Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much Rockford’s Medicaid program really spends on radiology care
Spotted on the Rockford calendar: Woodsong Summer Concert - Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute
Hi Rockford! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How much Rockford's Medicaid program really spends on radiology care
- Which Rockford football standouts made—and missed—NFL rosters this week?
Also on today's calendar: Woodsong Summer Concert - Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Rockford Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Rockford Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Rockford. 
- Monday: Warmer; a stray a.m. t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Tuesday: Hot with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 90, low: 69.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Rockford Medicaid spending for radiology procedures reaches $3,117 in 2024 (rockfordsun.com) — Medicaid providers in Rockford billed $3,117 for radiology procedures in 2024, an 8% increase over 2023 but still only the 19th-largest local Medicaid category. Most of that spending came from ZIP code 61114, and radiology payments have nearly doubled since 2019. The report also notes broader state and federal Medicaid trends that could affect future local funding and coverage. 
• Rockford native Dean Lowry released by the Pittsburgh Steelers (mystateline.com) — Rockford native and Boylan star Dean Lowry has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL teams trimmed to 53‑man rosters, though he could land elsewhere or on a practice squad. Another local, former Rockford East lineman Robert Jones, was cut by the 49ers, while three other 815 standouts—Gennings Dunker, Vederian Lowe, and Keondre Jackson—secured spots on NFL rosters.
📸 Around Rockford
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Girls Tennis vs Rockford Lutheran HS @ East HS - Tennis Courts
Rockford East High School 1304 26th St, Rockford, IL 61108, USA
4:00 pm - Boys Soccer (JV & Var) @ Freeport HS
Rockford East High School 701 W Moseley St, Freeport, IL 61032, USA
5:00 pm - Girls Volleyball (Fr, JV & Var) @ Guilford HS
Rockford East High School 5620 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61114, USA
5:00 pm - Committee of the Whole Meeting
Fairview Early Childhood Center Rockford, IL 61108
5:30 pm - Evening Storytime
East Branch East - Children's Area
6:00 pm - Girls Flag Football @ Boylan HS
Rockford East High School 4000 St Francis Dr, Rockford, IL 61103, USA
5:00 pm - It's a Stitch!
East Branch East - Friends of RPL Community Room
6:00 pm - RPD Women's Soccer League
Atwood Center Mercyhealth Sportscore Two
6:00 pm - Woodsong Summer Concert - Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute →
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S Main St, Rockford
6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Sunday September 6
📣 Rockford Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- League Joe Slowpitch Draft League
Atwood Center Mercyhealth Sportscore One
6:00 pm - The Next Chapter Book Club →
Beef-A-Roo, 4601 Adamson Ln, Machesney Park
6:30 pm - Read-y or Not Book Group
Cherry Valley Public Library District 755 East State Street, Cherry Valley, IL, 61016, US
6:00 pm - Idea Zone 101: Sew a Rice Heat Pad
Cherry Valley Public Library District 755 East State Street, Cherry Valley, IL, 61016, US
1:00 pm
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:
- Beegoshop — 8154468485
- Mike's Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- MyChart pfishing scam alert: Health officials say if you get an unexpected message promising a MyChart reward, don't click the link.
Just delete the message, and contact your health care provider directly. From 69 News WFMZ Mini News (Nextdoor Gregwood) - This cat has been around our alley for a few weeks.
Camp and Ellsworth. When I first saw him he had a collar with what looked like a bell. Today I saw him with the collar around his waist. Could not… (Nextdoor Churchills Grove)
- XPO Logistics, Inc. posted a job opening for Forklift Operator - Part Time in Rockford. Apply here.
- Rockford Public Schools posted a job opening for 6th Grade Dual Language Teacher (26/27 School Year) in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.
🗞 Nearby News
Loves Park
- Northeast Family YMCA hosts 'Dog Days of Summer' pool event for local pets (mystateline.com)
- Nearly 200 participate in annual Loves Park 5K combating childhood obesity (wifr.com)
Winnebago
- Check out 18 top performers from Rockford-area Week 2 football games (rrstar.com)
- Drivers in Winnebago County see lowest diesel gas at $4.99 in week ending Aug. 22 (rockfordsun.com)
- Analysis: South Beloit Community Unit School District 320 administrators rank 321st lowest in state for average salary in 2025 (rockfordsun.com)
Roscoe
- Roscoe Fall Festival offers rides, games, parades and more (gazettextra.com)
Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
