Domestic violence cases - once 'a huge blind spot' - now show high conviction rates in Winnebago County
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — In its first full year of tracking data, the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office shows more than three-quarters of the felony domestic violence cases it handles have ended with successful prosecution.
Prosecutors and advocates for domestic violence survivors say the 81% success rate is indicative of the office's focus on proving charges that have been notoriously difficult to prosecute.
"This was a huge blind spot in an area where everybody — prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and defendants — all knew that there was a low success rate in the domestic violence courtroom," said Alex Ronning, supervising attorney of the office’s domestic violence unit. "People beat cases with regularity, maybe even greater regularity than they were held accountable for those cases."
The office began tracking felony domestic violence cases in July 2023 as part of an effort to evaluate performance and communicate to the public that it is making the crime a focal point.
In the 13 full months since, 508 of 626 cases led to a domestic-violence related conviction, including cases that resulted in a guilty plea to a misdemeanor. That number doesn't include about 120 cases that were dismissed due to a plea to other criminal charges. The office obtained guilty verdicts in all five cases taken to trial this year and 10 of 11 trials since it started tracking data. There were also nearly 30 convictions for stalking.
"We're holding defendants accountable and we're earning the trust of survivors," Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley said. "That's what this data shows and what the community can really take to heart."
Prosecutors say the key for success is a dedication to collecting as much physical evidence as possible up front and continuing to investigate the case as it proceeds to trial. That way, the case isn't reliant on testimony that pits one person's word against another's. It also gives the case strength when a victim stops participating in the prosecution — something that can happen due to fear, coercion, a change of heart or a host of other dynamics in domestic relationships.
"In this courtroom, more than any other courtroom, did it happen is the question," Ronning said. "What victims are burdened by with these cases is this constant barrage from the defendant and society that it didn't really happen like that or you're making it up — this gas lighting."
Prosecutors in the domestic violence court build their cases similar to how investigators may prepare for a murder trial, where putting the victim on the stand isn’t possible. That puts the focus on hospital records, video, phone calls, text messages and other physical evidence.
"All throughout law enforcement ... they're taking domestic violence seriously," Ronning said. "They're following up with other individuals in the orbit of the violence that's occurring, they're looking at other evidence, they're more thoroughly investigated."
Jennifer Cacciapaglia, who leads the Mayor's Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, said the high conviction rate is key in giving domestic violence survivors the confidence to come forward. Survivors often avoid the legal system for fear it will anger their abuser and not result in justice.
"The fact that we are even tracking the data in a sustained way to look for patterns and to look for trends is a huge win for our community," Cacciapaglia said. "If we are going to be data-driven and survivor centered, we have to have the data. For the first time we have a state's attorney who is really focusing on monitoring that and improving their own response to this issue."
Domestic violence accounted for roughly 44% of all violent crime in Rockford last year. That was up from 38% in 2022, according to year-end Rockford police statistics.
Curtailing domestic violence has become a focal point for agencies across the city and county, Caccipaglia said. That includes UW Health SwedishAmerican adding specially trained staff to its emergency department to offer support to patients whose injuries stem from suspected domestic violence.
Rockford police have also dedicated resources to the city's Lethality Prevention Division, which is centered around preventing domestic violence homicide. The Rockford Fire Department has also provided increased training to help firefighters and EMTs respond to instances of domestic violence, Cacciapaglia said.
"We are in the middle of a movement in Rockford, Illinois, and Winnebago County that continue to gain momentum," she said. "We're heading in the right direction."
The state's attorney's office has also added a full-time investigator dedicated to its domestic violence unit. That's in addition to four attorneys, including a licensed law school student, who practice in the division.
"The investigation doesn't end when the case is charged," Ronning said. "Our office takes the baton from law enforcement and continues to investigate through each court date."
Long-term, the hope is that higher conviction rates reduce instances of domestic violence. That can happen through court-mandated interventions meant to address the underlying causes of abuse, or prison time. Hanley said his office sees instances "serial batterers" who go from relationship to relationship.
"For an important but relatively small population of offender, holding them accountable in prison and removing them from society is also significant and can have a real positive effect," Hanley said.
Cacciapaglia said the office's data collection is an important part of being able to deploy successful strategies in real time.
