Winnebago County board approves host-fee support for BMO Center after amendment tying funds to Rockford contribution

The Winnebago County Board voted to allocate host-fee funds to the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority (RAVE) for capital improvements at the BMO Center, approving the resolution as amended on March 13, 2025.

The amendment, offered by County Board member John Sweeney, added a condition that the county’s allocation apply “as long as the City of Rockford contributes a minimum of $800,000 a year for capital improvement projects and infrastructure” to the BMO Center for up to five years or until the earlier of those conditions. Sweeney read the amendment into the record as a tightening of the county’s commitment and said the change reflects "the intent of that amendment is basically the city of Rockford is going to front load a vast portion of their $9,000,000 allocation." The amendment passed, and the amended resolution then passed in a subsequent roll call.

Why it matters

The BMO Center is the county’s largest indoor events venue and an anchor for regional sporting and entertainment events. The decision directs host-fee money—revenue collected from venue operations—toward capital work at a building county leaders and others said needs repairs and upgrades. Supporters argued the funds are an investment in economic activity that benefits the whole county; opponents raised legal and fiduciary questions about an older intergovernmental agreement and whether the county should alter long-standing host-fee policy.

Key details and debate

- City commitment: Gretchen Gilmore of the BMO told the board the city had committed to "a minimum of $9,000,000 for the next 10 years," and that she believed the city would be in a good financial position after bonds are paid off in 2026. She also noted the city had not yet signed the final intergovernmental agreement but said she could "confirm they are very committed."

- Contract clause and legal question: County Board member Michael Webster cited language in the 2007 intergovernmental agreement for the Metro Center that says "the county shall not be solicited to provide any further funds toward the renovation or operating cost of the Metro Center." Webster argued that solicitation language meant the county should not act outside that…