in September at 9.4 million metric tons, up from a previous record 9.3 million metric tons in August,...
Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of conservative and free-market groups is urging federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, saying the deal...
Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After an ominous warning from President Donald Trump, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release the remaining Israeli hostages; however, they have yet to agree to...
Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new study reveals strong bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment, yet only 16 states have strong laws enabling it. The report by Reason Foundation,...

WATCH: U.S. military strikes another suspected drug boat, killing four

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the U.S. military destroyed a fourth suspected drug boat on Friday carrying enough drugs to kill tens of thousands of Americans....
'End the political idiocy': Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

‘End the political idiocy’: Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown will span at least five days as U.S. senators depart for the weekend after voting down both short-term funding options for...
Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

By Bethany Blankley reporterThe Center Square The Des Moines Public School Board hired a Guyanan national who had been living in the U.S. illegally for years and has an extensive...
Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A pro-life organization called the FDA’s approval of the generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone “unconscionable,” stating that abortion is the leading cause of...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate. A...