State of the = City Speech 2008 - Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey

State of the City 2008

March 20, 2008

I. INTRODUCTION

Good Evening: Aldermen, elected officials, city = employees,=20 community leaders, and fellow citizens.

Welcome again to our beautiful Coronado Theater.

Let me start by thanking the Guilford High School choir = and their=20 talented director, Megan Wilson and thank the City of Rockford Fire and = Police=20 Color Guard.

When I took this stage two years ago for my first State = of the=20 City address, we committed to excellence and our vision for Rockford's = future.=20 Last year, we renewed that commitment, expanded our vision, and = demonstrated=20 that we can reach our goals by Leading Boldly and Working Together.

In 2008, I am proud to report on positive changes that = are=20 happening as we have challenged the status quo. Tonight, I am proud to = describe=20 a community - our community - which is demonstrating Excellence in = Action.

This past year we had moments of great success but also = extreme=20 challenge. Like many of you, both professionally and personally, I = experienced=20 with my family amazing highs and challenging lows.

As I stand here tonight looking at the faces of our = community=20 leaders, our citizens, and our students, I know in my heart that we are = a=20 community striving for excellence.

We are experiencing the signs of a community reaching = for=20 excellence. As we have seen, once committed to excellence, the easy path = is not=20 an option. Once committed to excellence, the painless path will evade = us. But=20 once committed to excellence, the rewards will be for the many rather = than just=20 the few.

By taking risks and overcoming our challenges, we are = building a=20 better community for our children. As John F. Kennedy said, "there are = risks and=20 costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range = risks=20 and costs of comfortable inaction." Ladies and gentlemen, there is no = other=20 choice but to continue our commitment to excellence.

As sure as our commitment stands strong, we will achieve = the=20 excellence we seek. As we report tonight on our progress, I can tell you = that:

We're building the foundation for economic success by investment = in our 3=20 R's: roads, rail, and riverfront development.=20
We're lowering crime by deploying new law enforcement strategies = and=20 community partnerships.=20
We're driving educational improvement by fighting truancy and = pushing=20 options for education.=20
We're reinventing basic management for running the city, = demonstrating=20 dramatic improvements in service.

And we're building an ever-stronger environment for = economic=20 growth.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're making great progress. We = said we=20 we're going to make major changes. Here's what change looks like. Here's = how=20 change feels. This is Excellence in Action.

II. EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

In April of 2007, the people of this City committed to = Rebuilding=20 Rockford when we passed our sales tax referendum. We voted for better = investment=20 in our roads. We also voted for better flood control and storm water=20 management.

This massive and important referendum victory sent a = message to=20 State and Federal leaders that we will do what it takes to match federal = and=20 state dollars to improve our community.

Unfortunately, it has been nine long years since the = State of=20 Illinois has passed a Capital plan. Progress has been stalled. = Opportunity has=20 been lost. We're still waiting for rebuilding major corridors in our = City.

Many felt the impact of that lack of investment with the = winter=20 pothole plague on state-owned roads like West State, North and South = Main, and=20 Kishwaukee. Roads like Alpine and Kishwaukee took a particularly hard = beating.=20 In fact, our data shows that crumbling State roads take up far too much = of our=20 time, energy, and money. We spent 88% of our pothole patching time in = January on=20 only nine roads. Nine roads! Of those nine roads, the State of Illinois = owns=20 seven.

This winter caused a record number = of=20 potholes. Our data clearly demonstrates that the upkeep of these = crumbling State=20 roads is taking up far too much of our time, energy, and financial=20 resources.

But with the passage of our sales tax, we are working as = fast as=20 we can to recover from decades of poor investment. Remember that John F. = Kennedy=20 quote? Well, that is the cost of "comfortable inaction."

I'm proud to say that our 2008 Capital Plan is the first = to use an=20 ongoing funding source that is not dependent on property taxes. Let me = repeat=20 that: for the first time we did not have to raise property taxes to fund = our=20 roads. In fact, we have reduced the City's property tax rate!

We will get where we need to be in repairing our long = ignored=20 roads, but it won't happen overnight. Remember, we had to fight hard = just to=20 override the governor's veto to begin our plan. Rockford would not be = deterred=20 then, and we will not be deterred now. That is what Excellence in=20 Action is all about.

