OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Rockford Planning & Development Committee Meeting – June 8, 2026

Meeting Portal — Monday, June 8, 2026
BodyRockford, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, June 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 44:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And term two big one that will be.

0:09

I don't think we've got a company for that.

0:13

Oh, this is how it's no.

1:15

So they won't let me turn to the system.

1:30

So that's why I think we're gonna buy your moon.

1:43

Dare to be different.

1:45

Yes.

1:58

Okay.

2:06

Oh, because of I'd like to call the order of the planning and development committee meeting for Monday, June 8th, 2026.

2:16

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

2:19

Here.

2:33

Thank you.

2:35

Um our first item is an approval for the proposed funding agreement with comprehensive community solutions, CCS to expand prevention and intervention programming in collaboration with the City of Rockford's Community Healing Center in the amount of four hundred thousand dollars.

2:49

The fun the funding sources can just funds.

2:52

So I have a motion to approve.

2:56

I'll second.

2:58

Um are there any questions or comments?

3:02

Okay, I just I have a question.

3:06

Can you second being that you were more than likely to do that?

3:09

Oh, I'm sorry.

3:11

I'm upstairing.

3:12

I apologize.

3:14

Force a habit.

3:29

Are you waiting with that was my question?

3:34

Oh, okay.

3:35

All right, we have a first no second.

3:39

All right, we'll move it.

3:40

Hold on, all the chairman.

3:42

Who made a motion?

3:45

Yeah, so we're looking for a second.

3:47

Um regards to where you're at.

3:52

So I and item number one correctly.

3:55

Correct.

3:56

We have we had a motion and a second already there.

3:59

I accidentally second.

4:00

I cannot second, I'll be upstairing.

4:04

We are looking for a second.

4:09

Okay.

4:11

Item does not pass, we'll move on to item two.

4:14

Item two is an approval for the proposed funding agreement with goodwill in partnership with IBEW local three sixty-four for electrical workers' trades program to better prepare individuals for IBEW application process and the amount of eighty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-two dollars.

4:28

The funding sources casino funds.

4:30

Do I have a motion to approve?

4:32

So uh I will second that.

4:37

Um do we have any questions or comments?

4:42

Can I get a few more?

4:42

Alder Alderman Durkey.

4:45

Thank you, ma'am chair.

4:46

Just a quick comment.

4:48

This is now um going uh to comments that have been previously made about redundancy and funding.

5:00

The backdrop of all this is we are facing a pretty big budget deficit.

5:04

As it relates to this particular item, the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers, although they're uh you know they're trying to do a human job trying to get individuals back up to some math and reading proficiency, they actually already have a program at Rock Valley College where these uh these folks are channeled in and the uh remediation program to get people uh high school graduates up to where they should be in math and reading and writing is far more robust than this program, and um interestingly uh it's redundant and it's not as good as the program that already exists at Rock Valley.

5:53

So I I don't under I I don't I I couldn't support this because we already have something in place that's far more robust unless somebody can correct me on that I'll be happy to respond, Gerald uh Alderman.

6:15

We work directly, good Goodwill and IBEW Local 364 to come up with this program.

6:22

Um they identify uh what they see as weaknesses and individuals being prepared to take their test.

6:29

Uh we they work directly with Goodwill to build the curriculum.

6:33

They will actually also be investing in this program by providing uh a trainer to help bring individuals along historically when we worked with the unions and discussed uh where their applicants are coming from.

6:48

We have a lot of applicants uh that are coming from outside the city of Rockford, and we felt that this program was important on identifying Rockfordians that uh are often overlooked with the focus of individuals of color.

7:04

Um we know that they're underrepresented in many of the trades, um, and we believe that goodwill um has a track record of identifying those individuals, working alongside other partners such as IBEW to get these individuals prepared to take the IBEW test and have better outcomes uh than what we've seen.

7:25

Um so that's why we discussed this proposal.

7:29

Whether you know, RBC existing program is more robust than this program, you know.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Workforce Development███████████████████████████████████35%
Economic Development████████████████████████24%
Youth Programs█████████████████17%
Cannabis Regulation█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Racial Equity██2%
Zoning And Land Use██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Rockford Planning & Development Committee Meeting – June 8, 2026

The Planning and Development Committee met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall. The agenda consisted of six proposed funding agreements using Cannabis and Casino funds, as well as a TIF development agreement. Items covered violence prevention, workforce training, youth programs, and business retention. One item failed due to lack of a second; the remaining five were approved after debate.

Consent Calendar

  • None. Each item was considered individually.

Discussion Items

1. Funding Agreement with Comprehensive Community Solutions (CCS) – $400,000 (Cannabis Funds)

The chair called for a motion and second. A motion was made, but after confusion over seconds, no valid second was obtained. The item was declared not passed and was not discussed further.