"We don't have time to wait. We don't have time for what I like to call observational privilege," she said. "We cannot take time systemizing, and systemizing and systemizing for assurances. We know what our community needs. Our community knows what our community needs. It's time to deploy, get to work, hit the streets, evaluate, pivot and keep going."
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
What does Hard Rock Live's arrival mean for the Coronado Theatre and BMO Center in Rockford?
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — When Hard Rock Casino Rockford locked in its opening date several months ago, Geno Iafrate made a phone call to deliver the news directly to someone across town.
That call went to Doug Johnson, the man responsible for booking entertainment at the Coronado Theatre and BMO Center in downtown. Iafrate, the president of Hard Rock in Rockford, wanted Johnson to know the casino had a massive budget for its opening weekend of entertainment at the 1,600-seat Hard Rock Live.
"You guys might want to lay off this weekend because you might have a hard time selling tickets," Iafrate said he cautioned.
That call is indicative of how Iafrate says the casino can work with the city's two other large-scale live entertainment venues to ensure its presence isn't hurting their bottom line. It also shows how the casino and ASM Rockford, which manages the venues, are aware of the potential for competition.
"Periodically is there going to be some overlap there? It's likely. It's not going to be the norm, it's not going to be common, but it's possible," Iafrate said.
Hard Rock sees itself as a potential benefit to the 2,300-seat Coronado and 6,300-seat BMO Center by adding a new attraction that helps make the city a tourism draw. It's also been an early partner with the venues, including offering financial and promotional support.
"We can help. We're additive to the market, so we're not taking away anything that exists," Iafrate said. "What I think we should work collectively toward is really solidifying Rockford as a regional entertainment destination."
The entertainment pie
Johnson, regional director of ASM Global and the assistant general manager of ASM Rockford, said Hard Rock's entry into the market means that talent is now spread between three venues.
"The pie is spread more. So now we have to find more content, whether it's them or me," he said. "It goes on in every city in America."
Johnson said Hard Rock already won out on an act that he had pursued as well. He didn't name the performer because the show has yet to be announced. He said it's too early to see an statistical data about whether Hard Rock's entry has affected the downtown venues.
"We have made offers on the same acts," he said. "You're going to win some, you're going to lose some."
Johnson said the casino has a beautiful venue with state-of-the art sound, video and lights. It also has a competitive advantage built into its budget, he said.
"Casinos don't necessarily need to make money on their shows, they're there to bring people in to stay and gamble," Johnson said. "They may be spending more for an act than I can."
There are advantages for Johnson's bookings, too, including being able to sell the historic beauty of the 97-year-old Coronado Theatre.
"The Coronado is, of course, a national landmark," said Beth Howard, executive director of the Friends of the Coronado nonprofit. "This is absolutely one of the top theaters in the country — that has to matter to the audiences. Whether it's conscious or subconscious, you just have a feeling of this performance here, and the history — I think that really draws people."
Working together
Hard Rock has been a financial supporter and partner with both the downtown venues since shortly after it opened its interim casino in November 2021.
In February 2022, Hard Rock entered a five-year partnership with the Rockford IceHogs to enhance the in-game promotions and the fan experience, including a better video display at the BMO Center. Among the recent promotions is Hard Rock's sponsorship of the Oct. 12 IceHogs season opening block party. Hard Rock also has a 54-person suite at center ice at the BMO.
The casino also forged a more than $100,000 partnership with the Coronado Theatre in September 2022 to renovate the historic opera boxes and restore a hospitality suite.
"We've never viewed the Coronado or the BMO as competition. In fact, we have been one of the strongest supporters of both of those venues," Iafrate said. "We love those venues."
The city of Rockford also plans to use some of Hard Rock's tax revenue to support the downtown venues.
The city's plan for spending the $7 million in guaranteed Hard Rock Casino gaming revenue includes $100,000 to support to the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority — which oversees the BMO Center, Coronado Theatre and Davis Park — with marketing to balance the effects of the entertainment booked at Hard Rock Casino.
Iafrate said he's had some discussions about making sure they don't book the same type of acts on the same weekends, although there isn't always time to plan that out.
"Sometimes an agent will call and say I'm looking for a date, do you want it or not," Iafrate said. "If you don't answer within an hour it's going to Milwaukee or Des Plaines or somewhere else, you have to be pretty quick in pulling the trigger on that stuff."
