Our Values -
"Community Roots, Shared Growth"
Coming from the middle class and labor oriented family, Bill values all types of people. Bill's education background has grounded him in respecting all types of families, no matter their ability level, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, gender, age, race, ethnicity, or culture. And that work has made him one of the most ardent advocates for families and small businesses in the City of Rockford.
Bill Rose has dedicated his work to strengthening our neighborhoods in the last 8 years, and the results aren't shocking. Less crime, lower tax rates, and improved infrastructure are making the 9th Ward one of the spots people are choosing to live in Rockford. Check out this video to see some of the work Bill Rose has been doing!
Muslim Faith Protections
During the most recent issues in the Middle East, Bill has advocated for more protections with our Middle Eastern populations who have faced severe Islamaphobia at protests and through policies meant to ignore their families.
Bill was one of two alderman in favor of a ceasefire resolution that would of sent a loud message to Federal leaders that Rockford taxpayers do not want to see their Federal tax dollars support a war on women and children.
CBS polls have shown that over 60% of Americans agree on this issue across party lines. Bill has been a leader on this issue in the Democratic Party, receiving backlash from some in his own party.
Protecting Retirees
Bill is dedicated to the large retiree population that has made Northwest Rockford one of the most cherished retiree centers in the Midwest. One of the first actions Bill completed after his 2017 election was replacing a key road leading into Wesley Willows, which was fraught with potholes and disrepair. Bill got the city to replace the road because residents felt it had gone too long ignored.
During Covid 19 - Bill advocated for strong Covid 19 protections throughout the city to protect our most vulnerable and elderly patients in nursing homes and hospitals. This shared value with city leaders saved lives.
Bill also advocated for additional transportation at Wesley Willows by writing a grant recommendation letter for a travel bus.
Ability Rights
When Bill was younger, he helped take care of two terminally ill parents. Both his mother and father saw cognitive declines in their physical and mental functions that impacted their ability to travel and act on their own behalf.
This is why Bill is making sidewalk replacements a major goal for Ward Nine. Bill has replaced more sidewalks than any other Alderman in the city this past 8 years, providing families the means to go for walks, and allow people bound to wheelchairs the ability to travel to the store, or enjoy a stroll with family and friends.
Bill looks to partner with RAMP and other organizations to guarantee better results for our most vulnerable populations
Advocating for Mental Health Services
When Bill found out the Mercy Health Javon Bea was shutting down it's Mental Health services at the Rockton Campus, Bill led an aggressive PR campaign on the hospital, pressuring them to stay open.
The hospital ultimately closed their doors to these services blaming the state system that funded these services. Bill blames "for-profit" health care organizations that pay their CEOs large bonuses when they find themselves profitable. As your Alderman, Bill has made commitments to continue to seek services and supported the Mental Health Tax at the County level.
Bill also advocated at the state level to deny Mercy Health from shutting their doors to patients who are still in need of these services.
Advocating for Hispanic Families
When Donald Trump took office, local Republicans wanted to place an ICE Immigration Detention Center in the center of Rockford. Bill worked with local advocacy groups to let local Republicans know we would not stand for ICE detaining or questioning our local Hispanic population, making it an unsafe environment for our teens and Hispanic families.
We won that fight, and we will win it again with Bill strongly placing pressure on local leaders to not impede on our constitutional rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Women's Rights
Women have been the backbone of our community and country since their founding. Strong protections for women's rights were enacted through Bill's vote for a women's health clinic on Auburn Street. This health clinic provides women with a safe way to plan their pregnancies and make decisions for themselves with a doctor. Bill's vote provided a key protection for women in our community.
Our constitution guarantees the rights of women and Bill has been a staunch advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment. Now is the time we need encourage the ERA be implemented at the national stage.
LGTBQ+ Rights
Bill has been a staunch advocate for LGTBQ+ teens and adults through various initiatives. One major initiative is the Family Peace Center. One of the most vulnerable groups of people facing sexual assault is our LGTBQ community when they share their stories with families. Some of these youth, unfortunately, get kicked out of their homes for outing their sexual preferences to parents.
What parents do not understand is, youth out on the street are significantly at risk of sexual assault and trafficking when they cannot find adequate housing. Bill worked on an education team through the Family Peace Center that trained hundreds of teachers each year in assisting vulnerable youth.
African Families and Small Businesses
Bill is one of a few alderman who is endorsed by four African American Alderwomen in our town.
He has worked with the Black Caucus to improve small business grants and Health and Human Services grants for families that are in drastic need of services. Bill taught African American History at East High School and understands that our Black community has specific needs. At the same time, Bill understands that our Black community is not monolith and he is willing to sit down with church leaders, business owners, advocates, and citizens to ensure our African American residents feel safe and listened to through all issues we face as a community.
