Rockford Selected As A 1992 All-America City

By WENDY DICKSTEIN, Director, All-America City Award Program

The National Civic League and the Allstate Foundation are delighted to inform you that Rockford, Illinois was one of only ten communities across the country selected as a 1992 All-America City.

The honor is especially significant this year, as Rockford competed against 140 other communities, a substantial increase over 1991. Amid this heightened competition, Rockford emerged as one of the nation's best communities.

For 43 years, the All-America City Award has recognized communities with collaborative, innovative approaches to problem solving. The program has been made possible for the last four years through the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.

We hope once again to schedule an awards ceremony hosted by President Bush at the White House. In previous years, the ceremony has contributed tremendously to the national recognition of the winning communities. We will keep you informed of the status of a White House ceremony for this year's All-America Cities.

The benefits of becoming an All-America City are many. Winning communities experience heightened national attention which aids in the recruitment of industry and jobs to the area. The award reinvigorates a community's sense of civic pride, and provides an impetus for even greater civic activity. Most importantly, All-America Cities serve as visible models to communities throughout the nation who are struggling with the same difficult local issues.

As a 1992 All-America City, Rockford is a credit to your state, and an inspiration to communities everywhere. Please join us in congratulating Rockford, truly an All-America City. •

Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / July 1992