Mayor Tom McNamara took office as the 41st mayor of Rockford on May 1, 2017. He was re-elected on April 6, 2021 and sworn in to a second term on May 3, 2021.
Prior to becoming Mayor, Tom served the community for four years as 3rd Ward Alderman, representing constituents on Rockford’s east and west sides, as well as downtown. As Mayor, Tom has focused on developing and implementing plans to reduce crime, increasing police technology and training, strengthening neighborhoods and schools and encouraging economic development. He has worked to reduce the city’s property taxes and has appointed members to commissions and board who are fiscally responsible and share a likeminded responsibility to use taxpayer funding efficiently and effectively.
Among the general accomplishments of Mayor McNamara and his team:
Led a team that saw an overall 16 percent reduction in violent crime rates.
Formed the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking Prevention
Opened the state’s only Family Peace Center to support DV/HT survivors
Implemented the largest Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) in the City’s history to improve Rockford’s streets, bridges and infrastructure.
Aggressively worked to reduce the impact of blighted commercial and residential properties.
Recapitalized the Northern Illinois Community Development Corporation (RLDC) partnership of 10 banks to provide $4 million to support small business owners.
Obtained a casino license for Rockford, welcoming the Hard Rock Casino to the community, pending Illinois Gaming Board approval.
Supported the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and its role as an economic engine for the region. More than 8,500 employees now work on RFD’s 3,000+ acre property, which is now the 19th largest cargo airport in the US and the fastest-growing cargo airport in the world.
Restructured Head Start to increase the number of young children who can access the program
Increased the profile and impact of Rockford Promise, to make college more accessible and affordable for RPS 205 students, including forming the Rockford Promise/Northern Illinois University Scholarship Program, which allows RPS 205 students to attend NIU tuition-free.
Retired the last of the City’s long-term road debt.
Reduced the City’s property tax levy each year since taking office. The tax rate is now under 2.9 percent, a 3.3 percent decrease from 2019.
Maintained an overall City workforce with one-third fewer non-public safety staff than our peer communities.
Established the Community Relations Commission to advise the City on social justice, law enforcement, and discrimination and equality/equity issues.
Led Rockford in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including establishing a joint City/County Emergency Operations Center, launching the Rebounding Rockford working group, develop a loan program to aid small and medium-sized businesses and secured state and federal funding to support businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Led the community conversation and action on issues of social justice, equity and equality, including reforms to law enforcement procedures and policies and the passage of a body-worn camera program that will take effect in 2021.
Mayor McNamara serves on many boards across the community, including the Alignment Rockford Governing Board, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Illinois Community Revitalization Task Force, Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors, JB Pritzker’s Budget and Innovation Team, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board of Directors, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Workforce Connection Board.
The mayor is a graduate of Rockford’s Boylan Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and criminology and a master’s degree in non-profit administration, both from John Carroll University in Cleveland. He and his wife Sarah live with their two children in the Churchill’s Grove neighborhood.
The mayor's topic "Rockford Concerns - Finding Solutions" will cover what he feels are the greatest concerns facing Rockford in the near future. The mayor always gives an interesting and informative program and this one will be no exception. It will be an opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall. President Pete will introduce the mayor and act as Rotary host.
Kathi Kresol has worked at the Rockford Public Library for years and loves sharing her enthusiasm for reading in any way possible. Currently serving as a Library Branch Manager and Mobile Library Manager, Kathi loves the challenges of serving the public in her historic library branch, as well as bringing Rockford Public Library resources into new and different locations and neighborhoods.
A member of the Rockford Historical Society, Kathi is always digging through Rockford’s past and she gives all the credit for her research skills to local history specialists Jean Lythgoe and Jan Carter of the Rockford Public Library.
Kathi Kresol has been researching the history of Northern Illinois for twenty years. She has published two solo books: “Murder & Mystery in Rockford, Illinois,” (2015); and “Haunted Rockford, Illinois,” (2017). Kathi has also collaborated with other local authors and shared articles in three books featuring compilations of Rockford authors.
