Rockford City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026
Rockford City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026
The Rockford City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance, and a proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month, presented by Mayor Thomas P. McNamara with remarks from NAACP President Wayne Turner and an employee resource group member. The council then proceeded through petitions, public speakers, committee reports, unfinished business, motions, resolutions, and new business. A major focus was a motion to reconsider an ordinance providing a $200,000 incentive from casino plan funds for a McDonald's development at 4103 West State Street, which ultimately failed after a 7–6 vote (short of the required 8 affirmative votes for an expenditure).
Consent Calendar
- Acceptance of the Journal: The journal of December 1, 2025, was accepted.
- Proclamation: Unanimously approved recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month.
- Committee Reports:
- Planning and Development: Approved the Preliminary Conditional Set-Aside Letter for RockRiver I Apartments (HOME/CDBG funds) – 13-0 vote.
- Code and Regulation: Approved Plat No. 2 of Puri West State Subdivision – 13-0 vote.
- Finance and Personnel: Approved vouchers ($9,842,897.49) and lien waivers for three trustee properties ($4,634.25 total) – 13-0 votes. Item 3 (IGA with RPS 205) was laid over upon motion.
- Appointments: Two appointments to the Community Relations Commission (Zsa Zsa Johnson and Shimere Shanklin) were laid over per Rule 18 until after March 4, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Prophet Yusef: Listed numerous local African American leaders and residents, emphasizing the talent and contributions of Black Rockfordians.
- Paul Foss: Opposed the $200,000 incentive for McDonald's, arguing the funds should not go to the largest property developer and the largest corporation in the world. He noted 10 existing restaurants within a quarter-mile of the proposed site and stated the project does not alleviate food insecurity.
- Lisa Jackson: Criticized comments made by city council members on social media regarding a senior center development, specifically calling out Ald. Hoffman's words as “deliberate, dismissive, degrading, dehumanizing.” She urged elected officials to be mindful of their public statements.
- Tamika Brown: Acknowledged the potential economic benefits of the McDonald's project but stressed it does not solve food insecurity. She advocated instead for a mobile grocery market that accepts SNAP/WIC, provides fresh produce, and involves a community advisory board. She urged measurable goals and progress reporting.
- Dennis Littlejohn: Opposed the McDonald's incentive, questioning why the city would subsidize a fast-food restaurant when children lack healthy options. He noted the barren West Street corridor and asked whether a grocery store could provide similar jobs and align with the mayor's health initiative. He spoke as a young civic-minded resident.
Discussion Items
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Reconsideration of McDonald's Development Incentive (Item 26-00180): A motion to reconsider ordinance 2026-24-O, which approved a $200,000 amendment to a development agreement with First Midwest Group/Machesney Investment LLC for a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street. The funding source was 2025 Casino Plan Funds/Economic Development High Risk Area. Extensive debate followed:
- Ald. Thunberg: Expressed concern about setting a precedent for frequent reconsiderations; advised sticking with original votes after due diligence.
- Ald. Meeks: Stated no constituents asked for the McDonald's subsidy; questioned why financial scrutiny was applied to the Arts Council but not to for-profit businesses.
- Ald. Beach: Emphasized that the vote had consequences—the developer made commitments based on it. He argued the project brings sales tax, property tax, jobs, and economic development to a long-vacant corner.
- Ald. Torina: Supported the layover to allow due diligence on the Flock Safety contract (separate item) but also queried whether the development would proceed without the incentive.
- Ald. Bell: Supported the McDonald's as an economic anchor for the West Side, arguing it could spur further development. He stressed the city can address both economic development and food insecurity simultaneously, and noted the recent creation of a food insecurity task force.
- Ald. Bonnie: Supported reconsideration, citing the staff recommendation for denial, public feedback, and the $200,000 investment's questionable value. He noted the council previously acted on public outcry in the Barbara Coleman case.
- City Administrator Todd Cagnoni: Explained the procedural history—initial denial recommendation by committee, then a confusing vote, then approval 9-4 two weeks earlier. He clarified that a “yes” vote to reconsider would allow a new vote; a “no” would let the original approval stand.
- Developer Brad Keys (First Midwest Group): Stated that after the council's initial 9-4 vote, he made commitments to McDonald's regarding easements and other requirements. Withdrawing the incentive could damage the city's reputation with developers and potentially kill the deal. He argued McDonald's brings traffic and retail synergy to the corridor, potentially attracting other development to the adjacent city-owned parcel.
- Ald. Salgado: Disclosed no campaign contributions from the developer. He acknowledged the robust conversation and hoped for future development in his 11th ward as well.
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Flock Safety Sole Source Contract (Item 1 under Motions & Resolutions): Laid over upon motion due to public concerns about data sharing and potential unlawful use of license plate readers. Ald. Torina supported the layover for due diligence.
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Arts Council Funding Agreement (Shumway Building): Laid over after Ald. Thunberg motioned, citing recently received profit/loss statements and wanting further review.
