Category Archives: City of Freeport

The Nation Celebrates Martin Luther King’s Birthday and Legacy on January 20

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On November 2, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan signed into law House of Representatives Bill Number 3706 declaring January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday. His birthday is now observed on the third Monday of January.

In Freeport there will be a celebration of his birthday at the Boys and Girls Club at 511 S. Liberty Avenue, Freeport at 5 pm. The community is invited to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King through song, dance and praise. Praise and worship service from 5 to 6 pm, and the program begins at 6:15 pm with the theme “Strength to Love” with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Board, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Rockford as guest speaker. 815.233.1600

Freeport City Council Starts New Year By Approving Rental Housing Computer Program for $11,595 Plus Annual Fee of $1,595 With No Dissenting Votes!

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Give the bureaucrats a new program and they will figure out how to spend money. The program already has two employees (half time each) and next they will request new offices to house the program! This is just the start – after that will come a new building devoted entirely to the rental program. Look at Freeport Township – its own building. It’s good to know that Freeport has the unlimited funds to finance such ventures!

First Freeport City Council Meeting for 2014 Rescheduled for Monday, January 13 (Postponed on January 6 due to Extreme Cold) – Deputy Chief Wants to Spend $11,595.00 for a Computer Program for Rental Housing Registration Plus $1,595 Annually for Maintenance Fees!

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The meeting will be at 6:00 pm in City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor.
If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

Items of interest:

Resolution to approve spending $32,100 for a preliminary Site Investigation for the Jane Addams Trail.

Request for approval from Deputy Police Chief, James Drehoble, to spend $11,595.00 for a Rental Property Registration and Crime Free housing software from Dynamic Design Software located in Bonita, California. In addition the program has an annual maintenance fee of $1,595.00. Pretty expensive program for a City the size of Freeport. In five years the City will spend almost $20,000 on a computer program for the Rental Program. I guess the City just wants to help a business in California!

For the complete agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140113.pdf

Most Area Schools Closed Monday January 6 Due to Extremely Cold Weather Including Freeport and Rockford. First Freeport City Council Meeting for 2014 –

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It is scheduled for Monday, January 7 at 6:00 pm in City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor.
If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

One item of interest is a resolution to approve spending $32,100 for a preliminary Site Investigation for the Jane Addams Trail.

For a complete agenda go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140106.pdf

FHN Sponsors Special Showing of White Christmas

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As Part of FHN’s Festival of Trees, don’t miss a special showing of White Christmas at the Lindo Theater in Freeport at 1 pm. and 7 pm on Wednesday, December 18.

FHN welcomes Alan Wenzel and Ed Finch to White Christmas! Wenzel and Finch, hosts of the popular Classic Movie Series at the Lindo Theatre, will welcome movie-goers at both shows with historical tidbits and movie trivia about the film, and will lead a brief discussion about this holiday classic following each showing. Admission is a free-will offering and/or a food drive donation (barrels available for food contributions and monetary contributions will also go to the food drive). Designed to offer movie-goers the experience of viewing time-honored American Film classics on the big screen, the Classic Movie Series is hosted every spring and fall by the Lindo Theatre in Freeport in partnership with the Stephenson County Historical Museum and Highland Community College.

Last Freeport City Council Meeting of the Year Monday, December 16

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The Freeport City Council Meeting will take place on Monday, December 16 at 6:00 pm in
City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor.
If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

Some items of interest on the agenda:

Appointment of James Fox to Airport Commission through November 2018

2nd Reading of City and Library Levy Ordinances

1st Reading of Ordinance for Employment of the following:
Rental Property/Crime Free Housing Specialist
Residential Rental Registration Police Laison

Wonderful – 2 more people to enforce new Rental Registration Ordiance.

Resolution to give Downtown Development Foundation $50,000.

This shows what is important in Freeport. Rental properties and the downtown. Reach your own conclusions!

Approval of bid from GO Escavating, Inc., Freeport to demolish 2 buildings at 212 N. Cherry Avenue and 910 S. Galena Avenue in the amount of $19,500.
For the complete meeting agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20131216.pdf

Looks Like Another Cold and Snowy Weekend, But Here Are Some Good Events to Enjoy!