Kathi shares the stories she researches in presentations for local organizations and in events sponsored by the Rockford Public Library and her business Haunted Rockford events. The local newspaper, Rock River Times has shared Kathi’s stories for several years. Her column “Voices From The Grave” has allowed Kathi to share her passion for history with a larger part of Rockford’s community. She is always honored when someone mentions reading one of her stories.
Kathi’s main goal in sharing her stories, whether they are true crime, ghost stories, or local history, is to honor the lives of the men, women and children who came before. Some of the stories reflect a tragic moment in these people’s lives; but Kathi also tries to show the courage that the survivors displayed as they move forward from what must have been the worst moment in their lives. She also hopes that these stories illuminate the compassion that the folks of Rockford have always displayed for those who are suffering.
Kathi tries to weave history and legend together with personal experiences in sharing ghost stories. Her goal is not to convince anyone to believe in ghosts, but to invite folks to read the stories with an open mind and decide for themselves whether these tales are just interesting legends that have been passed down, or stores of actual ghostly encounters. Maybe it’s as Einstein once said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”
Kathi started teaching history using ghost stories when she homeschooled her children. Kathi loved the research and the ghost stories so much that she wanted to share them with more people. She found the perfect solution in forming Haunted Rockford Paranormal Tours in 2004. Haunted Rockford has given her the opportunity to work with some great people from all over Illinois and Wisconsin. Kathi feels honored that she can share the stories of the men, women, and children who settled Rockford and created such a rich history.
Besides researching, writing and organizing events, Kathi gives presentations over much of Northern Illinois on aspects of local history. She has been interviewed for several radio stations, local newscasts, and newspapers.
Kathi’s main inspiration comes from her four remarkable children and “the guy who brings her coffee,” her husband John. They all support her by allowing her to drag them to historical places, listening to the stories, helping her “look for the dead guys,” and putting up with her absences when she disappears to research or to write.
Kathi will entertain us with her stories of "Murder and Mayhem in Rockford". This will be an interesting and entertaining program and an excellent opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member. Dave Byrnes will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.
I will be sending the notes from the Club Assembly meeting out. A lot of good ideas and insight into our club and its history were brought up. Suzanne Shelain did a great job taking the notes.
Our committee meeting date has been changed to Thursday 3-21-24. Please think about which committee you would like to help and join them on 3-21-24.
We have more than doubled the District Governors goal for our club!!! Let’s keep it going!!! We have collected $427.00 so far which equals 5124 pounds.
The Wine tasting event at Artale raised $760.00 towards Polio Plus.
Save the Dates!!
Tuesday,March 19th @ 12:00 will be the BOD meeting at the Community Foundation. If you have an interest in serving on the BOD please contact Mike Foreman or Pete Rundquist.
Tuesday, April 16, University Club Guest Bartender night - all tips benefit Polio Plus.
Please feel free to bring a guest to any and all the listed events - the more attend, the more possible new members and/or proceeds
Each week we will be publishing a message from the Rotary International Foundation. This week's message is:
WHAT MAKES A GLOBAL GRANT APPLICATION SUCCESSFUL?
Consult with local experts early in the planning process to build a strong project plan and global grant application. Your application needs to clearly describe how your project, scholarship, or vocational training team:
• Responds to real community needs
• Aligns with one of Rotary’s areas of focus
• Actively involves Rotary members and community members
• Meets the eligibility requirements in the grant terms and conditions
• Includes measurable goals •
Will be sustainable and successful long after the global grant funds have been spent
If you need help, contact your district international service chair. The district resource network is made up of members with expertise in project planning, the areas of focus, and Rotary Foundation grants.
Our grant system empowers members to design projects with lasting benefits for communities.
Starting with our September 7th meeting, we will be having lunches at our noon meetings. We will be starting with a package from Beef-A-Roo. It will consist of a Wrap, salad, chips, cookie, and a soda or water. There will bea variety of meats in the wraps. This is a work in progress and things may change. Lunches will start on September 7, 2023 and will be available at 11:45 AM the day of the meeting.
PLEASE. If you plan to bring a guest, PLEASE let us know 3 days in advance so we can make arrangements for food. It will be your responsibility to cover the cost at $12.50 per meal.
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