Winnebago Board County Chairman Scott Christiansen abandoned plans for a vocational school in downtown Rockford.
He says the program, known as Winnebago County Works!, would duplicate programs already carried out by Rock Valley College and Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. Community leaders raised concerns about overstepping the county’s role as well as proposed startup costs. The Chairman withdrew a request of $600,000 in county operating support.
Christiansen had planned for the school to be located at the Rockford Rescue Mission. It would have provided adult education, skills training, as well as mentoring and tutoring services.