For decades, Rockford gambled with its Flood Control = System. Last=20 year we faced the inevitable costs of long term, comfortable inaction. = We were=20 hit with our second 100-year flood in less than a year. In a few short = hours,=20 many of our people saw their homes and lives devastated.

Let me again recognize the incredible team that provided = immediate=20 help to flood victims. Our Police, Fire, Public Works, Human Services, = Building=20 and IT Departments, with countless other volunteers and agencies joined = our City=20 Council in coming to the aid of our community.

In August, we were hit with our = second 100=20 year flood in less than a year. Our Police, Fire, Public Works, Human = Services,=20 Building and IT Departments, with countless other agencies joined our = City=20 Council in coming to the aid of our community.

I am proud of our efforts. We acted quickly. We didn't = wait for a=20 federal bailout. Our City Council approved immediate repairs to Alpine = Dam. We=20 also worked with the Rockford Local Development Corporation to establish = a=20 unique home-buying program. In all, 112 families will soon be able to = move to=20 new homes. Thank you, fellow City Council members.

In fact, our program is so innovative that our City = Storm Water=20 Manager, Brian Eber - one of the architects of the program - has been = named=20 "Illinois Storm Water Manager of the Year". What a great honor! Let's = all give=20 him a round of applause.

In order to better prepare for future emergencies, we = teamed up=20 with Winnebago County. In record time, we received approval from State = and=20 Federal officials of our Multi-Hazard Mitigation plan. With that plan in = place,=20 we can apply for millions in federal and state grants. Let me take a = moment to=20 thank again Chairman Christiansen, who is a special guest tonight as he=20 celebrates his birthday!

As we look back on the past year, I think it's safe to = say, we've=20 had more than our share of disasters. This past winter was tough. In = fact, it=20 was the toughest on record. We had over 60 inches of snow. We = experienced=20 dramatic temperature extremes. For the second year in a row, we were = declared a=20 winter storm disaster area. While the conditions have been extreme, our = public=20 works employees rose to the occasion. Heading into this winter season, = our new=20 Public Works Director, Tim Hanson, had us prepared.

We practiced our core A.C.T.I.O.N. values to the letter. = We were=20 Accountable and Customer focused. We worked as a Team. We created = Innovative=20 procedures through Open communication. We Never gave up. Tim met early = and often=20 with our employees as well as City contractors.

The results spoke for themselves. Despite the record = snowfalls,=20 complaint volume was down. We have as our guests tonight many of the men = and=20 women that worked so hard to keep our streets clear. Let's take a moment = to=20 thank our crew for their excellent work.

With over 60 inches of snow and we = experienced=20 dramatic extremes in temperature, our public works employees rose to the = occasion and were prepared. The results spoke for themselves. Despite = the record=20 snowfalls, our complaint volume decreased dramatically.

But along with more snow came more potholes. Director = Hanson's=20 team has put together, however, a Three-Tiered action plan to solve the=20 problem.

Step One: We secured $80,000 in emergency funding for Alpine Road. =
Step Two: We began the repair of arterial roads, an effort that's = still in=20 progress.=20
Step Three: Repair work will move to residential streets, with = expected=20 completion in late April.

For our longer term solution, our Aldermen and staff = have created=20 a Neighborhood Program this year that invests $6 million dollars in our=20 neighborhoods, including the resurfacing of more than 350 city blocks. = Simply=20 put, this means better roads and a better future.

I'm also proud to report tonight that work continues on = all phases=20 of our water system rebuilding. These updates are critical and long = overdue. But=20 we're getting them done with your help. Ladies and gentlemen, we're = working=20 together to Rebuild Rockford.

Thank you again Rockford for passing our Rebuilding = Rockford=20 Referendum in 2007. That is Excellence in Action!

III. EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY

Now, when it comes to Public Safety, 2007 marked a = turning point.=20 While we have a long way to go, we should be proud of our efforts. We = are=20 working together across departments and across the community to make = Rockford a=20 safer place.

In 2007, we created a new Weed and Seed target zone on = the=20 near-east side along Kishwaukee Street. City Council provided financial = support=20 to launch a revitalized "Neighborhood Network" organization, training = and=20 organizing neighborhood leaders to improve our public safety = partnerships.

