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WINNEBAGO WRAP-UP
MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER
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NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the National Conference of Regions in Washington, D.C. for councils of government, metropolitan planning organizations, and other regional organizations, and their local elected leaders and professional staff.
As the elected regional representative for the National Association of Regional Councils Board of Directors, I have the responsibility of advocating for District VI, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The National Conference of Regions is an annual forum to discuss key policy issues and determine a legislative agenda for the year ahead, targeting topics central to our members and their local elected officials. The conference draws a national audience consisting of elected city, county, and state officials, diverse professionals, academics, and private sector representatives.
While there, I had the advantage of hearing from White House staff as it relates to transportation, clean energy, and infrastructure, as well as meeting with members of the U.S. Congress to discuss policy and how our federal legislators may be able to assist with these improvements for us back home in Winnebago County. I look forward to continuing this work in the months ahead moving into the Spring season and report back on our progress when I attend the Regional Council's annual conference this summer!
Sincerely,
Joseph V. Chiarelli
Winnebago County Board Chairman
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K-9 Comfort During Tragedy | Members of the 17th Circuit Therapy Dog Program were on hand at the visitation for Rockford Police Department K-9 Nyx last month at City First Church. Volunteers and therapy dogs were able to provide comfort to those in attendance, visiting with the officers and the public, as well as paying respects to the fallen K-9 officer. Officer Nyx was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, January 28, 2024 while responding to a police call with her handler Officer Jon Vargas. First joining the Rockford Police Department in 2018, K-9 Officer Nyx was the first female officer in the city’s history. K-9 Nyx paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community and her memory will never be forgotten! | |
Officer of the Year Awards | |
Please join us in congratulating several members of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office who were recently honored during the 2023 VFW Post 9759 in Loves Park for the "Officer of the Year" Awards Dinner in February. Deputy William Eichholtz, Deputy Xavier Rincon (Machesney Park Division) and Corrections Officer Jacob Dailing were awarded for their hard work, dedication and lifesaving efforts. Sheriff Gary Caruana, Chairman Joe Chiarelli, and Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson along with several other County officials were able to congratulate them and celebrate their accomplishment. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office is proud of all the men and women within the Sheriff's Office that go above and beyond each day to help make Winnebago County a safe community!
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Domestic Violence Podcast | The 17th Judicial Circuit Court announces the return of its podcast! "Learning with Laura Youngblut" examines the juvenile court system and its intersection with family violence in Winnebago County. Season 2 was a project of the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council and was supported through funding from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. It also features members of the judiciary, the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office, Winnebago County CASA, Carrie Lynn Children's Center, MERIT, juvenile probation, and more. Thank you to all the FVCC partners that helped make this resource a reality! The podcast can be accessed on BuzzSprout, and is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. | |
Rescuing Regional Wildlife | Chairman Chiarelli was able to meet with members of the newly formed Rockford Regional Wildlife Coalition in support of their efforts in Winnebago County and across the region! The $1,000 donation will go toward their inaugural event at Midway Village on Saturday, April 6, 2024. RRWC is a non-for-profit coalition operated solely by volunteers consisting of licensed rehabilitators all focusing on conservation, public education and wildlife rehabilitation in the Rockford community. Thank you for your commitment to the welfare of wildlife and for letting us meet some of the critters! | |
Valentines Cards for Seniors | This Valentine's Day, Chairman Joe Chiarelli and State Senator Dave Syverson once again teamed up for the annual Valentines for Seniors Cards Drive, encouraging the community to feel the love and create cards for those living in assisted living and long-term care facilities. With the help of many students, churches, businesses and families, we were able to deliver almost 2,500 cards to our community’s seniors this past Valentine’s Day! A special thank you to all the participating schools, including this class at Lathrop Elementary, for your loving handmade creations. These were certainly a blessing to the seniors in our area this year! | |
Early Voting Offsite Location | To assist in serving voters for the upcoming March 19, 2024 General Primary Election, the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office announces an additional in-person voting location now open in Loves Park! For Winnebago County residents residing outside of City of Rockford limits, early in-person voting is now available at the Harlem-Alpine Shopping Center, 1965 Harlem Road, Loves Park, Illinois, 61111. A special thank you to First Midwest Group for generously donating this space to us for early voting purposes. Voting dates and hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday, March 8. Beginning Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15, the site will be open until 7 p.m. To view races, candidates, additional voting dates & hours, and other election information, please visit clerk.wincoil.gov. | | |
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River Bluff Nursing & CNA Job Fair
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | 4401 N. Main Street - Rockford, IL
Join us at River Bluff Health & Rehabilitation for an upcoming Nursing & CNA Job Fair to learn about available job openings and positions at our facility. The event runs all day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch will be provided as well as a free tote bag for everyone who completes an application and on-site interview. River Bluff proudly provides a continuum of skilled nursing services including short-term rehabilitation stays, long-term intermediate care, and palliative and hospice care. Stop by to learn about the requirements, salary and benefits information and available nursing career opportunities at River Bluff! Questions? Contact Laura Doise at info@riverbluffhealth.com or (815) 921-9278.
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Winnebago County K-9 Unit Fundraiser
Sunday, March 17, 2024 | 5318 N. 2nd Street - Loves Park, IL
On behalf of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, the community is invited to attend the K-9 Unit 'Moonlight Bowling' Fundraiser at Park Lanes on St. Patrick's Day. If you're feeling lucky, you can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, as all proceeds benefit the Winnebago County K-9 Program. K-9's Gunner, Zorro, Quattro, Cisco, Odin and their handlers are inviting you to join the fun starting at 1 p.m. for an afternoon of "Scotch Doubles Bowling" for a good cause. Wear your green & bring your green to support the Winnebago County K-9 Unit!
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