News
September
PRESS RELEASE: Accelerator Award Funding Available from WCCMHB
Connection Point: September Newsletter
august
Connection Point: July/August Newsletter
july
june
Connection Point: June Newsletter
MAY
News Release: Public Comment Period Open for FY2025 Transportation Improvement Program
News Release: Public Feedback Requested for CAP/CEDS/MTP Goals and Strategies
Connection Point: May Newsletter
APRIL
News Release: Mental Health Board Announces Funding Decisions for Core Programs
Connection Point: April Newsletter
mARCH
News Releases: MPO Complete Streets Design Standards Public Input Requested
Connection Point: March Newsletter
FEBRUARY
Connection Point: February Newsletter
JANUARY
Connection Point: January Newsletter
News Release: MPO Safe Streets For All Public Input Requested
News Release: Emerging Industry Clusters Report Public Input Requested
DECEMBER
News Release: MTP Survey Available for Public Comment
november
News Release: Mobility Hubs in Rockford Region Study Available
News Release: $70 Million Available for Mental Health Initiatives - Call for Projects
OCTOBER
Connection Point: October Newsletter
September
Connection Point: September Newsletter
Drive Electric Week Schedule of Events
News Release: R1 Receives $166,360 Grant to Fund Plans to Modernize Parking in Rockford Region
News Release: Call for Projects for Surface Transportation Block Grant
News Release: Community Invited to Open Houses to Improve Northern Illinois
august
Connection Point: August Newsletter
News Release: WCCMHB Strategic Plan Open House Events
July
Connection Point: July Newsletter
JUNE
Connection Point: June Newsletter
News Release: Region 1 Planning Council Hosts Workshops for Regional Planning Efforts
May
Connection Point: May Newsletter
Stateline Communities Receive Grants to Clean Up Brownfield Sites Though $7 Million Investment
EPA Sends $1M to Rockford region to Cleanup Polluted Brownfield Sites. Here are the focus areas
News Release: Region 1 Planning Council Awarded $1 Million Brownfields Grant
APril
Connection Point: April Newsletter
MARCH
Connection Point: March Newsletter
Winnebago County Leaders Make Fixing Blight a Top Priority
$375K Coming to Rockford Planning Council for Modern Rail Assessment
Rockford Receives $375K Funding for Passenger Rail Study
Rockford High Schoolers Lead Meeting on Transportation Concerns
USDOT Debuts Reconnecting Communites Pilot Program
February
Connection Point: February Newsletter
Community Input Needed for Health Improvements in Winnebago, Boone county
News Release: Community Survey: Rockford Regional Health Council Healthy Community Survey
Region 1 Council Launches Mobility Hubs Survey
News Release: Mobility Hubs Community Survey
News Release: Call for Projects: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Region 1 Planning Council Receives Over $400K Grant to Improve Roadway Safety
Region One Planning Council to Receive More than $400,000 to Make Transportation Safer
News Release: Regional Collaboration Leads to Federal Safe Streets for All Grant Award
january 2023
Duckworth Highlights Job Creation, Investment, and Economic Growth in Northern Illinois
R1 Planning Council Earns Designation for it Economic Development
Region 1 Planning Says That More Jobs Are Coming to the Stateline
Rockford-Area Planning Council Looks to Land More Economic Development Dollars for Region
News Release: Region 1 Earns Federal EDD Designation
News Release: WCCMHB Public Participation Survey
News Release: Transportation Resiliency Study Available for Public Comment
DECEMBER 2022
Connection Point: December Newsletter
Rockford is Installing New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Downtown
Rockford Installs New EV Chargers Downtown
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed in Downtown Rockford
Downtown Rockford Gets New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
News Release: Notice of Funding Opportunity Program Year 2023-2024
NOVEMBER 2022
News Release: Public Participation Plan Available for Public Comment
Rockford Subdivision Becomes City’s First All-Electric Neighborhood
Affordable, Energy Efficient Houses to be Built in Rockford
Rockford Partnership Brings Affordable Housing to the Surrounding Community
New Homes Coming to West Rockford Subdivision That Was left Incomplete Years Ago
Riverside Multi-Purpose Pathway Gets Feasibility Study Approved
Region One Planning Council Team Up With Habitat for Humanity to Bring Homes to Teachers
Half-built, Rockford Subdivision That’s been Dormant for Years to Get New Lease on Life
News Release: Community Survey - Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
News Release: Call for Projects: Transportation Alternatives Program
Local Partnership to Unveil New Residential Development in Rockford
October 2022
Rockford Receives more than $1M in Federal Funds to Help Combat Domestic Violence
$1M+ for Crime Prevention, Intervention Coming to Rockford through Federal Grants
September 2022
Connection Point: September Newsletter
Cycle on 2nd Return for a Fourth Year
More than $800K in IDOT Grants Awarded to Local Planning Efforts
Virtual Public Engagement Meeting on the Proposed Site of a Passenger Rail Station in Belvidere, IL
Plans for Belvidere Train Station Take Shape
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: August Newsletter
News Release: STBG Call for Projects
Rockford to Host 2022 IDOT Conference
News Release: R1 to Host IDOT Fall Planning Conference
Blink Charging Announces Record Second Quarter 2022 Results
J U L Y 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: July Newsletter
Region 1 Planning Council Joins City Market, Teaching The Community About Electric Vehicles
News Release: #R1DriveElectric Week Begins Today!