Also in 2007, we launched our Alternative Drug = Enforcement=20 strategy. This new effort has shut down drug houses, gotten drug dealers = off our=20 streets, and sustained reductions in open air drug markets. It's a new = community=20 partnership and it's working. It's a program that exemplifies = Excellence=20 in Action!

In 2007, we also passed a new Liquor Code that is = tougher on=20 violations. Through our new code, we have shut down businesses that have = brought=20 violence to our neighborhoods. The message we send to liquor sellers is = clear:=20 be proactive and prevent problems from arising in the first place.

This type of Weed and Seed approach is more than just = reducing=20 crime. It's also about eliminating blight and neighborhood decay. In = 2007, with=20 support from City Council, we combined resources from multiple = departments and=20 created our new "Code Enforcement" team.

Our new team members are accountable for specific areas = of the=20 City. We've equipped their vehicles with the latest technology so they = can spend=20 more time in the field and less time at City Hall. This means better = service and=20 better value for our citizens.

Tonight, we have several members of our Code Enforcement = team in=20 attendance. Let's give them a hand for the important work they are doing = for our=20 community.

In 2007, our Enforcement teams helped us eliminate = several major=20 obstacles to redevelopment. The "Inn Town Motel" had been one of those=20 obstacles. For years, it was known for crime, blight, and decay. But = last year,=20 our Building Department members of our Enforcement Team worked with our = City=20 Legal Department to condemn the building. We fought and won a court = battle and=20 our City Council provided emergency demolition funds.

Our teams were also instrumental in supporting the = Rockford=20 Housing Authority's efforts to demolish the Jane Addams projects. The = City had=20 been working with RHA for years. In 2006 permission was given to = demolish the=20 buildings. Unfortunately, an 11th hour lawsuit threatened to stop the=20 progress.

Through our work with the RHA and the leadership of Ald. = Victory=20 Bell and Ald. Doug Mark, we fostered a settlement of the lawsuit. Today, = those=20 buildings have been demolished. We're paving the way for future = growth.

To paraphrase Alderman Mark that day, 'it was a cold, = bitter,=20 stormy day' when we took down the Jane Addams housing project; but, 'it = was a=20 warm day in the hearts of many' as we witnessed the start of a new day = for that=20 neighborhood.

Problem Property Team and the Code = Enforcement=20 team were instrumental in supporting the Rockford Housing Authority's = (RHA)=20 efforts to demolish the Jane Addams projects, paving the way for future = growth=20 and development of the neighborhood.

I can't say enough about the support we have received at = our City=20 Council to maintain order in our neighborhoods. You know how important = this is=20 if you've ever had a car drive by your home or pull up to your car at a = stop=20 light only to be blown out by the noise of their car stereo.

In 2007, our City Council improved our quality of life = by passing=20 a tougher ordinance against loud car stereos. Thanks to that effort, = we're=20 impounding vehicles that violate our standards. We're bringing more = peace and=20 quiet to our neighborhoods.

As Winston Churchill once said, "no matter how beautiful = the=20 strategy, you should sometimes look at the results." Well, we've looked = at the=20 results when it comes to crime.

Thanks to innovative strategies, community policing = partnerships,=20 and "hot spot" policing, in 2007 we saw the overall crime rate drop by = 17%.

Let's take a moment to thank the men and women of our = police=20 department for their hard work in reaching this achievement. Change = isn't always=20 easy; but our success is Excellence in Action!

With that said, we need to do more. Handgun violence = continues to=20 dominate our community's concerns. In 2008, we need to continue our work = with=20 the State's Attorney's office to develop a system to track illegal = guns.

The vast majority of all guns used to commit a crime in = our=20 community are illegal handguns. We need to identify where those guns are = coming=20 from. We need to find out how they're getting into the hands of felons = and=20 children. We must do our part to improve enforcement locally. But, the = State=20 must also do its part to close the private gun sale loophole. Pending=20 legislation would do just that by requiring background checks on = secondary gun=20 transfers. I ask you tonight to call on our local state leaders to help = keep our=20 city safe by voting to close that loophole.

