* WTVO…

Mayor Tom McNamara, Rockford’s elected mayor since 2017, is stepping down to become chief executive officer of the Illinois Municipal League, ending his tenure before the completion of his third term.

“Serving as the mayor of the City of Rockford has been the sincerest honor of my life,” McNamara said at a Monday press conference. “Our greatest accomplishment over the last nine years…is that Rockford believes in itself again.”

McNamara is set to depart at the end of August. His departure will trigger a transition process outlined in Illinois law and the city’s municipal code, beginning on Sept. 1, 2026.

The Rockford City Council will select a sitting alderman to serve as interim mayor until voters choose a successor in a special election next spring. The winner will serve the remainder of McNamara’s current four-year term.

* Rep. Maurice West just happens to live in Rockford…

Just sayin.

* Isabel reached out to Rep. West, but we haven’t yet heard back. We’ll let you know if we hear anything from him.

…Adding… That was fast…

State Rep. Maurice West announced on Tuesday that he’s running for mayor of Rockford, launching his campaign less than 24 hours after Mayor Tom McNamara revealed he would step down at the end of August.

West, who has represented the 67th District in the state House since January 2019, made his plans known at a two-part news conference at Jefferson-Horton American Legion Post 340. After a previously scheduled news conference to announce state funding for a variety of local organizations, West became the first candidate to declare plans to run for mayor.

The 41-year-old ordained minister and former career counselor referred to himself as “Rockford’s son” during the announcement. It’s a moniker intended to show that this is the city that educated, trained and raised him into who he is today.

“Being a Rockford son I clearly see the momentum we have in our city. Just an inkling of uncertainty of leadership can derail our momentum,” West said in an interview with the Rock River Current after the announcement. “I wanted to ensure that the residents know that there’s someone with some tried and true experience who’s excited to take the helm as the next mayor and keep the momentum flowing.”