the March 2023 | Volume 36 | No. 3
THE POWER OF A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
REFLECTIONS ON ARCHITECTURE
PAGE 4
PAGE 9
of the rockford business community GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $2.6 MILLION FOR AVIATION MECHANIC PIPELINE IN ROCKFORD
Rockford landmarks – reclaiming history By Andrew Wright, Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Landmarks tell the story of a city. The skyscrapers along the lakefront in Chicago, the industrial core of Milwaukee, the capitol building on the isthmus in Madison—these landmarks represent the identity of their cities and
are a great source of pride for the people who live and work in them.
converted in 1988 to offer a public atrium
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce has the privilege to work in downtown Rockford in a building named Stewart Square, on the corner of State Street and Main Street. Now the home of professional
services
offices,
Built in 1890, Stewart Square was
DLaJe’
Beauty flower shop, Ripe Life Juice Company, a tasty taco restaurant and a welcoming barber shop, Stewart Square once housed retail stores like D. J. Stewart Dry Goods and JCPenney®.
space with a food court and three stories of office space above it. It’s one of the buildings that native Rockfordians know by name, without needing to put the address in GPS. Bob Goldbeck, commercial property manager
for
Fridh
Corporation,
takes pride in developing and leasing professional spaces in local landmarks like Stewart Square: “Rockford has a lot (continued on page 6)
Chamber endorses candidates for RPS 205 Board Pearson, Bennett and Haley backed by business community
THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY
Join the Chamber on Social Media
The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com
After hearing presentations and reviewing completed questionnaires from RPS 205 School Board candidates, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce voted to endorse the following candidates: Denise Pearson (Subdistrict A), Nicole Bennett (Subdistrict D), and Kimberly Haley (Subdistrict F). The Rockford Chamber supports candidates that reflect our fervently held belief that a viable, healthy community requires a healthy and vibrant business community. The largest educating body in our community, Rockford Public Schools-District 205, is an important part of the equation for a healthy and vibrant business community as they educate today’s youth and tomorrow’s workforce. “With over 27,000 students and 4,000 employees, the Rockford Public School
District impacts our community on a multitude of levels. A community with a robust and thriving school system attracts talent, increases home values and drives economic development with a guarantee for future workforce,” said Jean Crosby, chair of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “The Rockford Chamber is committed to working with those elected to the Rockford School Board to ensure a connection to and support from the business community. The candidates endorsed by the Rockford Chamber are candidates that will help strengthen that bond, hold the District accountable and keep it moving forward in its mission to be a first choice for all families.” The Rockford Chamber of Commerce (continued on page 3)
Governor JB Pritzker announced a $2.6 million grant to AAR Corp. and The Workforce Connection (TWC) to support and expand AAR’s apprenticeships, pipeline development and workforce training. “This grant will assist our region in meeting workforce needs in the growing aviation industry and provide highwage technical jobs to our region,” said Dr. Gina Caronna, executive director of TWC. This grant award is the result of local and state collaboration by Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, AAR Corp., the City of Rockford, The Workforce Connection, Inc., Rock Valley College and state and local government officials. “When we invest in Rockford’s airport and the programs it boasts, we invest in Rockford’s people — advancing opportunity for every Northern Illinoisan,” said Governor Pritzker. “Illinois is already a transportation powerhouse, and by working closely with our state’s powerhouse aviation companies, we are laying the groundwork to keep our communities connected and competitive for years to come.”
AFFORDABLE DAY CARE WITHIN REACH The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services and administered within Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties by YWCA Child Care Solutions. The CCAP program helps eligible families who work or go to school pay for childcare. Parents/guardians must complete an application and supply verification of employment and/or education activity. Those who previously applied and were not eligible are encouraged to reapply as income guidelines have recently changed. Learn more at www.dhs.state.is.us.