Stellantis changes Belvidere plan to 2027 and a different model

SEE:  Stellantis to reopen Belvidere Assembly Plant in 2027, add 3,000 jobs

WIFR: Boone County Clerk is sentenced

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Former Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss will spend time behind bars for stealing from the county.

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Bliss pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and two counts of official misconduct.

Bliss is sentenced to four years of probation and 180 days, or about six months, in the Boone County Jail.

Former Boone Co. Clerk Julie Bliss sentenced for theft of government property

The plea and sentence were negotiated by the Public Integrity Unit of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

In 2023, Bliss was accused of using a county credit card for personal purchases at Walmart, Farm and Fleet and Amazon; as well as using county funds to pay off personal debt and stole cash.

Bliss Case may finally be over

The felony case against Boone County Recorder and Clerk, Julie Bliss , may finally becoming to an end. The case against Bliss was initiates on August 31, 2023  A plea deal will be presented to Judge Paccagnini on September 2, 2025.  Subject to the judge’s approval the case maybe finally concluded after two years.

For further details go to:  Boone County, IL | Case Information

Scotland loves TRUMP

 

Rockford Y takes management of Belvidere YMCA

July 15, 2025

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is excited to announce a new and promising partnership that will strengthen the YMCA mission and broaden our impact. Effective July 7, 2025, the YMCA of Rock River Valley assumed management responsibilities for the Belvidere Family YMCA in partnership with its Board of Directors.

This collaboration represents a strategic step toward greater sustainability, improved services, and broader community outreach.

“By partnering and sharing resources, we can help expand YMCA membership, programs and services in Boone County, which strengthens the YMCA movement for all,” said Brent Pentenburg, CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley.

Belvidere Family YMCA Executive Director, Cherie Dollinger, has joined the YMCA of Rock River Valley and will remain an on-site leader at the Belvidere Y. Both Ys will remain independent under the management agreement.

“The Y has strong roots in Belvidere, having first opened in 1903 and with an expansion in 1967,” said Dollinger. “We’ve seen a decline in our membership, making it difficult to operate independently. This partnership brings fresh ideas and more resources to our community, so we can work on growing our membership and financial support.”

Through this partnership, both YMCAs will work together to advance the mission and identify opportunities to enhance impact. As always, Belvidere Family YMCA members are able to use YMCA of Rock River Valley facilities through Nationwide Membership.

3rd Final Pre-trial Court Meeting in Julie Bliss felony case

July 31, 2025 is the final pre-trial.  Will the trail date actually be arranged then?  This felony case against the Boone County States Attorney was “initiated on 8-31-2023.

 

SEE:  Boone County, IL | Case Information

BLISS CASE: “New” Final Pre trial is July 10, 2025

 

2023CF256 BLISS, JULIE ALast Search  | Information  | Dispositions  | History  | Payments  | Fines & Fees

Case Information

Case
2023CF256   
Last Update
06/05/2025
Last Upload
06/05/2025 @ 11:14

Case Category
Criminal
Case Type - Subtype
CF - 10
Criminal Felony - Felony

Other Litigants

None

Litigant Information

Full Name
BLISS, JULIE A

Date of Birth
11/09/1969 
Role
Defendant/Respondent
Physical File Location

Impounded
No
Initial Open Date
08/31/2023 
Initial Close Date

Suppress Minutes
No
Reopen Date
Reclose Date

Alias
STAPLER, JULIE A

DefenseAttorney
NOBLE, NATHAN J  

ProsecutingAttorney
BOOKHOUT, HALEY C  

ArrestingOfficer
BEHNKE, SPECIAL AGENT PHILLIP  

Identification

Gender 
Female 
Height
5'4" ft. in.
Weight 
170 Pounds
Eye Color
Blue 
Hair Color
Brown

Address

Street 1
916 SULLIIVAN DR

City
BELVIDERE 
State
IL 
Postal Code
610080000

Country

Phone Numbers

None

Hearings

Type
Date
Time
Judge
Location

143 - Bond date 
09/07/2023 
1:30 P.M. 
TOBIN  
1

1 - Arraignment 
10/18/2023 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

13 - Pre-trial 
11/22/2023 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

13 - Pre-trial 
01/10/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

13 - Pre-trial 
03/13/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

13 - Pre-trial 
04/10/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

47 - Final pre-trial 
05/29/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

47 - Final pre-trial 
06/26/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

136 - Subpoenaed records 
08/16/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

110 - Motion/quash 
09/20/2024 
1:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

110 - Motion/quash 
10/02/2024 
2:30 P.M. 
SWIFT  
2

35 - Status hearing 
10/16/2024 
2:00 P.M. 
TOBIN  
4

35 - Status hearing 
10/21/2024 
10:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

110 - Motion/quash 
11/07/2024 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

113 - Argument 
12/02/2024 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

35 - Status hearing 
01/23/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

136 - Subpoenaed records 
02/27/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

35 - Status hearing 
03/27/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

88 - Rule/show cause 
03/27/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

136 - Subpoenaed records 
05/08/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

47 - Final pre-trial 
06/05/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI  
4

47 - Final pre-trial 
07/10/2025 
11:00 A.M. 
PACCAGNINI