The success for both organizations is in drawing visitors from outside of Rockford. For example, Johnson said 62% of ticket buyers — roughly 4,100 people — came from Chicago to see Jo Koy at the BMO Center in October 2023.
"If we're promoting correctly, and we're hitting the people we need to hit with our marketing initiatives, we'll be OK," Johnson said. "Buyers like me are very competitive, we want to win and we want to fill this place up."
Iafrate said that's exactly what all venues are striving for: to make Rockford a place that people come for entertainment.
"This is an example of the better all of us do, the better off the market is," he said. "I don't view them as competition. Never have."
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Belvidere mayor says market - not push for EVs - should decide what's built at assembly plant
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — Mayor Clint Morris is calling on the state and federal government to assist Stellantis in retooling the Belvidere Assembly Plant for whatever vehicle the automaker thinks will sell, whether that's an electric product or not.
Morris' comments were made after Stellantis confirmed last month that it has delayed its plans for the idled Belvidere Assembly Plant, which initially targeted 2027 for production of a new vehicle. It would also have an electric vehicle battery plant and parts distribution center. There is no new timeline, and the United Auto Workers have threatened a national strike over the delay.
The state and federal government have created hundreds of millions of dollars worth of incentives to help Stellantis convert the plant into electric vehicle production, something proponents see as key to the long-term future of autowork in Belvidere.
Morris said the government shouldn't subsidize a product that's not selling, or it risks putting Belvidere back in the same position years from now if the plant is retooled for a vehicle consumers don't want.
"Marketing a great product desired by consumers, not dictated by politics or unnecessary restrictions is how we best achieve a successful marketplace," Morris said. "In my opinion, building a better mousetrap that the consumer beats a path to is preferable to government subsidizing one that is not selling."
He pointed to Ford, which reported $2.5 billion in losses in its Model e electric vehicle division through the first half of the year. Ford has canceled plans for a three-row electric SUV and pushed back plans for a new electric pickup. That's indicative of the need to let the marketplace decide on what Stellantis should make in Belvidere, Morris said.
"As the mayor of Belvidere, I support the success of Stellantis. I want the company, as well as every business, to be successful and not be hampered by unnecessary governmental restrictions, mandates or otherwise," Morris said. "In turn, I believe good-paying jobs will return and flourish in Belvidere and plant employees benefit."
Morris said he has long advocated for a hybrid model.
"Hybrids seem to be selling and they're efficient, and they would be the next logical step I would think before you continue to mandate that they build an electric vehicle," he said.
Morris, an Independent, said freedom in the marketplace should be supported by Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
"Let the consumer decide and end worker casualties," he said.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Hard Rock and local leaders say there's no need to fear a Beloit casino - but for different reasons
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford beat its neighbors to the north in Beloit by being the first near the state line to open a casino.
But even when Ho-Chunk Gaming opens its roughly $405 million casino — now estimated to happen in 2026 — Hard Rock executives as well as state and city political leaders say there's nothing to fear for Rockford.
They have different reasoning for that outlook.
For city and state leaders, they say opening a casino first was an important advantage to build a customer base before a competitor opens less than 20 miles up the Interstate.
For Hard Rock Rockford executives, multiple attractions that draw visitors to the region is a potential benefit.
"If you look at all the major gaming markets in the United States, the one thing that they have in common — whether that's Atlantic City, Biloxi, Las Vegas — the thing all those major markets have in common is concentration," Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate told the Rock River Current. "When you create that concentration you're attracting more and more visitors because we have our marketing budget, Ho Chunk will have their marketing budget, it's great. ...
"Long term I see it as a positive, absolutely."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vub2FR74J9s&lc=UgxAbH4w0ftgHyDAAgN4AaABAg
The Beloit City Council voted late last month to rezone land at the corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads just off Interstate 90 for the future casino and hotel. Ho-Chunk officials say the goal is to break ground in the fall and open in 2026.
"The fact that they beat out Wisconsin at building this casino means that at least for a couple more years, I think you're going to find people are going to come here," Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday while answering questions from reporters after Hard Rock's opening. "Then, after that, because they're going to see how great it is. Why would they go to a casino there when they can come here and they already know it's great?"
Pritzker signed legislation in 2019 allowing for six new casinos, including the one in Rockford. He said Hard Rock opening before a casino in Wisconsin would further support the state's growing tourism numbers.
