Latest news with #TomMcNamara
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal budget cuts threaten essential programs in Rockford, mayor says
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara emphasized concerns regarding how federal budget cuts will affect the city at Monday's 'State of the City' address. The annual address was given in City Council chambers, where McNamara said, 'Federal funding pauses, shifts in priorities, and changes in grant programs will not only impact our local government, but it will impact our nonprofits, our businesses, and many, many residents who rely on those funds.' 'So let me be clear. If the federal government does cut programs such as Headstart, LIHEAP and housing programs, the city simply cannot cover. The costs in our community will suffer. our residents, Rockfordians will suffer,' he added. McNamara said the city continues to see growth in several areas, including population, housing, and property values. 'Property values have grown by more than 50%, and they are at our city's highest point in our history. And at the same time, property values are up. Our property tax rate is the lowest it's been since 1984. We are actually we are the only major taxing body in Winnebago County that has actually reduced its property tax levy over the last ten years. Heck, even the is taking note of our work,' said McNamara. Violent crime is , he said. 'Violent crime is down. And, 're making tremendous progress in our juvenile crime. In just the last two years, we've reduced the number of juveniles being arrested by 21%,' McNamara said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara's little-known authority: Officiating weddings
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Most Rockford residents know Mayor Tom McNamara as the city's top elected official who oversees how things operate at City Hall and on City Council. They may not be aware of his lesser-known authority to officiate weddings, a power granted under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. 'I've had people joke like, 'Oh, I bet you wish you could marry people,'' McNamara said with a laugh. 'I'm like, 'Actually, I can.'' The mayor has officiated ceremonies for two local couples during his eight-year tenure. He says it's a rewarding break from his usual responsibilities. 'It's really neat,' he said. 'You get to meet with individuals and hear their story about how they connected, how they met, how their relationship matured.' Both couples McNamara married are still going strong, he added. 'One just had a baby,' he said. 'So, it's very exciting.' McNamara's authority to perform weddings extends beyond Rockford, allowing him to officiate ceremonies anywhere in Illinois. One of the weddings he officiated took place in the couple's Rockford backyard. The other was at the Tebala Event Center in Cherry Valley. Many residents are surprised to learn of the mayor's matrimonial powers. 'You see him as the mayor, in city government,' said Francis Downey, of Rockford. 'But apparently everyone's got a lot of secret skills. And that's one that he's got. He can perform marriages. Pretty cool.' Elaine Simon, who has been dating her boyfriend for 1 1/2 years, said she's intrigued to know that the mayor is not just a mayor. She said if her relationship progresses toward the alter, a Tom McNamara-led ceremony could be a possibility. 'I would definitely be interested in learning more, maybe go to a wedding where he performs it and see how it goes,' Simon said. Isaac Rukin, 19, isn't married yet either but is equally enthusiastic. 'I think that's a great idea,' he said. I never thought about having a mayor officiate my wedding. But now that it's a possibility, I am considering it.' For McNamara, the opportunity to unite couples in marriage is a privilege. 'It's really an honor,' he said. There is no fee for Mayor McNamara to officiate a wedding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockford proclaims ‘Summit on Racism Day,' advocates meet to find common ground
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, May 8th, as a 'Summit on Racism, Embracing Difference for a Change Day.' Leaders and community advocates gathered for the 2025 Summit on Racism at the UW Sports Factory, at 305 S. Madison Street. Organizers said the goal of the summit was to get the opinion of residents about how the city can become'a more inclusive and equitable community.' Rock Valley College president Dr. Howard Spearman talked about a new RVC campus coming to the West side, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) spoke about fighting food insecurity, including plans for a mobile grocery store. 'Just by uniting together for the cause, and coming together just to answer questions and see what we can do to make this world a better place for you and I,' said George Scott, the president of the Rockford Branch of the NAACP. 'We just want everybody to be treated equal. Concentration is obviously on the West side, because they don't have a lot of things that the East side has. But today's topics are about the whole city of Rockford and making improvements.' Leaders said that by the end of the summit, they expect to have both short- and long-term goals on how to unite the city. 'We see there's a lot going on in the world right now. We see there's a lot of divisive thought, and we're trying to really combat that. Make sure people know here in town that they are welcome. That this is a place where you belong. Where you can contribute. Where you can work together,' said Shelton Kay, executive director of the Rockford Regional Health Council. 'So much of Rockford is West Side versus East Side, when it should just be one community. We should see that there's a value to living anywhere in this town, because there really is,' he continued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rockford United Labor honors Workers' Memorial Day, urges safer workplaces
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Union members and advocates gathered in Rockford for Workers' Memorial Day to remember those who died on the job over the past year. The event was organized by Rockford United Labor, who represent over 25,000 workers in the area. Mayor Tom McNamara, Rep. Maurice West (D), and Sen. Steve Stadelman (D) also spoke at the event. Advocates expressed the need for more training and apprenticeships for workers, while others shared concerns about federal budget cuts and layoffs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not been cut, but advocates say it could experience ripple effects from the closure of other agencies. Paul Nolley, the executive director of Project First Rate, said, 'Protections for workers on the job, whether it's construction or other industries, need to continue to be strengthened. And what we see, unfortunately, at this point in time, is they're actually trying to roll back those protections. So we're kind of working backwards instead of making progress on the issue.' Workers' Memorial Day is held on April 28th every year to commemorate the 1917 founding of OSHA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rockford businesses join forces to clean up Midtown on Earth Day
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Around the world, people are giving Mother Nature a little extra care in celebration of Earth Day, the annual event that encourages support for environmental action. A few Rockford businesses took part in cleaning up Midtown, an effort that began with Ernie's Midtown Pub. 'Midtown's really important to us. It's a pretty criminally underserved area of the city,' said Adam Barnett. 'We wanted to be involved in some sort of a community clean up.' Ernie's Pub reached out to Mayor Tom McNamara for help. 'So, Public Works said 'yes, we're going to make sure we supply all the cleanup supplies,'' said Barb Chidley, Rockford's Neighborhood Specialist. 'And, we try to identify some of the areas that needed the most assistance. We're just so happy that you're doing this, that any little bit helps.' Dozens of volunteers, including from other Midtown businesses, helped pick up trash around the area. 'It is so critical that we have people who are willing to help beautify the city. The more love that we can show to our neighborhoods in our areas of the city, the better it is for all of us who live and work and play in Rockford,' Rich Wolter, of the Bucciferro Family McDonald's, said. Organizers said they hope the event can show the power of community, not just on Earth Day, but every day. 'It's not just people in the neighborhood and we have people traveling from other different parts of Rockford to come over here and help out. At the same time, we're encouraging them to take this to other parts of town, to their own neighborhoods. And it's something that anybody can do. Anybody can organize. It's great the city is helping, but this could also just be a completely volunteer thing in your part of town or any other part of town,' Barnett said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
