Winnebago County approves $150,000 in host fees to help rebuild Pecatonica’s Peck Playhouse

The Winnebago County Board approved a $150,000 grant from host-fee funds to support capital repairs at the Peck Playhouse in Pecatonica, a move supporters said will help the nonprofit theatre finalize fundraising and begin construction. County Board Member Paul Sweeney introduced the resolution and described the contribution as the final public push needed for the project to move from fundraising into contracting and construction. He said the theater suffered a roof collapse in 2021 and that local fundraising is nearly complete. "They've been keeping operations on through churches ... they're almost to their goal. And with our contribution, they will cross a threshold that would allow them to go to actually get formal bids ... and break ground sooner than later," Sweeney said. Support for the grant included statements from board members emphasizing the theater's countywide reach and economic impact. County Board Member Tim Booker said the theater draws volunteers and participants from across Winnebago County. County Board Member Kate Valdez, who also works in the arts sector, said she had seen the damage the pandemic and the collapse did to local arts organizations and called the playhouse an "invaluable asset." Several members said the project includes a project-labor agreement and that county funds would leverage private fundraising. The resolution was moved by Paul Sweeney and seconded by Tim Booker and passed by voice vote; the clerk directed members to "cast yes for all members present." The packet included letters of support from state and federal elected officials that county presenters cited in their remarks. County board members and presenters said the grant would help the Pecatonica facility move toward formal contractor bids and start work sooner; details about the project's total budget and the county's required reimbursement or reporting schedule were described in the committee packet but were not read verbatim during the meeting.