“I’m a hyper-competitive person, I just want to be clear. I always when I run into the governor of Wisconsin, a really great guy, but I always needle him that we’re beating them,” Pritzker said at the Hard Rock opening celebration. “One of our goals with this project was to open our casino first so that we can attract residents from the other side of the state border to experience Illinois, enjoy our hospitality and our people, stay at our hotels, shop at our stores, eat at our restaurants.”
Beloit had already started working on a casino roughly 20 years ago as Rockford was pursuing a license of its own, state Sen. Dave Syverson said.
"They wanted to build it right on the border, right on I-90," he said. "Their whole plan was that 75% of their revenue was going to come from Illinois.
"I said, I don't care if you're pro gambling or not — you should want Rockford because we can tax it and regulate it and keep the money here."
Syverson said that Beloit's future casino also illustrates why it was important for Hard Rock to be along the Interstate, rather than downtown as some had urged.
"Having it here means literally millions of dollars difference for this community," Syverson said.
Revenue guarantees
There are other financial incentives for Rockford to beat Beloit to opening a casino.
The city's host fee agreement guarantees Rockford $7 million annually in gambling tax revenue from Hard Rock Casino. However, that agreement allows for renegotiation if Beloit opens a casino and it adversely affects Rockford.
"The casino minimum gaming tax guarantee could face new negotiations or discussion if there is a casino within 50 miles and it has an adverse impact on the casino," City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said, citing the agreement.
Mayor Tom McNamara said Hard Rock's international brand was one of the big reasons the City Council chose it as its casino operator. He expects that brand to help draw tourists here even after Beloit's casino opens.
"This is going to be a class act establishment," McNamara said. "You couple that with the brand and the food and service options that are going to be provided, I know ours will do very well even if Beloit is there."
John Groh, president and CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Rockford has an advantage by opening first. He, like McNamara, also sees an advantage in Hard Rock's international brand.
There are 311 branded Hard Rock venues across the globe in 74 different countries
"There's definitely a strong first mover advantage, so I'm very happy that Hard Rock is opening the Rockford casino before Beloit opens theirs," Groh said. "I think we will always have the better hand over Beloit given the international brand that's associated with Hard Rock."
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Disagree with that 13% increase in your home's taxable value? The deadline to challenge nears
https://infogram.com/tax-assessment-challenges-1h7j4dvo7j0w94n?live
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Home and business owners across Winnebago County were greeted this summer with another double-digit increase to the taxable value of their property.
The taxable value of all property across Winnebago County increased more than 13% this year to a record high $7.27 billion, according to the Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments. That comes after an 11% increase in 2023, and it's the third consecutive year of record-high values in the county.
The increase can largely be credited to a hot local real estate market that has seen record-high sale prices and was named the top housing market in the country this spring by the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com.
That real estate market will make it difficult for homeowners to challenge their assessments in an attempt to prove their property was overvalued and lower their tax burden.
Attorney Jim Tuneberg, who specializes in assessment challenges, said there is growing frustration from who have watched their tax bills increase.
"I'm hearing a lot of frustration from both residential and commercial property owners," said Tuneberg, an attorney with Rockford-based Guyer & Enichen.
Property owners have until Aug. 30 or Aug. 31 — depending on which township you live in — to file a challenge to what tax assessors say your home or business is worth.
Assessments are one part of the formula that determines your total tax bill. The other portion depends on how much local governments decide to collect with their annual levy.
If your property value rises but governments collect the same or less, the tax rate will be lower. But a lower rate doesn't necessarily mean a lower bill. That depends on how much the value of your property has changed. The tax rate in Rockford's largest tax code has fallen by 5 percentage points since 2015, but many will still pay higher total dollar amounts because of large increases in value.
https://infogram.com/winnebago-county-property-value-1ho16vomq8odx4n?live
Challenges are a common practice for property owners looking to lower how much they pay in property taxes. There were nearly 1,300 such challenges last year. That was double the previous year but still far below the record 7,433 that came in 2011 as the county was still reeling from the housing market collapse that began in late 2007.
There have been a little less than 200 challenges so far this year, but Supervisor of Assessments Tom Hodges expects the final tally to be similar to 2022 and 2021, when 655 and 750 challenges were filed. The number was higher last year because it was a quadrennial assessment year, when every parcel in the county gets reassessed.
The taxable value of your property is based on sales of similar homes or businesses in the three prior years. The higher taxable values have followed the record high home sale prices.
