* Chuck was an unapologetic Rockford booster, a smart and unreformed curmudgeon and a friend and mentor to many. He cannot ever be replaced…

Longtime Register Star reporter and columnist Chuck Sweeny died early Monday after collapsing at home.

Sweeny, a Rockord native, was 70.

* React is starting to roll in…

Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) offered the following statement:

“My heart aches for the Sweeny family, the staff at the Register Star and the city of Rockford – what a loss. Chuck was a pillar of the Rockford community and truly served the public through journalism. With his columns, Chuck never held back and always called it how he saw it – he was candid, colorful and fair. Gerry and I send our deepest condolences.”

* And…

Saddened by the news of Chuck Sweeny’s passing. My condolences are with his family, his @RRStar team, & the field of journalism for this loss. Chuck was a dedicated professional, talented and tough, a true staple in our community. He will be sorely missed. #IL16

— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) May 20, 2019

This post will likely be updated.

* Sen. Stadelman was a former Rockford TV anchor…

State Senator Steve Stadelman issued the following statement regarding the passing today of veteran Rockford Register Star political columnist Chuck Sweeny:

“Having worked with Chuck for many years as a fellow journalist and more recently as an elected official, I saw from more than one perspective that his reporting and commentary was insightful, fair and incredibly well sourced. As a reader, I always appreciated his ability to inject humor into the often tense public discourse. Like any good newsman, Chuck would not use the word ‘institution’ lightly. But through decades of helping the public understand government, local history and the civic issues of our times, he was just that — a Rockford institution.”

* RRStar…

Sweeny was also a musician and had played electric piano in several bands that performed around the region. Ron Holm, who played in an Americana rock ‘n’ roll band with Sweeny in the 1970s and 1980s, said if Sweeny heard a tune on the radio, he would “just play it. He was utterly remarkable; he performed by ear.”

Cherene Sweeny, Sweeny’s wife, said she’ll miss conversations with her husband — “all the political and national issues. He liked to read about everything. And Rockford was really important to him.”

Sweeney’s younger sister, Mary Douglas of Carol Stream, said her brother “just remembered everything.” And she remembered his fondness for trains. “He had a model train in the basement” when they were kids growing up in Rockford, she said.

Scott Christiansen, former Winnebago County Board chairman, said Sweeny was fair in his editorial coverage. “Let’s just say we would argue some, but I never felt he was totally unfair. If he disagreed, he would still tell the other side.”

* Gov. Pritzker…

“Today we mourn the loss of a beloved figure in Illinois’ journalism community. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chuck Sweeny, who dedicated his life to his hometown paper for over three decades.

“Chuck tackled issues at every level of politics: no issue was too small to matter or too large for dissent. He was courageous in his advocacy and steadfast in his passion for Illinois. My heart goes out to the city of Rockford and the Register Star family as they grieve one of their finest.”

* Comptroller Mendoza…

The Rockford area needs strong advocates and Chuck Sweeny rose to the occasion. You did not need to agree with all his columns to respect the passion he brought to his job. He asked good questions when I visited the Register-Star’s editorial board. I send my most heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and his fans.