News

By Susan Stephens

Sycamore, IL – The recession may be officially over, but small businesses are still struggling. Retailers are looking for ways to get customers in the front door: last week, the Chambers of Commerce in Rockford and Sycamore turned to a small business expert with some positive and simple ideas to turn things around. WNIJ's Susan Stephens reports:

By Guy Stephens

Rockford, IL – Rock Valley College's 2010 Studio Theatre Shakespeare Festival runs October 6-16. Two plays will be featured - The Tempest and Henry VIII. The opening night performance of Henry VIII marks an important milestone for the theater and its director, Michael Webb. It's the final play in Webb's quest to stage the complete works of William Shakespeare at the college. It's taken more than two decades to do so. WNIJ's Guy Stephens spoke to Webb recently about achieving his goal.

By Guy Stephens

Rockford, IL – People love their pets. But for many struggling families, the only way to keep food on the table is to give up that beloved companion. As WNIJ's Guy Stephens reports, a service in Rockford aims to keep that from happening.

By Christopher Hosken

Rockford – A new exhibit titled "Fine Art Fridges" is on display now at the Discovery Center Museum in Rockford. This exhibit includes a trio of recycled refrigerators re-imagined by Chicago-area artists. ComEd is footing the bill, with the hope that these art pieces will raise awareness about its appliance recycling program. WNIJ's Christopher Hosken visited with "Fine Art Fridges" artists Victoria Lucy and Mike Helbing and filed this report.

WNIJ news – The northern Illinois region stands to benefit from a capital investment plan announced by the governor. $100-million in funding is being doled out, to help local governments repair potholes, repave roads and replace traffic signals. The money will be distributed through the same formula that's used for the state's Motor Fuel Tax. Local governments in nine counties, including Winnebago, DeKalb and LaSalle, will share more than $6-million dollars of the announced funding. In addition to the infrastructure projects, officials say the move will help spur job growth.