“Because the market has been so strong on the residential side it will be difficult for a lot of property owners to find evidence to be successful in an appeal,” said Ken Crowley, Rockford Township assessor.
It's difficult, but not impossible. Last year, nearly 63% of the 1,289 challenges were successful in receiving some sort of reduction, although not necessarily the amount they sought.
Tuneberg said it's key for homeowners to consider the condition of their property compared with those being sold. For example, assessors may be using sales from a homeowner who installed a new roof or made multiple renovations before putting it on the market for a higher price. A similar-sized home in a similar location without such improvements wouldn't draw the same sale price, but it still gets tied to those high sales prices by assessors.
"An individual challenge can still be made based on the present condition of a subject property," Tuneberg said. "The focus for a residential property owner would be to assess the actual condition of their property versus the condition of sale comparable properties."
Tuneberg said this year he's seeing an increase in interest from commercial property owners, largely because they have the same multiplier applied to their company as homeowners do. That multiplier, which is used to create uniformity between all townships on assessments, may cost homeowners a small amount but large businesses several thousand dollars.
Last year, challenges resulted in the total county value falling by about $24 million to $6.41 billion, a reduction of less than half a percentage point.
The tax rate will be determined in April after all local taxing bodies have determined their levy and after the board of review hears assessment challenges.
How to challenge
Property owners who disagree with the assessed value of their home can submit a complaint to the Winnebago County Board of Review.
You can access the complaint form HERE.
Before you file a complaint you should complete THIS CHECKLIST.
To learn more about challenges, visit the supervisor of assessments website HERE.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Microsoft data center could employ more than 200 after multiyear construction in Cherry Valley
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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CHERRY VALLEY — Microsoft is developing plans to build a data center that would one day employ more than 200 people near the corner of U.S. Route 20 and Wheeler Road.
The multiyear project would expand across 309 acres of what is now cornfields with six one-story buildings to house computer servers that support the technology giant's cloud online infrastructure.
More news: UAW warns of national strike, says Stellantis hasn't kept its promises to Belvidere
The project also promises to provide a jolt to the local economy, both through the permanent technology jobs in the facility and the hundreds of jobs created during the course of construction. Approximately 350 construction jobs are created for each of the six buildings.
"It creates diversity in the types of jobs that we have in our community, and it spurs development in other areas," said Pamela Lopez-Fettes, executive director of Growth Dimensions, the Boone County economic development agency that has worked with Microsoft on its plans to locate here. "When you see these types of opportunities, it brings other opportunities here: restaurants, storefronts, offices."
Microsoft rolled out its proposal on Monday during an open house at the Tebala Event Center. Its proposal goes to the village's Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday for the first step in the process to receive a special-use permit and annexation agreement to build in Cherry Valley.
Microsoft warned at the open house that the process is a marathon that will take multiple years.
If the project earns village approval, Microsoft would move forward with buying the land this summer before starting the prep work to prepare the land for construction. The first of the six buildings isn't expected to be operational until 2028. Subsequent building timing isn't confirmed.
Lopez-Fettes and state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, said access to reliable, affordable energy — including a nearby electric substation — made the site attractive to Microsoft. The company also has the ability to draw from a great regional workforce, Syverson said.
"For the Cherry Valley area, just the name Microsoft is kind of like what Hard Rock will do for Rockford," Syverson said. "Once you start bringing a big name out there it attracts others, plus you have to bring all the infrastructure out to them. Once it's there it's easier to do other hookups."
Expansion of infrastructure into the area such as water and sewer services will help prime the area for more development in the future, Lopez-Fettes said.
Syverson said Microsoft will generate significant property taxes for the county, schools, fire department and other taxing bodies because data centers property values are based not just on the building but the servers as well.
Village Administrator Jim Claeyssen said the village wants to see Microsoft to protect the closest neighborhood from the sights and sounds of the new development.
To do so, all traffic feeding into the site is planned to come off Wheeler Road at the east end of the project away from the closest residences in the East Valley neighborhood.
"They're a pretty quiet neighbor," he said. "The most noise they will make is building it."
Microsoft will also keep roughly 2,000 feet of land open for buffering and berms.
Claeyssen said the data center will use the amount of water similar to about 30 homes a day.
"They're going to be a good neighbor for us," Claeyssen said. "It is probably the most positive job growth for high-tech jobs in our area in a long time."
