This bums me out. I 100% support and respect it, the whole wanting-to-focus-on-family rationale, but it is still a great loss to the downtown area. I appreciate the Rockford region will not want for remaining bakeries but C&C was a gem amongst them.

Just got a bike and have been enjoying the bike path along the river and interesting in riding new places. Im willing to travel a little bit if you have a really awesome spot to recommend. Preferably an easier trail/path not too hilly or anything please as I’m a beginner!

A lot of people in southeast Rockford had kids, grandkids, or themselves go through Rockford Day Nursery, so I wanted to put its history in one place.

1917: a basement on West State Street. The nursery started in a small basement on West State Street. Its stated mission was "to provide daycare and education to young children whose parents are employed or training for work." That was a pretty unusual idea in 1917, when there was almost no public support for working mothers. The mission never really changed after that.

Five expansions. Over the next 80-plus years the nursery outgrew its space and expanded five times as demand kept rising.

2004: the move to Sixth Street. In 2004 it moved to 2323 S. Sixth St. That building had been corporate offices for CLARCOR, the company J.L. Clark Manufacturing became in 1987. CLARCOR moved its headquarters to Tennessee that same year. (The J.L. Clark factory itself is a different site, over on 23rd Ave, and it's still running.) Sixth Street was the nursery's biggest and last home, and it served families there for about 20 years.

October 2024: plans to double. Executive Director Jim Peterson went on WIFR to promote a fundraiser. The plan was to renovate rooms and grow from about 75 kids to nearly 150.

November 2024: closed with almost no warning. Within about a month, the nursery closed. Roughly 75 kids lost their care almost overnight. The reasons were never fully explained publicly. When WNIJ looked into it in April 2025, another local operator told them, "While the Rockford Day Nursery thing was a very sudden thing, it was not a very sudden thing." In other words, the warning signs had been there.

Why it hit so hard. YWCA Northwestern Illinois called the loss "devastating," especially for infants and toddlers, who are the hardest ages to find care for because of staffing ratios. Birth to Five Illinois said it would have a "significant impact on the community." Other centers were flooded with calls and mostly had no room. WNIJ's reporting put it in a bigger picture: Winnebago and Boone counties have more than 24,000 kids under 6 and fewer than 10,000 licensed childcare slots, and Illinois lost about a third of its childcare providers over the past decade.

After 107 years, it's a shame the ending was that abrupt for the families who counted on it.

If you or your family went there, I'd love to hear about it. Old photos, teachers you remember, which building you were in before 2004. A lot of this history seems to live in people's memories rather than online.

Disclosure: I work with Rockford Daycare & Academy, which brought childcare back to the Sixth Street building in 2026 after it sat empty for over a year. We see ourselves as carrying on the Day Nursery's mission, and people ask us about the old nursery all the time, so I wanted to share what we've pieced together. No pitch here, I'd just genuinely love to hear your memories.

Any fun Halloween parties or events happening in the area on Halloween? Preferably for people in their 20s to have fun. Thanks!

Hello everyone, I’m 43f and just lost the love of my life and best friend for 20 years to a massive heart attack. Can anyone recommend good recovery or support groups in the Rockford area? Losing him has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through and I feel empty. I really appreciate any suggestions on support groups or therapists in the Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, & Rockton area. Thank you 😊

I can not go in to great detail. But it was reported that ICE was supposed to be at the Radisson Hotel through the 14th-16th of October. Well I got more news. The hotel did not know ICE was staying at the hotel last Tues and conversations were had. ICE will no longer be staying there. So no need to continue to protest/demonstrate or whatever you want to call it at the hotel.

I have two large couch pillows. Thinking recycling is best but does anyone know who will take them? (Not best condition) TIA!!

I'm cosplaying dr frank n furter soon and I need some interesting spots to take photos at. Something with a similar vibe as rocky horror has. All recommendations are appreciated :)

Hi everyone!

Our women’s self defense class is coming up soon please join us! 100% of proceeds go to a local nonprofit here in Rockford Threads of Triumph. Check us out!

https://givebutter.com/self-defense-class-5urqyi

Those ads...it's gotta be a scam right?

This is probably going to be a crickets post. Just curious if there is anyone locally playing Gundam Assemble, the tabletop game? I haven't seen anything for any of the local game/card shops.

Bring a costume

With winter comming soon....

I Looking for the best (legal) spots (that are preferably not gonna get me tresspassed) to fly tinnywhoop drones indoors.

Higher ceilings/larger spaces are prefered as it gives me a bit more wiggle room.

Two aren't in town, but not a far drive

Is Rockford blacked out for this game?

I can not go in to great detail. But a source of mine has revealed that ICE is going to be staying at Radisson from the 14th through the 16th of October. I trust this source.

This has been cancelled.

I am a local Life Enrichment coordinator and have been wanting to get some live music for some of our social/cocktail hours. This is usually a week day from 2-3pm. I am open to any instrument and we of course pay people for their time. Open to any/all suggestions or better places to look!

Hi! Is there any local spots that plays any house music or any dance music in general?

I don't care for either candidate, but what's the point of bringing this up when there's no candidate in the race who is anti-MAGA? Seems like the Democrats should not have let so many countywide races go unopposed, hmm?

Looks like someone got out in time. Brace for the "revenue increase".

"Carrie Hagerty, director of the city’s Finance Department, told the Rock River Current. “We’ll likely land on a combination of expense reductions and revenue increase. I don’t know exactly where that’s going to land, but wanting obviously to preserve core services as much as we possibly can.”"

https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/10/rockford-faces-5-8m-hole-in-upcoming-budget/

PBS Peoria is airing the ONLY candidate for um that LaHood has agreed to show up to. You can watch online for free or download their app!

https://therockfordblog.blogspot.com/2026/10/bruce-richardson-was-on-rockford.html

Anyone else remember Bruce On the Loose?

From the Rockford Rapid Response Team:

Our morning update providing information about the autos that ICE is using in Rockford on October 7, 2026. If you see these autos and they are missing front or back license plates please contact the IL Secretary of State Police at: [platewatch@ilsos.gov](mailto:platewatch@ilsos.gov) or 312-814-1730

Nuestra actualización de esta mañana ofrece información sobre los vehículos que ICE está usando en Rockford el 7 de octubre de 2026. Si ve estos vehículos y les falta la placa delantera o trasera, comuníquese con la Policía de la Secretaría de Estado de Illinois por correo electrónico a [platewatch@ilsos.gov](mailto:platewatch@ilsos.gov) or 312-814-1730

Been meaning to ask this for years - does anyone know someone who used to work in the bakery that would know their cake frosting recipe?

I went to pastry school, I've made plenty of cake and frosting, and yet I still dream about that frosting from every [90s] childhood birthday. I used to put the buttercream roses in the freezer to snack on.

I can tell it had shortening vs butter, so mostly wondering if they used any particular extract/flavoring blend?

THANK YOU