Rockford IL Moving Companies

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois has a really bad reputation for its high crime and high incidence of truancy and percentage of high school drop outs. Winnebago County as a whole has had the highest crime rate in the state for years. Most of the crimes here are property crimes including motor vehicle theft, burglary, and gang-related incidences, and not person-to-person crimes. In a recent RRstar.com article, the high crime in the area was investigated and issues were spread out and explained. A local sheriff believes the high crime is due to a combination of truancy, drop-outs, and people losing their jobs. Rockford being so close to Chicago and Milwaukee with a major interstate connection near by, definitely also brings crime and drug activity to the area. However, city government and local residents are trying to turn things around in their troubled city home to over 150,000 people. There are many local institutions working together to turn the city of Rockford, Illinois around. One initiative that will have an effect of high crime is the Weed and Seed program, which uses a mixed approach to tackle crime. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will work to rid the streets of violent criminals and drug abusers while the community starts prevention, intervention, treatment and restoration programs. Despite the tough scenarios that Rockford, Illinois residents are trying to get passed their economic issues. Rockford still remains a great city to live in because of the affordable housing located in many historic neighborhoods and the locale of the major highways, rail services and one of the fastest airports in the country. People moving to Rockford, Illinois has a steady increase in home sales like the rest of the state. According to the Southern Business Journal, this is the ninth consecutive month for sales increases. There are plenty of Rockford Moving Companies doing very well with intrastate and interstate moves.

Economy:
Rockford, Illinois is known for its production of machine tools and auto parts. New businesses and industries getting established in Rockford are usually met with high success rates because of the various supports available for businesses and entrepreneurs. The major employers of Rockford are the Rockford School District, the city’s Health System, SwedishAmerican Health System, Hamilton Sundstrand with aerospace components, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, and the United Parcel Service. The Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department helps garner current successes and well as new businesses. This organization is setting aside funds to support a City-certified Enterprise Zone, revitalize the downtown area and help with developmental projects to further build business up. The local motto stands as: when local companies win, the region as a whole wins.

History:
The city of Rockford was founding in 1834 by Germanius Kent and named the village of Midway. It was aptly named because it was central location between his home in Galena and the city of Chicago. Daniel Shaw Haight soon joined Kent establishing a town on the east side of the Rock River across the way from the other establishment. Afterwards colleges began to sprout up throughout the city. In 1852, Rockford received an official charter to become a city. Soon enough, railroads, libraries, daily newspapers and settlers began moving into this part of town. It has always been a successful industrial hub and manufacturing center from then on.

Tourism:
In and around the quaint town of Rockford, Illinois, there is plenty of family fun to take part in. At the Burpee Museum of Natural History, there’s a new exhibit that everyone is talking about. “Jane: The Diary of a Dinosaur” features T. Rex and mammoth skeletal casts, coal forests, Native American exhibits, a green roof and even an underground connection to other museums. This is a great place to let loose and learn a thing or two. Another nearby attraction that all tourists should definitely check out is Historic Auto Attractions, which is a travel through time as much as it is a display of all kinds of cars and such. It holds the largest collection of presidential and world leaders’ automobiles including world-class limousines, John Dillinger’s getaway car, Elvid Presley’s personal car, Indy cars, TV Land cars and the Batmobile. Car lovers will definitely love this place. But, if you are trying to enjoy the outdoors on your Rockford getway then head for one of the many natural areas or state parks in the northern region of Illinois. There are many great things to say about the Anderson Japanese Gardens, voted amongst the top in the U.S. There are 12 acres to explore and lots of souvenirs to look through. Another place that guarantees family fun is the Curran’s Orchard. There are more than a dozen varieties of apples including Gala, MacIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan and Empire to snack on and then bring home. There is so much to do in Rockford, Illinois; no wonder people keep coming to Rockford to witness the good, unaffected by the bad.

Colleges/Universities:

• Rockford College
• Rock Valley College
• Rasmussen College

Interesting Facts:

• Early settlers of Rockford, Illinois called it the “Forest City” because of the green and lush woods alongside the Rock River. Individuals and local businesses still call their town the “Forest City,” “Forest Hills” or “Forest View.”
• Today Rockland is known to some as the “Screw Capital of the World” because billions of screws, bolts and fasteners come from this city for manufacturers all over the world.
• Famous residents of Rockford, Illinois include Jodi Benson, actress and voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Paris Bennett from the fifth season of American Idol.

Helpful Links:

• Rockford Official Website