Anyone who missed the open house can see the slides Microsoft presented at Village Hall, 806 E. State St., during normal business hours.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
UAW warns of national strike, saying Stellantis isn't keeping its promises for Belvidere
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — The United Auto Workers union has threatened a national strike against Stellantis over its delay of bringing new operations and a new product to Belvidere.
Stellantis confirmed Tuesday that it has delayed the plans for the idled Belvidere Assembly Plant, but it says it remains committed to the project.
The union representing tens of thousands of workers announced Monday morning that it plans to file grievances against Stellantis for failing to uphold investments that were negotiated in its recent labor contract. That could pave the way for a national strike, according to the union. Stellantis said the union cannot legally strike over the delay.
“This company made a commitment to autoworkers at Stellantis in our union contract, and we intend to enforce that contract to the full extent," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a news release. “On behalf of autoworkers everywhere, we’re standing up against a company that wants to go back on its commitments and drive a race to the bottom at the expense of the American worker.”
Stellantis informed the UAW that it would not launch a consolidated Mopar Mega Hub this year, it will not begin stamping operations for the Belvidere Mega Hub in 2025 and it will not begin production of a midsize truck in Belvidere in 2027. A new timeline has not been set.
"To ensure the company’s future competitiveness and sustainability, which are necessary to preserve U.S. manufacturing jobs, it is critical that the business case for all investments is aligned with market conditions and our ability to accommodate a wide range of consumer demands," Stellantis said in a statement shared with the Rock River Current. "Therefore, the company confirms it has notified the UAW that plans for Belvidere will be delayed, but firmly stands by its commitment. As always, the company is committed to engaging with the union on a productive, respectful and forward-looking dialogue."
The UAW said the failure for the company to plan for the new operations is a violation of its collective bargaining agreement.
"During 2023 national negotiations the parties agreed to the investment plan for Belvidere to address job security concerns impacting bargaining unit members throughout the entire system," the language of the grievance reads. "The company’s failure to honor its commitments in the U.S. Investment letter is a serious concern to all bargaining unit members."
Stellantis said it has not violated the contract.
"The company has not violated the commitments made in the investment letter included in the 2023 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement and strongly objects to the union’s accusations," Stellantis said. "In fact, the UAW agreed to language that expressly allows the company to modify product investments and employment levels. Therefore, the union cannot legally strike over a violation of this letter at this time."
The Belvidere Assembly Plant was idled at the end of February 2023 and reopening it was a key component of labor negotiations between Stellantis and the UAW.
The union won the right to strike over product and investment commitments, including the deal to reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant, in its labor contract, the union noted in its news release.
"Under the UAW Stellantis contract, once an issue has been taken through the grievance procedure, the union may authorize a strike over the grievance," the news release reads. "UAW Stellantis members are prepared to take action if necessary."
Other UAW chapters that may file grievances include those in Toledo, Ohio, Warren, Michigan, Sterling Heights, Michigan, Detroit, and Kokomo, Indiana.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Check it out: How the giant showpiece guitar at Hard Rock Casino was made for Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — For the past five months, a team of dozens of workers at a sign and visual communications company in Baltimore, Maryland, have meticulously crafted the future showpiece for Hard Rock Casino.
Next week, the nearly 63-foot tall replica of one of Rick Nielsen's signature checkerboard guitars is expected to make its debut. It has already struck a chord with its makers at Gable in Baltimore and with locals who see it as a future landmark.
"In my 40-plus years in this industry, this guitar will be one of Gable’s most exciting and iconic pieces," Matt Gable said. "I have heard from the majority of our staff and there is consensus that this guitar ranks near the top of most exciting and iconic pieces."
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The sign will come here in four sections that each arrive on their own semi-truck. Two of the trucks will be completely covered while the other two will carry components on flatbed trucks covered with shrink wrap.
Shipments are expected to start arriving either Tuesday or Wednesday, and installation should be complete by the end of the week.
"We cannot wait for this to happen. I think it's beyond exciting for the community," said Kristen Paul, executive vice president of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "As a lifelong area resident, to see that space come back to life has been really exciting and now this showpiece is going to be added."
For 50 years, the roughly 100-foot Clock Tower stood at the same site as a local landmark and a sign to visitors and residents that they were in Rockford. The tower was torn down in August 2018 as investors in the casino cleared the shuttered Clock Tower Resort to make way for Hard Rock, 7801 E. State St. The casino is slated to open Aug. 29.