Key Outcomes
- McDonald's Incentive Denied: The motion to reconsider passed 7–6 (yes: Thunberg, Frost, Wilkins, Hoffman, Grant, Beach, Bell; no: Logan, Torina, Fronty, Salgado, Meeks, Bonnie). On the subsequent vote on the ordinance itself, the tally was 7–6 in favor (same yes votes plus Logan? Wait, careful: actual roll call for the ordinance: Logan no, Thunberg yes, Frost yes, Torina no, Fronty no, Wilkins yes, Hoffman yes, Grant yes, Beach yes, Salgado no, Meeks no, Bell yes, Bonnie no — that's 7 yes, 6 no). Director Hammer advised that under the Illinois Municipal Code, eight affirmative votes are required for expenditure of funds; therefore the ordinance failed. Mayor McNamara confirmed the item is denied.
- Flock Safety Contract Laid Over: Approved for further review; will return in a future meeting.
- Arts Council Lease/Agreement Laid Over: To allow aldermen to review financial documents (profit/loss, balance sheet).
- Finance Item 3 (IGA with RPS 205) Laid Over: No further details on timing.
- New Business – RockRiver I Apartments: Ordinance approving the conditional set-aside letter was approved 13-0.
- Head Start Staff Retention Incentives: Two ordinances (union and non-union) were approved after suspending Rule 9, allowing immediate passage. Both provide one-time non-recurring retention incentives using grant funds.
- Closed Session: The council briefly convened into closed session to discuss collective negotiating matters, then returned to open session and adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. We will call to order the City of Rockford's regularly scheduled city council meeting for Tuesday, February seventeenth, twenty twenty six. Father, we asked tonight that you would be in this uh building in this room, Lord, as I go about the city's business. So I pray now that you would touch the old one, the mayor, and the leaders of the city, all those in charge of the departments of our city, the police department and fire department. We ask in Jesus' name. I don't know if we happen to have a microphone to do. All right. Excellent. We do have a proclamation this evening. And we have a proclamation for Black History Month, and we are fortunate to have members of our employee resource group with us. So I'd have you come up as well as we have the president of the NAACP, Wayne Turner with us, if you'd like to come forward as well. Thank you, sir. Whereas in 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. And in 1926, established Negro History Week, which later evolved into the nationally recognized observance of Black History Month in 1976. Whereas since that time, Black History Month has been observed annually to inspire, to inform, and to educate our citizens about the history of Black Americans and the lasting contributions they have made to American life, culture, innovation, and civic leadership. And whereas each year during Black History Month, we discover a wealth of history that reflects a perseverance, resilience, and triumph of the human spirit while honoring those whose stories were too often overlooked and even untold. And whereas this history is not only a vital part of black history, but an essential part of American history. And we should set aside a special time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements, heritage, and ongoing impact of African Americans in our state and our city as well as our nation. Now, therefore, I Thomas P. Mackmer, as a mayor of the city of Rockford, do hereby recognize and proclaim February 2026 to be to be Black History Month. Would anyone from our ERG like to say any words? All right. So we are fortunate this evening. Obviously, uh, we've taken a moment of silence. We've had a proclamation in honor of George the passing, tragic passing of George Scott. We are fortunate this evening to have the president of the NAACP, Wayne Turner with us. Uh Mr. Turner, would you like to say a few words? Yes, um, thank you for that powerful uh proclamation and everything that you did in uh recognition of uh dear George Scott and his passing and everything. Um as I step into this role, I do so with humility and respect uh for the legacy that was laid forth and the legacy that we continue to want to move on. Um so our branch must move forward, surviving and thriving. We'll strengthen our presence in the city of Rockwood by expanding membership, engaging in our youth and building strong partnership with faith leaders, educators, small businesses, and elected officials. So we're gonna focus on our three priorities and um priorities. First is advocacy. We're looking for advocacy to be able to uh strengthen our partnerships with our brothers and sisters and all the entities around the cities and in the areas, making strong partnership, turning over every stone, we're turning a new leaf, making things happen in a positive uh step, positive move in our communities and uh in our surrounding areas. Uh second, we're looking for economic empowerment, supporting black owned businesses, and pushing for equitable opportunities throughout the city. And third, one thing we're looking for, ownership, whether that be homes, whether it be businesses, and us coming together to do the things that we can uh to push things private thrive and to make our communities a better and a safer place. Um so as the NAACP, you know the president, I can't do this by myself. I'm gonna need some of you leaders and some of uh our constituents, our fellow brothers and sisters, our neighbors to join us. Join us in the fight that we push forward uh to make these things happen in a positive way. And if you can't do anything else, please have a membership, join the membership, and then attend one of our meetings and bring some of your expertise to our to our to our branch so that we can push these things forward in a positive and a meaningful way. Your surely. Thank you. And Chief Rett. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to take a moment um of silence for the passing of uh Reverend Jesse Jackson, if we could please thank you, and I just want to, in the absence of uh the others, not standing up and speaking for the ABO group. I just want to say that I recognize we're all here because we stand on the shoulders of giants, those that have come before us, who have paved the way, and uh recognizing we're not where we should be, but thank God we're not where we used to be.
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