Outgoing Rockford City Council members plan next political moves

ROCKFORD, Sick. (WIFR) – Ald. Invoice Rose (D-Ninth Ward) chuckles at a teacher-related query.

Outdoors Rockford Metropolis Council chambers, the lawmaker and Northern Illinois College educator struggles summarizing his time on council into one grade.

“That’s a tough one,” suggests Rose. “If the worth is on the human worth, then I’d give us an A.”

On Monday, Rose is certainly one of three council members who sits of their remaining, full assembly. Whereas there’s no climactic vote or proposal on the ground, every lawmaker walks into the chamber smirking; in outgoing interviews, some trace at what’s subsequent.

The environment feels extra like the top of highschool than a metropolis council assembly: Rose shakes palms with Metropolis Corridor workers and thanks them for his or her service.

Ald. Isidro Barrios (D-Eleventh Ward) and Ald. Jeff Bailey (D-Thirteenth Ward) be a part of the goodbyes as nicely – greeting some within the viewers or workers in attendance.

“It was an honor to serve the residents of Rockford,” claims Barrios in an interview with the chamber behind him.

He brings a listing of accomplishments since he took on the council function in March 2023 (following the dying of Tuffy Quinonez). Objects embody the Barber Colman Venture, the Laborious Rock On line casino Rockford, bettering public security and serving to yearly pump greater than six billion gallons of water throughout the Metropolis of Rockford.

Rose notes related accomplishments throughout his time: pushing the Metropolis of Rockford by the COVID-19 pandemic, passing town’s largest infrastructure funds and reforming the Rockford Police Division.

“Issues that I put ahead weren’t all the time the most well-liked, however I did them as a result of I knew that they have been the suitable factor to do,” says Rose – referencing the Barber Colman project labor agreement vote and measures taken for COVID-19.

Every lawmaker passes classes from their political expertise to those that will take their council desk.

“Serving in authorities just isn’t for the weak,” displays Rose. “You’re doing what’s proper for residents, not curiosity teams.”

For Rose, political activism doesn’t finish on Might 5 – when incoming council members will likely be sworn in. As a substitute, he encourages group members to “keep tuned” as he plans.

On April 15, Barrios told WIFR he was in “early talks” to change his metropolis council seat for a desk on the Winnebago County Board. The transfer would change him with soon-to-be former board member Jaime Salgado – who beat Barrios for his metropolis place within the February primaries.

Earlier than taking the Rockford place, Barrios served on the county board till filling Quinonez’s seat.

When requested for an replace on the doable swap, Barrios redirected the query to Winn. Co. Chairman Joe Chiarelli.

“It’s his resolution to announce what’s occurring in Winnebago County,” states Barrios.

Bailey wasn’t obtainable for an interview on Monday. His substitute, Alderman-elect Tamir Bell, watched Bailey’s remaining council from just a few toes away within the viewers.

“We’re prepared for the subsequent council for this season,” closes Barrios.

Might 5’s metropolis council assembly will see Bell, Alderwoman-elect Daybreak Granath and Alderman-elect Jaime Salgado change Bailey, Rose and Barrios (respectively).

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara may even be sworn in for his third time period.

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