The Rochelle Fire Department saw an increase in total emergency calls in 2025, RFD Chief Dave Sawlsville said Jan. 2.

As 2025 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments the city of Rochelle has achieved together over the past year with the support of staff, leadership and council members.

The City of Rochelle’s work in 2025 included infrastructure work, small business development, and staffing replacement and expansion, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Dec. 17.

The city of Rochelle presented a facade grant for $2,550 on Monday, Dec. 22, to Tecalitlan Restaurant at 1071 N. Caron Road.

At a special meeting Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Rochelle City Council voted unanimously to appoint City Engineer Sam Tesreau as interim city manager following the resignation and impending departure of City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh.

Rochelle presented a facade grant program check for $1,550 on Monday, Dec. 22, to Salon Idyll at 400 Lincoln Highway.

The city of Rochelle on Dec. 9 announced the resignation and impending departure of City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, who has accepted a position as city administrator of Washington, Illinois.

The Rochelle City Council and Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District Board of Trustees recently approved a $669,000 purchase for the third phase of their joint fire training facility at 920 S. Main St. in Rochelle.

The city of Rochelle presented a $3,525 facade grant Monday, Dec. 15, to the Vince Carney Community Theater at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle.

The Rochelle City Council voted 6-0 on Monday, Dec. 8, to approve a special-use permit for an adult-use cannabis infusion business at 600 N. 15th St., which is zoned I-2 (general industrial).

Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh will be leaving his position in mid-January to manage a new community, a Tuesday city of Rochelle news release said

As we move deeper into the fall/winter season, I am excited to share some highlights and updates from the past month in Rochelle.

The Rochelle City Council on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, unanimously approved two parameters ordinances authorizing the future issuance of general obligation bonds to fund projects at the Rochelle Technology Center and the Rochelle Municipal Airport.

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act passed by the state legislature in late October stands to impact the city of Rochelle-owned Rochelle Municipal Utilities and its customers, city officials said Nov. 19. Gov. JB Pritzker has pledged to sign the bill.

The city of Rochelle is moving toward construction on a new electrical substation project for Rochelle Municipal Utilities on Centerpoint Drive off Illinois Route 38 west of town, RMU Superintendent of Electric Operations Blake Toliver said Nov. 19, 2025.

The city of Rochelle is considering issuing alternate revenue bonds for potential projects at the Rochelle Municipal Airport and the Rochelle Technology Center that would likely total $2.7 million, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

Rochelle’s new pocket park at 517 W. Fourth Ave. includes a concrete path, brick, native plants, space for seating and food vendors, light poles and cafe lights. A custom bench will run along a concrete ledge.

Community members nearly filled Rochelle City Hall council chambers Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to see presentations by city officials and data center developer LFF Industrial, which has been working on a potential project with the city.

The city of Rochelle will host a town hall meeting to discuss a potential data center development Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

At its meeting Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved its 2025 tax levy. The city will collect $3,104,199, an increase of 3% over last year.

The City of Rochelle has recently seen social media reaction to news of it talking with a developer about a data center potentially locating in Rochelle.

The Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a $7,673,358 bid from Tri-City Electric Co. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, for the construction of a new electric substation for Rochelle Municipal Utilities on Centerpoint Drive off Illinois Route 38 west of town.

As the vibrant leaves change colors and the temperatures begin to drop, we are reminded that fall has officially arrived in Rochelle.

Rochelle put out a request for proposals (RFP) on Sept. 24, 2025, for developers interested in purchasing and building on the former site of Hickory Grove, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said.

The City of Rochelle and Rochelle Municipal Utilities are in “serious talks” with a developer about a data center locating within city limits in the near future, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Oct. 15, 2025. 

The Rochelle City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, unanimously approved a special-use permit for a childcare center located at 211 E. Illinois Route 38, the former site of the Rochelle News-Leader office.

Fiegenschuh: Over the past eight years as Rochelle’s city manager, I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of elected officials, department heads, and employees who are deeply committed to serving our community.

The City of Rochelle will be moving forward with a second phase of downtown-area improvements that will include a stage and public restrooms structure off North Main Street.

Bearrows: As we transition into the vibrant season of fall, we are experiencing a bustling period here in Rochelle.

The Rochelle City Council voted 4-3 on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, to accept a $3,127,095 bid from DPI Construction, Inc. for phase two of its Rebuild Downtown & Main Street Grant Project.

At its meeting Monday, Sept. 8, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved an amendment to an agreement with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network.

At its Aug. 11, 2025, meeting, the Rochelle City Council approved the annexation of 5 acres at 13800 Gurler Road, which is contiguous to the Rochelle Municipal Airport.

At its meeting Monday, Aug. 25, the Rochelle City Council unanimously accepted a strategic communications plan that will see it adopt purple as the city’s official color and change branding in coming months.