In fact, the criminal justice system must be improved at = all=20 levels: city, county, state's attorney, law enforcement, probation, and = the=20 judiciary. To make sure we are all improving, the County has completed = an=20 analysis identifying many gaps in our justice system.

To fill the gaps and ensure improvement, we must measure = performance, have rigorous follow-up, and transparent reporting. In = 2008, we=20 must challenge our justice partners to use that study to create better=20 accountability and better management systems. Like Churchill said, it's = about=20 looking at past strategies and honestly assessing results. Where results = are=20 lacking, new strategies must be deployed.

Part of our strategy in the City this year is to fully = implement=20 our ROCKSTAT management system within the Police and Fire Departments. = Our=20 Police Department also needs to develop a geographic basis for both = assigning=20 officers and holding our teams accountable for improvement.

This approach will differ from the old one of simply = assigning=20 responsibility to a "shift". Our geographic approach focuses on the = entire team=20 responsible for a specific "beat". Our "teams" are also made up of more = than=20 just police officers. Our other City departments as well as churches,=20 neighborhood groups, and citizens are on our team if we invite and = involve them.=20 That's what community policing is about. We only achieve = Excellence in=20 Action when everyone is involved.

Now, you may have noticed that there has been some media = coverage=20 and more than just a bit of noise regarding changes within the Police=20 Department. But isn't it our duty as leaders to make changes where we = know=20 change is necessary?

In fact, although we still don't have a decision from = the=20 arbitrator on the last Police and Fire contracts, we must prepare for = our next=20 contracts. We must return to the bargaining table this year to pursue = more=20 opportunities to improve.

To be effective and efficient, we will invite our Police = Union to=20 engage in honest dialogue on how to improve performance throughout the=20 department and reduce our unacceptably high crime rate.

Ladies and gentlemen, the notion that criminals don't = adapt to=20 police tactics is wrong. Our police department must have a culture that = monitors=20 and responds to change, however difficult and uncomfortable that might = be.

Let me say again, we MUST have the courage to confront = challenges=20 head-on and adapt! We must to be willing to turn our backs on what we = are and=20 concentrate on what we must become.

Will we make mistakes along the way? Sure. But what is = important=20 is not whether we risk making a mistake. What is critical is our pursuit = of=20 excellence through continuous improvement throughout our organization = and=20 throughout our community.

Of course, there may be healthy conflict in the process = of coming=20 together. Tonight, I pledge to the police union, police management, City = Council, and our community that we will continue to seek new, better = ways to=20 improve public safety.

In the City of Rockford our resources are limited - but = our=20 ingenuity and our commitment to Excellence in Action are=20 boundless.

IV: EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: MANAGEMENT AND = OPERATIONS

Yes, we're making a lot of changes. But we have a system = in place=20 to monitor our progress and modify strategies as needed.

RockStat is the City of Rockford's new = approach to=20 data-driven management and continuous improvement. RockStat will keep us = on=20 track as we move toward our goals, giving departments and managers the = tools to=20 review day-to-day operations.

RockStat is the City of Rockford's new approach to = data-driven=20 management and continuous improvement. Through RockStat, we strive = toward=20 Excellence Everywhere while guided by core A.C.T.I.O.N. values.

RockStat will keep us on track as we move toward our = goals. It=20 gives departments and managers the tools to review day-to-day = operations. We're=20 building strong teams. We're focusing on our customers. We're holding = ourselves=20 accountable.

In 2007, our Public Works Department led our entry into = this new=20 business model with fantastic results. The demands of our new system = brought=20 changes in our leadership and changes in our approach to Public = Works.

These changes brought immediate savings and improved = results. We=20 eliminated two divisions and three Positions in Public Works allowing = for=20 overall savings of $447,000. We improved snow operations, reduced = call-in time=20 for crews, and improved crew assignments resulting in savings of 30% per = snow=20 event. We are very proud of our Public Works Department's = achievements.

Again, I would like to thank our Aldermen for committing = to=20 improve city operations. We're working across departments to break down = silos.=20 For instance, data from our Public Works Graffiti Hotline was shared = with the=20 Police Department resulting in the arrest of four long-time "taggers". = They had=20 caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.

In 2007, we also committed to improve our building and=20 construction permit process. We first conducted meetings with our = customers, our=20 private sector partners, for feedback and improvement ideas.