"It's a whole new look from what the Clock Tower was," Paul said. "I think it will absolutely be a landmark. I think people on the highway will see it and want to know what it is. I think people coming home will feel it — that they're home when they see it."
One of one
The sign is unique in the true sense of the word: Its design is one of one.
Gable is known for creating unique and larger-than-life specialty pieces of architecture. This project, which started with an electronic version of the 3D model provided by Nielsen's team, is a one-off design that has never been made to this scale or size, Gable said.
A countdown clock to shipment was illuminated in the Gable workspace as the team assembled the guitar's components.
"This type of project also weighs heavily and creates quite a bit of stress and accountability that we take very seriously," Gable said. "We realize that when accepting a project such as this, you assume the responsibility to deliver the best work possible, meeting all expectations of all stakeholders."
More than 75 of Gable's team of 160 worked on the guitar, which required thousands of labor hours from various departments at the company, Gable said.
The project required creating specific CNC router files for all the pieces and components. Gable's metal fabrication shop then built the steel and aluminum sections that created the overall shape of the guitar.
The guitar then makes its way to the finishing department to prep, sand and fill the seams of each section and ensure the black-and-white checkerboard pattern properly aligns. It's primed, masked and painted with several coats.
“I am in absolute awe of this guitar," said Alyssa Hankins, project coordinator for Gable. "The blood (hours), sweat, and literal tears, that have been put into this guitar shows through the photos ..."
The guitar is largely made from steel and aluminum. The woodgrain-style guitar neck was achieved using vinyl laminate and inlays, Gable said. The frets on the guitar neck are built from aluminum tubes, and the tuning pegs are built using various CNC-routed aluminum components. Those components are built separately and welded, ground smooth, assembled, primed and painted.
The guitar's volume control and other 3D elements come together with a combination of CNC-routed aluminum and other outdoor durable materials.
Lastly, the guitar strings and perimeter outline are achieved using faux neon white LED tube lighting.
"I take special pride with this project as Cheap Trick was one of my favorite bands in the 1970/80s," Gable said. "For me personally, I have many relatives in the Chicago and surrounding areas that will see this landmark piece and know of Gable’s intimate involvement."
Paul, the VP of Rockford's visitors bureau, said the guitar can be a point of pride for the city, too.
"It highlights another local person and local band that just shows the amount of talent and the amount of awesomeness here," Paul said. "What comes from Rockford is great and Rockford's future is great."
Fast facts | Hard Rock Rockford guitar
Height: 62-feet, 10 inches
Width: 38-feet, 6 inches
Weight: 14,000 pounds (approximately, including steel support structure)
Made by: Baltimore-based Gable
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Perfetti Van Melle looks to grow workforce at Rockford-area gum factory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdNOP4QOHS0
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — Perfetti Van Melle has ramped up its operation and grown its workforce in its first year of ownership of the local gum factory.
The international confectionary company targets a total 65% growth in its local workforce from last October, when it acquired the factory at 5500 Forest Hills Road, until the end of this year.
More jobs: Rockford manufacturer to add jobs after merger brings new product line here from England
The 700,000-square-foot gum plant employed 300 people when Perfetti Van Melle acquired it from Mondelēz International. It expects to have roughly 500 workers by the end of the year.
The plant where Trident, Dentyne and other brands are made has already grown to about 400 workers over the past 10 months.
It's hiring full-time roles in production operations, maintenance, packaging, engineering, quality control, management and other jobs. Hourly roles start at $20 per hour, plus benefits, with the potential to earn more based on experience.
"Our Rockford facility has the space and capability to expand production lines, and we are excited to bring these growth projects to life," said Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America.
Part of the initial growth came from adding a new manufacturing line to handle packaging of Mentos, which was part of Perfetti's portfolio before acquiring Trident, Dentyne, Bubblicious and Stride from Mondelez.
"We're a dynamic employer in the greater Rockford region, producing beloved products that bring joy to people worldwide," Buxton said. "We want people to know that Perfetti Van Melle is here, investing in the Rockford factory, our team and the local community."
The factory has been in operation since 1956, and for many people it stands out for the sweet smell that wafts in the air as you drive down Forest Hills Road.