2. Funding Agreement with Goodwill & IBEW Local 364 – $85,172 (Casino Funds)

The program aims to prepare 30 individuals (ages 17–25, with a target of 70% people of color and women) for the IBEW electrical workers’ test. Alderman Durkey opposed, arguing the program is redundant with Rock Valley College’s existing trades program and that eight weeks is insufficient to prepare for a rigorous exam. Staff (Gerald) responded that the program is a direct partnership with IBEW to prioritize Rockford residents, especially people of color, and that IBEW will assist graduates in entering other trades if they do not pass the electrical test. Alderman Thomberg asked about funding sources (casino, not Excel) and whether the 70% target is a requirement (it is not). Alderman Bell suggested adding the CEGA Hub (Zion West) as a partner to pipeline trained individuals. Alderman Meeks asked about a guarantee of an interview (yes) but not a job. Alderman McNamara asked about outcomes if candidates are not placed; staff noted they would be networked to other trades. Mayor McIntyre added that RVC’s program serves a six-county area, while this one focuses on Rockford. After debate, the item passed on a voice vote.

3. Funding Agreement with Angelic Organics Learning Center / Farmers Rising – $822,000 (Casino Funds)

The proposed mobile grocery store received a motion and second. No discussion specific to this item occurred; the chair moved to the next agenda item after Alderman Durkey’s comments that appeared to address a later item.

4. Funding Agreement with Citied Foundation – $25,000 (Cannabis Funds)

The program, at Auburn High School, supports the Early Birds Social Work Development Program. Alderman Durkey questioned why the city is funding District 205 when property taxes already support schools. Staff clarified this is not funding the district but a nonprofit program with a track record from prior $10,000 Recovery funding. No further questions; item passed on a roll call vote (names called: “No” and “Neil”).

5. Funding Agreement with Zion West – $25,000 (Cannabis Funds)

The youth training and mowing program’s total budget is $45,000, with $25,000 from the city. Alderman Meeks asked about additional funding sources. Alderman Durkey suggested using the youth to mow city properties. Staff noted past partnerships mowing Winnebago County trustee lots and land bank properties, and that Zion West currently mows commercial lots. Alderman Thomberg questioned language emphasizing the 13th ward; staff explained the focus historically on Ellis Heights due to high need, but it is not exclusive. Alderman McNamara requested a running total of cannabis fund allocations; staff reported that if all proposed cannabis items are approved, approximately $300,000 would remain in 2026. Item passed.

6. Development Agreement with Cord Construction – $100,000 (Jackson School TIF District)

The agreement supports rehabilitation of 1322 East State Street, a business retention project for a long-standing construction company. Alderman Meeks questioned the TIF scoring system, noting the project scored 225 points, which falls on the border between mid- and high-priority. She suggested the city council might review the scoring policy. Staff confirmed the scoring was adopted in 2015–2016 and offered to send the policy to council for potential amendments. Alderman Meeks also asked about other TIF-funded projects in this district (a dialysis center and Swedish American Foundation) and noted the TIF district is small and nearing termination. Item passed.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1 (CCS, $400,000): Failed – no second obtained.
  • Item 2 (Goodwill/IBEW, $85,172): Approved after extended debate.
  • Item 3 (Mobile Grocery Store, $822,000): Approved without discussion.
  • Item 4 (Citied Foundation, $25,000): Approved.
  • Item 5 (Zion West, $25,000): Approved.
  • Item 6 (Cord Construction, $100,000): Approved.
  • Staff will provide the TIF scoring policy to the City Council for review.
  • The remaining cannabis fund balance after these approvals is approximately $300,000.

Meeting Transcript

And term two big one that will be. I don't think we've got a company for that. Oh, this is how it's no. So they won't let me turn to the system. So that's why I think we're gonna buy your moon. Dare to be different. Yes. Okay. Oh, because of I'd like to call the order of the planning and development committee meeting for Monday, June 8th, 2026. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Here. Thank you. Um our first item is an approval for the proposed funding agreement with comprehensive community solutions, CCS to expand prevention and intervention programming in collaboration with the City of Rockford's Community Healing Center in the amount of four hundred thousand dollars. The fun the funding sources can just funds. So I have a motion to approve. I'll second. Um are there any questions or comments? Okay, I just I have a question. Can you second being that you were more than likely to do that? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm upstairing. I apologize. Force a habit. Are you waiting with that was my question? Oh, okay. All right, we have a first no second. All right, we'll move it. Hold on, all the chairman. Who made a motion? Yeah, so we're looking for a second. Um regards to where you're at. So I and item number one correctly. Correct. We have we had a motion and a second already there. I accidentally second. I cannot second, I'll be upstairing. We are looking for a second. Okay. Item does not pass, we'll move on to item two. Item two is an approval for the proposed funding agreement with goodwill in partnership with IBEW local three sixty-four for electrical workers' trades program to better prepare individuals for IBEW application process and the amount of eighty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-two dollars. The funding sources casino funds. Do I have a motion to approve? So uh I will second that. Um do we have any questions or comments? Can I get a few more? Alder Alderman Durkey. Thank you, ma'am chair. Just a quick comment. This is now um going uh to comments that have been previously made about redundancy and funding. The backdrop of all this is we are facing a pretty big budget deficit.

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