Our City Council then approved the purchase of new = software and a=20 new approach that will dramatically improve the quality and speed of = permit=20 approvals. We're installing the new system this year. It will mean = better=20 service and value for our customers.

Frankly, every part of our organization is being = challenged to=20 improve. Our Fire Department accepted this challenge as they began a = national=20 accreditation process with the Center for Public Excellence. They have = begun a=20 long and hard analysis on the way that we do business. This effort will = also=20 result in better service and better value for our citizens.

In fact, we applied our new approach last year to reform = and=20 modernize our City Health Insurance Plan. Thank you to our City Council, = non-union employees, and AFSCME employees for embracing these = changes.

Costs are coming down as a result of these efforts. We = also held=20 the City's first "wellness fair" last year. As a result of that effort, = free=20 testing was provided. One of the great stories from that day was a city = employee=20 who found out that he had a condition that needed immediate attention. = The=20 nurses told us that his life was saved that day. Now, ladies and = gentlemen, that=20 is Excellence in Action.

As the City proceeds on our path of improvement, we will = encourage=20 other entities to follow our RockStat program. We're learning from other = communities and the private sector. In turn, why shouldn't we expect the = same=20 analysis and accountability in our courts, our social service agencies, = and in=20 our schools?

It's this type of accountability and continuous = improvement that=20 sends the message that we are an entire community committed to = Excellence=20 in Action.

Our ability to achieve excellence depends on strong = community=20 management partnerships. This is what community policing is all about. = It's also=20 what growing our regional economy is all about.

Our efforts with the Rockford Mass Transit District and=20 organizations like the Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford Local=20 Development Corporation, the MetroCentre, and the Economic Development = Council=20 are all about those types of partnerships.

We are working right now, for example, on a new housing = marketing=20 partnership to support and sell our growing list of housing incentive = programs.=20 We also have Tax Increment Financing districts and property tax rebates = for=20 market rate housing as well as employee assisted housing. But we must do = more to=20 market our tools.

The fact is, we will never have enough money nor staff = to market=20 our city on our own. That's the bad news. The good news is that we don't = need to=20 do it on our own. Companies representing realtors, homebuilders, banks, = economic=20 development agencies, tourism and the arts that can help us market and = sell our=20 incentives.

This type of creative marketing partnership happened = last year=20 through the "Attracting and Retaining Talent" group's "Live Big Weekend" = and the=20 web site "realoriginalrockford.com."

This year, we expect to launch more of these efforts in = the area=20 of housing, arts, and tourism marketing. These are templates for future = efforts=20 for industrial and commercial development in our community.

We're also building strong partnership's to grow more = jobs here=20 that take advantage of our global marketplace. Long-term success for the = Rockford Region requires links to cities and regions throughout the = world. To do=20 this, we are leveraging our international relationships.

Our strong Swedish connection helped foster an = Industrial Trade=20 Agreement, cultural ties and exhibits, internships, and a corporate=20 headquarters. We're hosting many visits from government, tourism, media, = and=20 economic development groups. Companies from Rockford and Sweden are = exploring=20 business agreements.

In China, our efforts include outreach with = entrepreneurs,=20 government, and educators. Success will not be achieved overnight. But = we're in=20 a better position for our companies and workers to succeed in the global = marketplace.

Through outreach with entrepreneurs, = government=20 and recreational experts in China and Sweden, we are now in a better = position=20 for our companies and workers to succeed in the global = marketplace.

Over the past year, we've worked on another critical = regional=20 partnership. Our federally required planning organization, known as = RATS, is=20 made up of the chief elected officials representing Rockford, Winnebago = County,=20 Loves Park, Machesney Park, and Belvidere and Boone County. In the past, = this=20 group focused almost exclusively on transportation. In the future, we = will do=20 much more. We have come together over the past year to develop a broader = vision=20 for the future.

By the end of this month, we expect to present our plan = to the=20 federal government. It will expand our vision, goals, and technical = capacity to=20 support better planning and smarter growth patterns.

These steps towards comprehensive regional planning are = a direct=20 result of the leadership of our County Chairman Scott Christiansen, = Belvidere=20 Mayor Fred Brereton, Boone County Chairman Cathy Ward, Loves Park Mayor = Darryl=20 Lindberg, and Machesney Park Village President Linda Vaughn. Let's thank = them=20 tonight for their leadership, which is an example of Excellence in = Action.

V. EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC=20 DEVELOPMENT

Ladies, and gentlemen, when I took office, I stated that = we as a=20 community must Reduce our dependence and reliance on property taxes. = Why? It's=20 simple. Our high property taxes hurt our ability to compete for jobs and = families. They hurt our community.

I am happy to report to you tonight that for the third = year in a=20 row, the City of Rockford's property tax rate is lower than it was the = prior=20 year. In fact, 2008 will bring the biggest City of Rockford property tax = rate=20 decline since 1992!

Let me repeat that: this will be the biggest city = property tax=20 rate decline since 1992!

Our property tax rate did not get to be one of the = highest in the=20 State overnight and this problem will not be remedied overnight. But, = make no=20 mistake; we will continue to push to lower our rate even more.

While we must focus on lowering our property tax rate, = we must do=20 so while making investments that will give us the highest rate of return = and the=20 greatest chance of success.

Our 2008 City budget enhances our organization's = productivity and=20 capacity by investing in technology and training.

We're installing computers in our fire trucks and ambulances;=20
We're routing more efficiently and tracking our effectiveness.=20
We're installing new building permit software to make us faster = and more=20 effective.=20
We're making it easier for our customers to invest in their = property.=20
We're improving water billing and collection.=20
We're improving customer service while reducing costs.=20
For the first time since 2002, the 2008 budget also restores = capital=20 equipment for each of the Police, Fire, and Public Works departments. =

These are tough economic times, and we must be vigilant = in=20 controlling costs, but we must also deliver excellence. We must invest = in our=20 future.

Last year, we did just that when we invested in our = MetroCentre=20 and entered the American Hockey League. So, how has that turned out?

IceHogs revenues are up 22% over = last year at=20 the same time. In this season alone, the IceHogs have enjoyed three = sellouts.=20 And, the partially renovated MetroCentre is 16% ahead of last year in = sales and=20 has hosted eight sellouts in total, making building = history.

First, we saved hockey in Rockford. The former league, = the UHL, no=20 longer exists. The IceHogs revenues are up 22% over last year at the = same time=20 and they The have already enjoyed three sellouts this season. To = demonstrate the=20 skill of our players, 18 IceHogs players have played with the Chicago = Blackhawks=20 in the NHL. In fact, IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford, shutout the = defending=20 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks in his first NHL start with the = Blackhawks,=20 making news throughout the hockey world.

Some people thought the MetroCentre was headed for = extinction. How=20 ironic that "Walking With Dinosaurs" recently grossed over $1 million, a = MetroCentre record. And despite being closed for four months during=20 construction, the partially renovated building is 16% ahead of last year = in=20 sales and has hosted eight sellouts in total, making building = history.

Our commitment to improving the MetroCentre demonstrates = that we=20 are moving forward with our downtown redevelopment projects. We will = continue=20 this foreword momentum with improvements such as the River Walk and Main = Street.

Ladies and gentlemen, we came up with a way to renovate = an old=20 building. We saved and improved hockey in Rockford. This is = Excellence in=20 Action.

Several other 2007 projects should be mentioned:

The City issued $3 million in bonds to open a new northeast branch = library, with no increase in property taxes.=20
The City issued $1.1 million in bonds to expand jobs and clean up = an old=20 industrial site for a major steel plant expansion for Liebovich = Brothers, Inc.=20
The City assisted Ingenium in expanding its plant and adding 67=20 high-paying jobs into the Rockford economy.=20
The City assisted a $25 million entertainment development = featuring=20 Rockford's own Real, Original Rick Nielsen. The complex will include a = hotel,=20 restaurant and a one-of-a kind guitar museum.=20
The City installed over $1 million of water main and completed = Logistics=20 Park Roadway to serve the Chicago Rockford International Airport for = new air=20 cargo development and job creation.=20
The City issued over $1 million in bonds to install sanitary sewer = in the=20 northwest side of Rockford to spur residential and commercial growth.=20
The City partnered with Winnebago County, the State of Illinois, = Rock=20 Valley College, and the Northern Illinois Minority Contractors = Association to=20 host the first diversity enterprise-training program.=20
We worked with RMTD to provide bus service to the Cherry Vale = Mall, which=20 was the op request of our RMTD customers.=20
We are aggressively pursuing incentive programs for residential,=20 commercial and industrial development for our central city.=20
We continued moving forward on downtown and riverfront improvement = efforts=20 to further spur job creation and a higher quality of life.=20
And we continued state and federal passenger rail efforts to make = sure we=20 grow local jobs and create transportation options in our regional = economy.=20