"I used to work across the street, so I can speak firsthand to how great it smells," said Duncan Geddes, executive director of the Parks Chamber of Commerce. "What an involvement the company has had in the community for a long time. It's been a large employer, and really been a pillar of the business community in the Parks."
Geddes said he's glad to see not only the company's hiring, but how it's been involved in the community since taking over the plant in October.
Perfetti was, for example, a key sponsor of the Diamonds storytelling gala with Michelle Williams. It has also donated to local charities and programs such as the Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign, and it participated in community events and holiday celebrations.
"The company got involved right away with our holiday parade last year, which was fun to see a big Perfetti Van Melle float in the parade," Geddes said. "Definitely nice to see they're involved in the community and what they do for their employees and staff."
Pefetti said increasing the workforce is necessary to support rising demands across the U.S. and Canada.
"There's a lot of pride within this community and you can definitely see that pride within this plant," Josh Hann said. "This place has been around since 1956, and a place cannot survive without employees that have been here 30, 40 years."
Hann said experience isn't necessary for those interested in applying to work at the factory.
"The growth potential is unlimited here in this facility," Hann said. "That's what's most exciting for me is to see the growth amongst the new employees to see where they can finish in the next several years and beyond."
There's one other perk to working at the factory, Hann said.
"I can tell you that I never go home smelling worse than I started," Hann said. "It's like working in a giant air freshener."
Want to work at the gum factory?
Perfetti Van Melle, 5500 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park, is hiring dozens more workers before the end of the year.
Visit jobs.PerfettiVanMelle.com to learn more about how to apply.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Rockford manufacturer to add jobs after merger brings new product line here from England
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A Rockford manufacturer is expanding its repertoire and adding jobs after a recent acquisition brought a new product line here from England.
Bourn & Koch, which offers a range of machine tool services from its facility at 2500 Kishwaukee St., and England-based Mollart Machinery were each acquired by the InCompass family of machinery companies last year. Now, the Rockford machine tool shop is taking on the deep hole drilling machine operations and field support services previously handled out of Chessington.
"I remain excited that we’ve joined the InCompass family of machine tool builders and am thrilled to be given the opportunity to integrate the manufacturing and assembly of the Mollart gun drilling line of CNC machines within our facility," Todd Well, vice president of operations for Bourn & Koch, said in a statement to the Rock River Current. "I think this is great opportunity for growing our team and a compliment to Rockford’s long-standing history of machine tool manufacturing."
Wells said the company has already added a couple team members to support the transition. About five to 10 employees are expected to be hired to take on the additional work.
The company is upskilling new hires with support of The Workforce Connection, which won an Illinois Quality Jobs Program grant to support training at Bourn & Koch and several other initiatives.
Bourn & Koch "was chosen as a partner on this project because of the many quality jobs practices that they have already integrated into their workforce," said Gina Caronna, executive director of The Workforce Connection. "Intentional hiring practices, job-embedded opportunities for training and advancement, and an organizational culture that value employees making meaningful contributions to the workplace are just some of the quality jobs practices that mark (Bourn & Koch) as a leader in the quality jobs arena.”
Chiante Tucker, an electrical assembler, is one of the company's latest additions starting near the end of June. He came to Bourn & Koch after a recommendation from Rockford Career College. He was drawn to the tuition reimbursement and the potential for upward mobility with the ability to earn more by adding new job skills.
"What really sold me was the fact you can grow here and they help you with the schooling," he said.
Bourn & Koch started to transition production to Rockford at the start of the year with numerous orders for Mollart already in its backlog.
The move to Rockford was made in part because many of Mollart’s customers already are located in North America. The company said providing field service and support out of Rockford will cut down on service response time for customers in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Bourne & Koch specializes in manufacturing Blanchard grinders, gear hobbers and Fellows gear shapers. It supports companies such as John Deere, Caterpillar, the Department of Energy and a few dozen other machine tool companies with a variety of services.
The company was founded in 1975 and has claim to some of Rockford's rich manufacturing history. It's 130,000-square-foot factory is the former Rockford Machine Tool Co. building, which it purchased in 1984. It also purchased assets of the Barber-Colman Co. machine tool division and Reed Chatwood, among other companies.
Interested in work?
Anyone interested in working at Bourn & Koch can email resumes@bourn-koch.com to submit a resume or inquire about a job. More information is available HERE.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas