Rockford Code and Regulation Committee Meeting – May 26, 2026
Rockford Code and Regulation Committee Meeting – May 26, 2026
The Code and Regulation Committee of the Rockford City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM in City Hall. The meeting began with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and two proclamations from Mayor Thomas P. McNamara. The committee then heard public comments, considered seven committee reports, and approved two resolutions.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Rockford Human Services Department: Mayor McNamara recognized the department for over six decades of service to families and individuals working to escape poverty. Board Chair Tiana McCall thanked the city for its support.
- Veterans Drop-in Center: A proclamation was presented for receiving the Hempstead Humanitarian Award. Representatives noted the center provides meals, clothing, hygiene products, haircuts, housing and job resources, and is open Monday–Friday, 11:30 AM–5:30 PM at 391 North Trainer Road.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Craig Campbell: Expressed anger about the placement of registered sex offenders on the west side, criticized police response to mental health crises, and complained about inadequate home protection after a burglary. He urged better policing and accountability.
- Prophet Yusuf: Recited a poem honoring veterans and their sacrifices, emphasizing that all Americans should support the military and show gratitude.
- Stephanie Snyder (area resident): Opposed changing the current TIF district from job-creation criteria, citing that her property value tripled from $102,000 to nearly $400,000, contradicting claims of blight. She demanded transparency regarding Monarch’s plans and questioned who benefits from the deal.
- Ken Dickens (business consultant): Criticized the proposed data center project, claiming it would harm water, natural resources, and the ecosystem. He stated he was moving his own business to Buffalo, New York after being shut down locally. He urged the city to produce an independent impact study before proceeding.
Committee Reports
- Final Plat No. 1 of South Avon Subdivision – Location: southwest corner of S. Avon St. and Chestnut St., and southeast corner of Short Elm St. and S. Avon St. Approved unanimously by voice vote.
- 3382 South Alpine Road – Special use permit for outdoor storage of operable passenger vehicles and variation to use gravel instead of concrete/asphalt in an I-1 Light Industrial District. Approved on roll call (2 ayes, 0 noes).
- 53xx East State Street – Special use permit for a Planned Unit Development with 350 residential units, lower-level parking, courtyard, and three commercial buildings in a C-2 district. Approved unanimously by voice vote.
- 3011 Auburn Street – Liquor license (Class L50) for Fatdaddy’s Gaming Hall. Alderman Torina opposed, stating the west side deserves better development than mini-game halls. Roll call vote: 2 ayes, 2 noes. Motion failed.
- 714 Broadway – Tobacco sales license for Dolla Dame Smoke Shop. No second was offered to the motion to approve. Item failed to advance.
- 2614 and 2600 Kilburn Avenue – Packaged liquor license (Class PKG) for Jasmine Pantry grocery. No second was offered. Item failed to advance.
- 716 and 7xx Indiana Avenue – Liquor license (Class NG-L) for Copper Lantern event space at the former Lithuanian Club. Aldermen Torina and Saugal spoke in favor, noting the building’s history and the owners’ hospitality background. Approved on roll call (at least 3 ayes, 0 noes).
Resolutions
- Rockford Fire 911 Run – Scheduled June 6, 2026, 8:30–11:00 AM at 391 North Trainer Road. Approved.
- Cycle on 2nd Street – Scheduled September 13, 2026, 8:00–10:00 AM (roads close at 7:00 AM). Route: southbound on N. 2nd Street (IL 251) from Auburn Street to East State Street. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Items 1–3 and 7 (plats, Alpine Road, East State Street PUD, Copper Lantern) were approved and will advance to the full City Council.
- Items 4–6 (Fatdaddy’s Gaming Hall, Dolla Dame Smoke Shop, Jasmine Pantry) failed due to lack of majority or lack of a second.
- Both resolutions passed and will be implemented.
- Public comments raised significant opposition to the proposed Monarch development and TIF change, as well as concerns about public safety and data center environmental impacts.
- The meeting was adjourned after the resolutions.
Meeting Transcript
I think I think the difference is now is that we see it. You never just want two three. No. So now we can just I do think that you are like ways of your thing. If you don't really know why we're going to be able to do it, say that offered. What's your plan? Testing one, two, three. Testing one, two, three. Good evening. I'd like to call the order of the codes and regulations committee for May twenty sixth, twenty twenty-six clerk. Would you please call a roll? President. Next we'll have our invitation from Pastor Nance of Gomez Chapel and Amy Church. Father God will come right now in the precious name of J. Well, we thank you for what you've already done in our lives. Thank you for bringing us here, Father, on one accord tonight. Allow us to understand what you want. In addition to the rules and regulations of this board, in addition to the root resolutions, in addition to the agreements that are being made tonight. Thank you, Father, for allowing us to have pliable hearts. Allow us to understand each other. Allow us to love on one another as you have loved us. Allow us to be in agreement when we leave this meeting and not have anything not done that we say here. Father, we thank you that you're so great in the city of Rockford. We thank you for our mayor and we thank you for our aldermen that they are doing the job that you want them to do. We thank you for each pastor that is here holding this city up in the name of Jesus. We thank you for everyone is here to be right and to get things done decently and in order. Father, we thank you for what you are about to do as we go into our future. We thank you for every grievance. We thank you for every acclamation on this roster tonight. We ask that you open doors that we've not seen before. We ask that you bless each and everyone that is coming in your name to do the right thing, Father. We ask these things in Jesus' name and for his sake, amen. Under God, individual with liberty and justice for our province. Next we have two proclamations from Mayor McIntyre this evening. I don't think these mics must be. We are committed to helping families and changing lives, and we've been privileged to do that in this community for over six decades. And so we look forward to continuing to do that and to provide innovative services and opportunities for uh families who are working to get out of poverty to continue to advance. Um I think our board chair has thank you, Director Parham. Again, I am the board chair uh Tiana McCall, and she stole a little of my thunder, but again, I just want to thank you uh guys for all the support that you provide for this um endeavor. You know, there is uh in these economic times, you know, hardship falls upon um a lot of people, and it's just great to make sure that we have a whole department and a city's support as far as being able to try to alleviate some of that. So thank you guys again. I want to again thank the great staff that works and goes out every day here in Winnipeg and in Boone Counties. So uh thank you all again. Thank you, Kim. Next, uh, we have a proclamation for Veterans Drop in Center, and I believe we have a host of uh volunteers and team members with us. Yes. If you don't mind. Since you're to my right, I'm gonna hand that to you. Whereas in 2009, a group of caring, compassionate people decided that Rockford area veterans and families needed a place to gather and meet with their peers. And whereas a drop-in center is a flexible space where individuals can access essential services without appointments and be provided with immediate support, such as housing assistance, food and mental health services.
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