Rev Your Engines; It’s Drive Electric Week
Drive Electric Week To Inform Community On The EV Industry
ComEd Hosts EV Car Show in Belvidere
Rockford Celebrate Drive Electric Week
Blink Charging Bags Award From Illinois Region 1 Planning Council
J U N E 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: June Newsletter
News Release: Jason Holcomb of R1 Named 40 Under 40 Recipient
News Release: Region 1 Planning Council Wins National Award For Its Land Bank
News Release: Community Survey: 2022 Winnebago County Transit Needs
New App Could Earn Rewards For Rockford Drivers
News Release: New App to Help Rockford Drivers Avoid Traffic
M A Y 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: May Newsletter
News Release: R1 Hosts It’s First Land Bank Luncheon
How This Belvidere Home Went From Problem Property to $190K Listing
Land Bank Press Conference: City of Belvidere Completes 1st Land Bank Home
News Release: R1 Releases First Annual Report
A P R I L 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: April Newsletter
News Release: Don Gillingham Joins R1 As Consultant
News Release: Mental Health Programs to Extend Operations Via Half-Cent Sales Tax Funding
News Release: Federal Grant Awarded to Positively Impact Businesses in Region
M A R C H 2 0 2 2
Connection Point: March Newsletter
News Release: R1 Resiliency Initiative – 3-Year Plan
Region 1 Planning Council Seeks Input On Anti-redlining Document
R1 Seeks Public Comment on Title VI Document
News Release: Cesar Sanchez Joins Region 1 Planning Council Staff
Winnebago County Mental Health Board Discusses How Funds Help Those In Need
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
News Release: Call For Projects - Surface Transportation Block Grants
News Release: RMTD Public Comment - Climate Action Plan
Winnebago County Homes At Auction For As Low As $1,000
More Than 500 Publicly Owned Properties For Sale In Winnebago County
News Release: Winnebago County Trustee Property Sale is Live
Winnebago County Mental Health Sales Tax Generations $15 Million. Here’s What’s Next.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2
The Connection Point Newsletter January 2022 Edition
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1
The Connection Point Newsletter December 2021 Edition
Local Leaders Confront Dramatic Rise In Pedestrian Fatalities
Region 1 Planning Council Seeking Input To Help With RMTD Climate Action Plan
News Release: R1 Gathers Survey Data for RMTD Sustainability Efforts
Study In Winnebago County Shows Local Art Drives Local Economy
News Report: Rockford’s Art Industry Plays ‘Critical Role’ In Economy, Community
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1
The Connection Point Newsletter November 2021 Edition
Safety, Access and Sustainability Are Key Factors In Rockford’s New $16 Million Grant Funding
More Than $16 Million Coming To Modernize, Improve Downtown
News Release: Partnership Results in $16.4 Million Grant for Rockford
News Release: R1 Resiliency Center Initiative to Enhance Regional Sustainability
News Release: Notice of Funding Opportunity and Updated Strategic Plan
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1
The Connection Point Newsletter October 2021 Edition
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
The Connection Point Newsletter September 2021 Edition
Region 1 Planning Council Educates Community On Eco-Friendly Rides
R1 Hosts Virtual Public Engagement Meeting & Survey on Solid Waste
Region 1 Planning Council Educates Community On Eco-Friendly Rides
A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
The Connection Point Newsletter August 2021 Edition
News Release: Region 1 Planning Council Presents - Drive Electric Week 2021
2020 Census Data Shows Decrease In Illinois Population
Illinois Census Data Show State More Diverse Racially And Ethnically Since 2010
Climate Report Shows Extreme Weather Changes In The Stateline
News Release: R1 Data - How Census Affected Population In The Rockford Region
July 2021
The Connection Point Newsletter: July Edition
Keith Creek Clean-up Seeks Volunteers To Help the Environment
News Release: Keith Creek Community Clean Up & Public Engagement Event
Region 1 Planning Council Gets $50K Broadband Grant
DOE Provides Assistance For Local Governments On Waste-To-Energy
News Release: Now Accepting Applications For Mental Health Board Seat
R1 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED AMONG 2021 pEOPLE yOU SHOULD KNOW
“ONE Magazine”, a Rockford Chamber of Commerce periodical, features Region 1 Planning Council’s executive director, Michael Dunn, Jr. Executive Vice President Caitlin Pusateri’s message reads, “…get to know our climbers…the ones who have spent time continually perfecting their craft, practicing, failing, learning, and persevering. They have reached out and p, and by doing so, have brought us all, as a community, to higher ground.”
JUNE 2021
IDOT Awards Millions to Winnebago Co., Loves Park - Interview with Michael Dunn
The Connection Point Newsletter: June Edition
News Release: Winnebago & Boone Counties to Revamp Solid Waste Management Plan
$8.8M In Total Grants To Support Mental Health In Winnebago Co.
A Winnebago County Sales Tax is Creating $8.8M in Grants This Year. Here's Where It Goes
Winnebago County Mental Health Board Announces 15 Grants For Services
News Release: Proposals Requested For Four Redevelopment Opportunities
News Release: Winnebago County and Loves Park Awarded $2.6M in ITEP Awards
MAY 2021
News Release: Freight Industry Stakeholder Survey
Response Requested for Completing Keith Creek Corridor Study
Disrupting Racial Inequality Through Co-Navigating Systems
Rockford mayor: City confronts pandemic-fueled 'economic and social destruction'
April 2021
The Connection Point: April Edition
Transportation safety plan for Rockford region available for public comment
March 2021
The Connection Point Newsletter: March Edition
News Release: Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Grant Update and 2020 Annual Report
Winnebago County mental health board reviewing grant applications
february 2021
The Connection Point Newsletter: February Edition
Taxes, job opportunity to blame for state population loss
News Release: 2021 Greenways Plan for the Rockford Region Available for Public Comment
2021 Greenways Plan available for public comment
News Release: Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan for the Rockford Region Available for Public Comment
Rockford looks to add more charging stations for electric cars
january 2021
News Release: Call for Projects: Surface Transportation Block Grant
News Release: Intergovernmental Collaboration Leads to Community Revitalization Grant Awards
News Release: Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Notice of Funding Opportunity
The Connection Point Newsletter: January 2021
2020 Year-in-Review Highlights Reel
Illinois, Rockford see population decline as moving to tertiary cities becomes growing trend
Mayor's View: More infrastructure work ahead in Freeport
Belvidere to turn abandoned properties into viable real estate
december 2020
News Release: Public Participation Survey Results
The Connection Point Newsletter: December 2020 Issue
2020 Excalibur Finalist Gary Anderson: Preserving Rockford history with a passion
Ill. Housing Development Authority approves $10M in community revitalization grants
November 2020
News Release: Trustee Property Sales Begin
News Release: Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Releases Public Participation Survey
October 2020
News Release: Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Update
News Release: Trustee Property Sales Begin
Census count ends Thursday for Rockford
2nd grant for Boone Co. Behavioral Task Force substance abuse program
SEPTEMBER 2020
News Release: Land Bank Sells First Property
The Connection Point Newsletter: September 2020 Issue
Rockford Leaders are urging residents to fill out their 2020 Census
Northern Illinois Land Bank makes a historic move in fighting area blight
August 2020
The Connection Point Newsletter: August 2020 Issue
Rockford to convert vacant and abandoned homes to ‘landbanks’
Region 1 Planning Council urges community members to participate in electric vehicle survey
Local board looking to improve mental health access for teens
Illinois Addresses the Digital Divide
jULY 2020
News Release: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – General Survey
News Release: Isaac Guerrero Joins Region 1 Planning Council Staff
Winnebago County Mental Health Board sets preliminary budget
Region 1 Planning Council officers elected
City of Rockford gets 2020 Census update
Jefferson Street Pedestrian Bridge is open
Bustos pushes for $1.5T infrastructure bill
Region 1 Planning Council welcomes new member
Region 1 Planning Council gets portion of $300K state grant program
$300K Awarded To City Of Harvey For High-Speed Internet Access
Gov Pritzker announces $300k to support broadband
McKinley Park Named Connected Community for Statewide Internet Program
Governor Pritzker encourages residents to fill out the census
Region 1 Planning Council names team member
Rockford park to expand after demo of former nursing home
Rockford pushes for full census count
jUNE 2020
News Release: Winnebago County Trustee Program Auction Results
News Release: Region 1 Planning Council Officers Elected
Rockford is one of the fastest-shrinking cities in the Midwest
Winnebago County Trustee Program holds first online auction
Fighting blight in Winnebago County: Online auction of orphan parcels generates $410k
Most Illinois metros smaller today than 10 years ago, including Peoria
2050 Rockford Metropolitan Transportation Plan available for comment
may 2020
Downtown Rockford revitalization project gets multi-million dollar state support
Rockford get millions for downtown renovations, could add more with federal grant
Rockford police beefing up tech to fight violent crime
Working groups plan stateline COVID-19 rebound
april 2020
News Release: Winnebago County Trustee Program
Majority of stateline has filled out census amid COVID-19 delays
Report: Stateline car traffic cut in half during stay at home order
Group promotes importance of completing 2020 Census
Accurate census count in jeopardy because of coronavirus
Winnebago County’s blight battle goes online
Illinois officials concerned coronavirus will impact census
Coronavirus jeopardizes accuracy of census count
march 2020
News Release: There is Still Time to Reply to the Healthy Communities Survey!
