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š± How will Freeportās $11 million school deficit affect your child?
Greetings Freeport! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. āļøļø
In today's newsletter:
- How will Freeportās $11 million school deficit affect your child?
- Where can you still place temporary signs in Freeport legally?
- Want a booth at this yearās Krape Park Art Walk?
Also on today's calendar: United Way of Northwest Illinois 2026 Celebrity Dinner and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? š¤ (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Freeport.
- Friday: A severe p.m. t-storm; warm, with a high of 80 and low of 39 degrees.
- Saturday: Very windy; much colder, temps: high: 48, low: 32.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 51 and low of 27 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. Why several northern Illinois schools are cutting staff and reckoning with multi-million-dollar budget deficits (northernpublicradio.org) ā Freeport School District 145 is cutting dozens of staff positions to address an $11 million budget deficit, a move teachers fear will hit struggling readers, library users, and students needing emotional support. The story places Freeportās crisis in a wider northern Illinois funding squeeze, from rising transportation and health care costs to the loss of federal COVID relief dollars. 
Ā Ā Ā 
2. Freeport bans temporary signs in public right-of-way areas citywide (journalstandard.com) ā Freeport has tightened its rules on temporary and advertising signs, banning them from all public right-of-way areas like streets, sidewalks, terraces, and utility poles. Residents, businesses, campaigns, and nonprofits must now keep signs on private property within set distance rules or risk immediate removal, warnings, fines, and escalating penalties for repeat violations. Ā Ā Ā
3. Artists invited to apply for Krape Park Art Walk marketplace (journalstandard.com) ā Freeport artists and makers are invited to apply now for the Krape Park Art Walk marketplace, which will showcase regional creativity in an outdoor setting. Application fees are $50 before May 1 and $75 after, with a final deadline of July 31 and limited, juried spots across many media. Contact the Freeport Park District for details or questions. Ā Ā Ā
4. Just Hired: Sarah Tapper (wiu.edu) ā Freeport residents have a new leader at the Freeport Art Museum: Western Illinois University graduate Sarah Tapper is now director of Programs and Exhibitions. She credits WIUās Museum Studies program for hands-on training and plans to stay connected with the university while shaping exhibitions and programming that will influence the museumās future. Ā Ā Ā
5. Social Security Is All You Need In These 10 Astonishingly Affordable Illinois Cities (familydestinationsguide.com) ā If youāre retiring in Illinois on Social Security, Freeport gets a special shout-out for combining a small-town feel with low housing costs, preserved historic downtown, and affordable local dining. The article compares Freeport with other budget-friendly Illinois cities, highlighting its parks, farmers market, public transit, and community gatherings as reasons your check can stretch further here without sacrificing quality of life. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Freeport
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š
Upcoming Events in
Freeport
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
-
Earth Day Plant Swap (Houseplants Only)
Freeport Public Library, 100 E Douglas St, Freeport
11:00 am
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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United Way of Northwest Illinois 2026 Celebrity Dinner
The Freeport Club , 1614 S Park Blvd , Freeport
6:00 pm -
Ladies Spring Luncheon
The Freeport Club , 1614 S Park Blvd , Freeport
11:00 am -
Babies and Books
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
10:15 am -
Learning from Lincoln: a live, online Road Scholar lecture by Louis P. Masur
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
12:00 pm -
Capiz Shell Art: an Adult/Teen craft
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
6:15 pm -
6721 Tips for Writing Simple Wills, Powers of Attorney for Healthcare or Property - A
Highland Community College , 2998 W Pearl City Rd , Freeport
1:00 pm -
Teen Tuesday: Edible Cookie Dough
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
4:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
Monday April 20
Tuesday April 21
š£ Freeport Shout Outs!
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š Events Nearby
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Messy Masterpieces
Freeport Public Library , 100 E Douglas St , Freeport
10:00 am -
Miles & Kelly @ Fibbers
Fibbers Bar And Grill , 110 N Main St , Leaf River
3:00 pm -
Babies and Books
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
10:15 am -
Learning from Lincoln: a live, online Road Scholar lecture by Louis P. Masur
Freeport Public Library , 100 E. Douglas St. , Freeport
12:00 pm
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Danfoss posted a job opening for Shipping / Receiving Clerk in Freeport. Apply here.
- ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Commercial Cleaner Freeport IL in Freeport. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Freeport here.
Ok Freeport! 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: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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