2013 wasn't a great year for Rockford, Illinois, at least according to Forbes. The Forest City was tabbed as the third most miserable city in the United States, only beat by Flint, Michigan and Detroit. Just two years later, 24/7 Wall St. declared Rockford as the sixth most dangerous city in the U.S.A., with a population greater than 100,000 residents. Nestled along the banks of the Rock River, just 89 miles northwest of Chicago, more than 344,600 people call the greater Rockford area ''home." Rockford has gotten quite a bit of negative press over the past few years, but as the locals know, there is a lot to love about Rockford. I am so grateful that I have always called the Rockford region home because if you look for the good, Rockford truly rocks.

Downtown, in the window at the Rockford Art Deli, a tee shirt proudly proclaims "Rockford doesn't suck. You do." Over the past few years, this seems to be a mindset the region's younger generations have willfully adopted. Young people throughout the Rock River Valley are frequently sporting Rockford-proud apparel from the Art Deli, supporting local businesses, and exploring the region on weekends and throughout the summer. Rockford's City Market, held downtown every Friday night in the summer, features some of Rockford's most popular vendors, including Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza, Zammuto's, and the Rockford Art Deli. City Market has become a popular attraction for all ages, showcases local live music, and is traditionally covered by at least one of the region's news stations.

Rockford's sports presence has also increased nationally in recent years. From basketball to football, baseball, volleyball, softball, and wrestling, Rockford-area natives are making headlines throughout the country. Fred Van Vleet, graduate of Auburn High School, is beginning his second NBA season with the Toronto Raptors after a successful career at Wichita State University. Outfielder Jake Smolinski is in his second full season with Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics. Defensive end Dean Lowry will begin his second season with the Green Bay Packers this fall; the 2016 fourth-round selection came to Wisconsin after four years at Northwestern University. Harlem High School alumnus Josh Black started at defensive end for Syracuse University last fall, and is projected to start for the Orange as a sophomore in the fall. Two Boylan High School alumni, Noah Hickcox and Denny Croft, are set to play Big Ten football for the University of Minnesota this season. Offensive tackle Anthony McKinney, currently playing football for Iowa Western Community College, has received 13 Division 1 scholarship offers after his time with the Reivers is finished.

The Rock Valley College softball team has won four straight NJCAA Division 3 national titles. Hononegah senior, Anthony Cassioppi, won the IHSA 3A 285 pound state title in dominant fashion this winter and has continued his winning ways by taking home gold medals in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling at the Junior Pan American games in Peru last month. In track and field, Hononegah High School alumna Courtney Clayton was named a first-team All-American this season while representing the Vanderbilt Commodores. University of Missouri signee Jenna Lutzow won the 2A IHSA individual cross country title this fall, as the Belvidere North Blue Thunder won the team title, and she also paced her 4x800 meter relay team to an IHSA 3A state title on the track this spring. Alumni of Rockford-area high schools can also be found on at least 11 Division 1 volleyball rosters, including Penn State University and the University of Connecticut; furthermore, the future of volleyball in the Rock River Valley appears bright, as Rockford Volleyball's 13 Black squad placed 3rd in the National Division at the Girls' Junior National Championships in June. In the winter, the Chicago Blackhawks' primary AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs, play their home games at the BMO Harris Bank Center in downtown Rockford.

Beyond athletics, Rockford boasts a nationally-renowned children's museum, known as the Discovery Center. Other museums in the area include the Rockford Art Museum and the Burpee Museum of Natural History, the latter of which is home to the world's most complete and best preserved juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. In the summer, one can board the Forest City Queen and learn about Rockford's past and present, while seeing the city from the Rock River. The Rockford Park District also operates a seasonal water park, Magic Waters, near the interstate in Cherry Valley. The Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens and Anderson Japanese Gardens offer views of many types of flowers, trees, and other greenery. Nearby Sinnissippi Park is also a popular spot to enjoy the beauty of the Nicholas Gardens, take pictures, or take a walk or bike along the Rock River.

The Rockford Brewing Company, Taco Betty's, and Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza have added some new flavor to the downtown culinary scene in the past few years, and have quickly become go-to restaurants for a night out with friends or a weekday family dinner. The food scene has grown recently, but Rockford has some tasty staples too. Local fast-food chain Beef-a-Roo is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and although they have an expansive menu including salads, wraps, and burgers, the Roo is best known for their cheddar fries and milkshakes. In Rockton, the Dairyhäus has been serving homemade ice cream every summer since the 1980s, and some of their most delicious flavors include Wedding Cake, Lotsa Chocolate, Cookie Jar, and Nutella. In the past few years, the creamery has open for just a few additional days in December for the Rockton Christmas Walk and creates delicious holiday specialties, such as Santa's Milk and Cookies.

From attractions to sports to food and beyond, Screw City has much to be proud of. Although the region doesn't boast all the amenities of nearby Chicago or have miles upon miles of beaches like California; the Rockford region is still a wonderful place for so many people, because it holds the memories and people that make it home. Despite the criticism, Rockford had a unique mix of small-town Midwestern charm and big city proximity and is on the rise moving into the future. As the third largest city in Illinois, Rockford region natives have many reasons to be happy to be from upstate Illinois.