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WINNEBAGO WRAP-UP
NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER
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Winnebago County Board Chairman Joseph Chiarelli on the importance of literacy | Uploaded by United Way of Rock River Valley on 10/30/2023. | | | |
NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
I enjoy writing to you every month as a way to update you on all we are working on across our various County departments, but this month I would like to take the time to share an important initiative close to my heart and one we can all work together on to make a difference in our community.
Did you know that only 32% of third graders in Winnebago County are reading at grade level? We have a literacy crisis in our community, and with our partners at United Way of Rock River Valley we have a bold goal of changing the narrative and raising that to 75% by the year 2034.
As the son of immigrants who was learning to read and write at the same time as my parents, I quickly realized that literacy is critical to lead a successful life. It is imperative that we address this issue and set up our children with the foundation needed to achieve a quality education.
In order to do so, everyone needs to be part of the solution! Here's how you can help:
- Donate to Winnebago County’s United Way campaign to purchase books for children
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Volunteer to read at wevolunteer.org
- Drop off new or gently used books to the donation box available at the Administration Building during November 14-30
- READ daily to the children in your life
Together as a community we can all give our children the best opportunities to read to succeed!
Sincerely,
Joseph V. Chiarelli
Winnebago County Board Chairman
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Chairman Chiarelli issued a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Winnebago County in recognition of the important work done by survivors, domestic violence programs and victim service providers in our community. Pictured are 17th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Clifford, Chair of the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council and Remedies Renewing Lives Vice President of DV Services, Becky Winstead, recipient of the 2023 Winnebago County "Shining the Light" Legacy Award. The proclamation encourages all citizens to actively participate in activities and programs sponsored by the FVCC and other community organizations during October and year round to work toward the elimination of all forms of domestic violence. | |
Domestic Violence Convictions | In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the City of Rockford Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention and the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office held a news conference to announce progress being made as they work together to improve the response to domestic violence in our community. The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office has started tracking the outcome of felony domestic violence charges and shared new data that shows the vast majority of those cases have ended with a conviction over the past three months. Using evidence-based prosecution strategies to improve outcomes for survivors, the SAO had an 88% conviction rate in DV cases in the last two months, as well as securing 17 convictions in cases involving stalking and aggravated stalking charges. | |
At the 3rd annual Marshmallow’s Hope Gala to support the organization's focus on mental health and suicide prevention for the youth, Chairman Chiarelli was recognized for Winnebago County’s support of Project 4114, an initiative aimed at providing a deserving veteran with a mortgage free home. The Winnebago County Trustee Program donated a property to be rehabbed and ultimately, gifted to a local veteran. Congratulations to this year’s veteran recipient, Bradley Scoville, for being chosen by the selection committee! Bradley will also be recognized at this year’s annual Veterans Day dinner coming up on Saturday, November 4 at the Embassy Suites. | |
Emergency Management Efforts | |
Chairman Chiarelli is happy to announce the appointment of new Emergency Service & Disaster Agency (ESDA) Coordinator Trent Brass. Brass comes to Winnebago County ESDA after a distinguished 23-year-career with the Rockford Fire Department. He retired last month with the rank of Fire District Chief. His extensive experience and training will be a major asset to the county.
Previous ESDA Coordinator, Kurt Whisenand, has moved in to a new role in the County as the Facilities Security Director. Whisenand's new responsibilities will include the oversight of security in and around the downtown campus buildings, including the recently added security at the County's Administration building.
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The Winnebago County Veterans Assistance Commission announced the appointment of Jesus Pereira as the VAC Superintendent. A 21-year veteran of the Army, Pereira will oversee the distribution of the organization's funds and supplies to benefit military Veterans and their families. His role will cover a wide range of responsibilities such as managing the daily operations, developing marketing initiatives and outreach programs, implementing strategies to improve efficiency, identifying training needs, as well as providing leadership and guidance to employees, volunteers, and clients. Under his leadership we are confident that all Veterans in Winnebago County will be aware of and have access to the valuable resources offered by the Winnebago County Veterans Assistance Commission! | |
Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli and Board Member Kevin McCarthy attended Nik’s Home Run, the annual fundraiser for the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation. Chairman Chiarelli was able to present a $1,000 donation to founder Kelli Ritschel Boehle. Inspired by her son’s cancer battle, Kelli started Nik’s Wish as a way to grant wishes for hundreds of young adults also battling cancer or other illness. More than $25,000 was raised through this year’s generous donations, enough to fulfill three wishes for deserving young adults in our community. To learn more about the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation and you help grant a wish in waiting, visit the Nik's Wish website. | | |
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River Bluff Hiring Expo
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | 4401 N. Main Street - Rockford, IL
Join us at River Bluff Health & Rehabilitation for an upcoming Job Fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to learn about available job openings & positions at our facility! River Bluff proudly provides a continuum of skilled nursing services including short-term rehabilitation stays, long-term intermediate care, and palliative and hospice care. Current openings include but not limited to: RN, LPN, CNA, MDS Coordinator, Infection Preventionist, Housekeeping, Maintenance and more. Please stop by to learn about the requirements, salary and benefits information and available career opportunities at River Bluff!
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Veterans Day Program
Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 211 N. Main Street - Rockford, IL
Please join us at Veterans Memorial Hall for our annual Veterans' Day Celebration and luncheon on Veterans Day! Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and we will begin our celebration at 11 a.m. with a Veterans Day proclamation by Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli. The Boone County Quilt of Valor, along with the Winnebago County Quilt of Valor, will present eleven local Veterans with quilts, sponsored by Sunshine Stitches. A Quilt of Valor (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war as a way to say "thank you" for their service!
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Stroll on State
Saturday, November 25, 2023 |State and Main streets - Rockford, IL
Stroll on State is held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving--Small Business Saturday--and is our region's kick-off to the holiday season. The 11th annual event happens from 2 - 9 p.m. The free community event in downtown Rockford features a parade, fireworks, tree lighting, musical performances, surprise visits from Santa, and so much more! Stroll on State is about experiencing the awe and wonder of what a community can do together. New this year, the snow-machines will make downtown feel like a winter wonderland! There will be four snow locations: State and Second streets by Rockford City Hall, State and Main near the RACVB, near the Iconic Energy Building (former Rockford Register Star), and inside a “larger than life” 20-by-20-foot igloo near Veterans Memorial Hall.
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