BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Stellantis announced they won't be closing their Belvidere plant, but keeping it idle.

This came as a shock to the more than 14-hundred employees that will be getting laid off. in the recent bargaining agreement between the union and company, it was put in place that the plant couldn't officially close.

Now that they've made an official announcement that they are essentially going to idle us which is an easier way of saying close because of the collective bargaining agreement they can't close us during the terms of this agreement," said Timothy Ferguson the Belvidere Shop Chairman.

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The ceremony was held Friday at Rockford's Veterans Memorial Hall

Students at Rockford Lutheran raised money, and picked out and wrapped gifts for local families as part of an annual Christmastime fundraiser.

Fifty-eight percent of Illinois residents support an assault weapons ban, according to a new poll.

Freeport Police said Friday they are on the hunt for a 16-year-old who shot two men Thursday in the 600 block of W. Avon Street.

WomanSpace, on Maria Linden Drive, is hosting a special holiday market this weekend, offering handmade art, jewelry, gifts, and Christmas decor.

More than $1 billion was wagered on sports in the state of Illinois in October, setting a new record for the sports betting industry.

Police have caught the suspect in local teenager Mason Hada's car crash death more than a year after the incident.

Workers at the Belvidere Plant will soon be out of work. Stellantis announced Friday that it will idle the plant on Feb. 28.

Santa and Mrs. Claus took time away from their busy schedule by meeting children in Rockton this week.

Police have caught the suspect in local teenager Mason Hada's car crash death more than a year after the incident.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford's Community Relations Commission set out a task to work on youth violence prevention within Rockford's public schools.

"Well, there were some things that were concerning to the mayor. this year particularly with so much violence and activity at public schools," said William Martin one of the commission's board members.