News Release: COVID-19 Impacts 2020 Census: College Students, Local Outreach
First-time Rockford-area voters make their voices heard
february 2020
News Release: Regional Complete Count Committee Hosts Local Officials Census Training
The Connection Point Newsletter: February 2020 Issue
Rockford buys Spanish-language advertising to prep residents for 2020 census
Audit sought on Winnebago County delinquent tax program
jANUARY 2020
News Release: Regional Complete Count Committee Kicks Off Census 2020 Community Count Initiative
Community members work to raise awareness for 2020 census
Group begins efforts to educate the public ahead of 2020 Census count
Stateline residents urged to complete 2020 census
Latino immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, encouraged to participate in U.S. Census
Census 2020: Why Every Citizen Should Answer 9 Questions
Census 2020 update: City of DeKalb awarded $74K for census advertising
december 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: December 2019 Issue
Rockford City Council prepares to welcome new decade with growing infrastructure
Freeport City Manager’s View: Freeport neighborhoods matter
RVC teaches skills today’s manufacturer’s need
Rockford needs to plan for surge in electric vehicles
Study looks at perception of crime in Rockford
Survey gathers the community’s perspective on crime in Rockford
Region 1 Planning Council named fiscal agent for funding in Rockford
Rockford will use grant to pay for crime-fighting tech
NOVEMBER 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: November 2019 Issue
Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority receives $250,000 from state of Illinois
Delinquent: Thousands of properties owe $23M in unpaid property taxes in Winnebago County
Rockford Chamber names 40 Leaders Under 40
Economic leaders in Rockford say manufacturing is growing, need to find skilled workforce
october 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: October 2019 Issue
Letter: Thanks for supporting Cycle on Second
Boone County overdose rate 30% higher than state average
Pritzker Administration Awards $20 Million to Local Organizations for the 2020 Census
Winnebago County Board adopts unique strategy to fight blight
Architect has future plans for Keith Creek in Rockford
IDHS: Pritzker Administration Awards $20 Million to Local Organizations for the 2020 Census
Trustee Program clears Operation’s Committee
SEPTEMBER 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: September 2019 Issue
Arson may be to blame for massive South Main building fire in Rockford
Vermilion County Land Bank goes regional to take advantage of new funding opportunities
City officials hope to make Church and Main two-way traffic lanes
AUGUST 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: August 2019 Issue
July 2019
The Connection Point Newsletter: July 2019 Issue
Goodwill’s LifeLaunch to target young offenders
$31M downtown Rockford street project focuses on pedestrians, public transit
june 2019
Rockford public safety survey deadline is Sunday
Local policy want your honest opinion on how they are doing
How bad is crime in Rockford? Local leaders want your input on survey
Beyond survival: Hospitals closing gap in getting opioid patients addiction treatment
R1 Staff Recognized Among Community Leaders
“Next Up”, a special section of Rockford Register Star, published June 30, 2019, featured four of Region 1 Planning Council’s team members. The cover page read, “Who will lead the Rock River Valley in the decades ahead? It’s the people in this community who will improve the social and economic well-being of the community and its residents.”
Jon Paul Diipla, the man behind Rockford’s transportation plan
[Tretara Flowers] Serving those facing barriers she once faced
April 2019
Winnebago County explores a remedy for neighborhood blight
march 2019
Rockford Area land bank gets to work
Reducing recidivism topic of discussion at Rockford workshop
january 2019
Land bank could revive blighted areas in the Rockford region
Regional council working on long-term transportation plan