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Freeport Community Luminaria Night – On Sunday, December 15 enjoy the beauty of Freeport’s Stephenson Street and Lincoln Boulevard on Luminaria Night. Residents of the neighborhood around FHN Memorial Hospital decorate their sidewalks with luminaria to celebrate the season.

Community Festival of Trees – At the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport. This event brings non-profit organizations together to decorate trees and compete for cash prizes. A panel of judges will award prizes in a number of categories, and you can vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice competition. The trees will be on display unit January 2.

William R. Bear Men’s Basketball Tournament – December 13 – 14 at Highland Community College Sports Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport. Friday: 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm; Saturday: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm. Eight team Junior College men’s basketball tournament including: Harper, Iowa Central, Black Hawk East, Malcolm X, Midwest Elite Prep, Olney, Sauk Valley. Admission $5 815.599.3465

McConnell Cookie Walk and Santa Visit – 12 – 4 pm on December 14 at the McConnell Area Historical Society, 202 E. Main Street, McConnell. Select from a large assortment of homemade holiday cookies and other baked goods for Christmas gift giving. Santa will be there from 2 pm to 4 pm. Browse the museum decorated for the season. 815.821.2428

As Part of FHN’S Festival of Trees – more musical events this week

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HCC Youth Choir to Perform on Monday, December 9 – There will be a special free performance by the HCC Youth Choir at the Freeport Public Library. Join them at 5:30 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library for some lovely holiday music and cheer.

Singin’ at the King – This event will bring school choruses from across northwest Illinois together for a night of music beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at the King Community Campus, 511 S. Liberty Avenue, Freeport. The suggested admission price is one canned good or other food item for the FACC food pantry per person. (Santa will be there, too, so make sure the kids have their list ready!)

Looks Like a Cold and Wintery Weekend – Some Events You Might Enjoy!

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Hometown Christmas at Lena – Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8 pm.
Celebrate a hometown Christmas with a Christmas Lights Parade at 6 pm featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire engine, followed by a lighted parade. Streets will be lit with luminaries and a tree-lighting ceremony will be held following the parade. Horse and buggy rides will be offered. Participating businesses will be open for shopping with special sales and refreshments. A map of decorated homes will be available. A Community Giving Tree will be on display at Engel’s Jewelry and Gifts, 136 Main and children will be able to take their letters to Santa to the Blown Away Framing Store, 130 Main. For more information call 815.369.5549 or go to

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Breakfast with Santa December 7 – at the Lena Fire Station, 405 W. Railroad Street, Lena. 8 am to 10:30 am. Enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Play games in a kid friendly atmosphere and get your picture taken with Santa. Fun for everyone. Ages 7 and Above: $5; Ages 4 to 6: $2.50; Ages 3 and Under: Free. For information 815.369.4512

Community Festival of Trees – Sponsored by FHN at the Freeport Public Library,100 E. Douglas, FreeportNon-profit organizations decorate trees and compete for cash prizes. A panel of judges will award prizes in a number of categories, and you can vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice competition. The trees will be on display December 8 through January 2. Hours are: Sunday 1 to 4 pm, Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 8 pm, Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.

A Tuna Christmas at Winneshiek Playhouse – December 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm. See Good Day Illinois on December 3.

Northwest Illinois Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis – December 7, Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport. Registration from 7 to 8 am, Walk/Run at 8:30 am. Enjoy this annual event which offers a competitive 5K run/walk with chip-timing, and a 1 mile Family Fun Walk that welcomes friendly dogs on leashes to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. One of the largest 5K’s in the region. Plus fun activities, family health expo and Santa. Adults: $35 (run/walk with chip) or $30 (run/walk with no chip); Youth 5 to 18: $20. For information call 815.971.6380.

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Don’t Miss A Tuna Christmas at Winneshiek Playhouse, December 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm

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At the nation’s oldest continuous amateur theatre located at 228 W. Clark, Freeport, Illinois,
This is a sequel to Greater Tuna which is one of a trilogy of plays written about the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. It’s Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest.

For more information go to http://www.winneshiekplayers.org/