As Angelous Angelou, the prominent site selector and = economic=20 development expert said right here in Rockford in 2007, "companies no = longer=20 take care of cities. Cities take care of companies."

At the very least, we must create a place where = businesses want to=20 invest and people want to live. We're working to improve in both = areas.

We're playing a vital role in attracting and retaining = talent. Our=20 future workers, leaders, and residents are Gen X and Gen Y people - ages = 25 to=20 40. These groups, of which I am a part, choose where to live first, and = where to=20 work second. In fact that's why we undertook the multi-year task of = rewriting=20 our city's zoning ordnance. Our old code was not building the type of=20 competitive community we need to have.

To grow our economy, we're working to provide a healthy=20 environment for our businesses and our people. We're making intelligent=20 investments. We're investing in our quality of life. We're investing in=20 technology and management. We're marketing tax incentives. We're = building strong=20 infrastructure.

In short, we're supporting the growth of our people as = well as=20 improvements in the places where we live, work, and play.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is Excellence in=20 Action.

VI: EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: EDUCATION

Ladies and gentlemen, there is no higher test of the = virtue of our=20 society than the legacy we leave our children. In our hearts we know we = have to=20 do more. Our community has told District 205 we must do more. We're = taking=20 unprecedented steps to enter the debate about education.

First, we've drawn the line on truancy. Truancy is = directly=20 related to crime, poverty, and misery. By now, the community has heard = these=20 numbers repeatedly. Last year, as a result of our strong partnership, = the=20 District's truancy rate dropped nearly 30%. That was great work and = great=20 news.

Unfortunately, this year the District's lack of = execution halted=20 our momentum and reversed our results. Thousands of our children have = skipped=20 multiple days of school without consequence. The District must refer = these=20 students to the City immediately so that we can intervene. And we can't = let any=20 excuse get in the way. We must put our children first. If they've = referred one=20 student, then refer them all.

We've offered to help the District to streamline the = referral=20 process and we will continue our Community Education Partnership with = Winnebago=20 County and the United Way to get more kids in the classroom. But this = community=20 must keep the pressure on the District. These are not the "District's = schools"=20 these are OUR schools.

There is still time this year to get back on track in = our truancy=20 efforts. And we must because there are plenty of good things happening = in our=20 children's lives. In fact, there are many bright examples of education=20 successes:

In 2007, our city's Head Start program teamed up with = local=20 volunteers and corporate sponsors to build a memorial playground at = Fairgrounds=20 Park dedicated to Head Start employee Sandy Hobson who passed away after = 20=20 years of service with the City. Last summer, our Mayor's Youth Advisory = Council=20 worked with other local partners and sponsors to create Water Street = Live! a=20 mini weekend summer festival designed to keep our youth engaged in = positive=20 activities and away from violence.

This year, our MYAC team, partnering with the Salvation = Army,=20 Heartland Church and other community agencies will launch the nCenter, = an=20 outgrowth of the nFactor movement. This will be the City's first = one-stop shop=20 for teen educational programs and activities during the summer and after = school.

There are also good things happening in District = 205.

Just last week, Auburn High School won the State = Scholastic Bowl.=20 The Rockford IceMen won their 12th straight Illinois Combined High = School hockey=20 championship: Twelve in a row! And the Junior Varsity IceMen won their = very=20 first State Championship.

The move to zone schools for the high schools has been = well=20 received and the freshman foundation program has shown positive impact = in its=20 first year. But we have far too many children that are still dropping = out. We=20 can and must do better.

As our students and our community change, doesn't it = stand to=20 reason that our teaching methods may also need to change? We need to = "look at=20 the results". We need to adapt. This might mean different classes, = different=20 approaches. It may mean different ways of engaging families. It may mean = longer=20 school days or longer school years.

But faced with what we now know, I cannot come to any = conclusion=20 other than it is time for dramatic change in how we approach = education in=20 Rockford.

Recently, our Community Education Partnership led local = citizens=20 to visit charter public schools in the City of Chicago. These are = schools with=20 creative and relevant classes, high expectations, and deep relationships = between=20 staff, student and family. They have consistent discipline, creative = advising,=20 experiential learning, and, most importantly: outstanding outcomes and=20 accountability.

I support quality charter schools because they have a = proven track=20 record in providing real results with at-risk students in urban school = districts=20 like Rockford. We expect our efforts to result in partnerships between = local=20 leaders and charter school operators.

We know it can be done successfully. It has been done=20 successfully. This is an absolutely critical moment in our history. We = must do=20 it for our students. We must do it for our children. We must do it for = our=20 future.

But we must have ambitions beyond a quality high school = education.=20 The future health of our community relies on more of our people getting = college=20 degrees. Right now, only 13% of Rockford's people have a 4-year college = degree.=20 This is unacceptable.

The future health of our community = relies to a=20 high degree on post-secondary education. We must be creative, we must = include=20 private sector partners and we must be honest when we evaluate the cost = of=20 investment in this enterprise.

Last year, I spoke to you about the concept of building = a flexible=20 education network to offer more higher ed choices. I encouraged leaders = to come=20 together to design a network of higher education partners. Collectively, = they=20 could offer more four-year degree options right here in Rockford.

I am still committed to this model. But I have come to = the=20 conclusion that we must build it using a different approach.

Our community is rich in many aspects of a = post-secondary=20 education. Institutions such as Rock Valley, Rockford College, and = Northern=20 Illinois University along with programs found at Rockford Business = College,=20 Judson College or Rasmussen College offer programs for many disciplines. = We were=20 also excited to learn that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, The "Harvard of = the Skies"=20 recently began making plans to move to Chicago/Rockford International=20 Airport.

But, having a lot of the pieces of higher education does = not make=20 a public university. In the past, we've settled for pieces and hoped = Springfield=20 might provide more. It's time that we take our destiny into our own = hands. I=20 believe that we have the resources within our local region to form a = "City=20 University".

This year we will work with local education leaders, = other civic=20 leaders, and the business community to move this concept forward. We = must be=20 creative. We must include private partners. We must be honest when we = evaluate=20 the cost of investment against the cost of inaction.

If you find all of this hard to believe: please don't. = They're=20 partnering with the private sector in Chicago to build dorms for DePaul = and=20 Loyola. The University of Illinois has announced it's global campus = initiative=20 taking its teachers and programs to the world.

Creating our own University is no more improbable than = buying a=20 hockey team or financing a flood recovery plan. We've done both and = we've done=20 them well. We can do this. We can make the City University of Rockford a = model=20 of Excellence in Action.

VII. CONCLUSION

My friends, as this year's State of the City comes to a = close,=20 forgive me as I state the obvious: change is inevitable. But positive = change is=20 an option. It's our option. We must work for it - passionately and with = great=20 resolve. We have the ability and the responsibility to shape it. It = isn't=20 easy.

But positive change must come for the sake of our = precious=20 children and the promise they hold in their young hands, minds and = hearts. This=20 is our solemn duty.

I promise you that my administration will continue to do = its best,=20 in every aspect of our day-to-day work to move our community forward: To = be=20 examples of Excellence in Action.

We do it for our children. We do it for our future.

And as we end tonight, I would like to extend my = personal thanks=20 to all of you who have helped us get through a very tough year.

Both professionally and personally we battled through a = lot of=20 challenges.

Let me especially thank you for your support, love, and = prayers as=20 you helped me and my wife Stacy and our daughter Seanna welcome our baby = Michael=20 Joseph into the world. You were with us every day during Michael's short = life.

When we were sad, you brought us comfort. When we were = weak, you=20 held us up.

Yes, this was a very tough year. But I have never been = more proud=20 of our City. I have never been more proud of our people than I was this = past=20 year.

I will now join my wife Stacy in the audience and join = you in=20 watching a special video that we have prepared that highlights our = community and=20 highlights our future.

3D"Excellence