WZOK-FM (Rockford, IL)

WZOK, known as 97ZOK, is a radio station that caters to the Rockford, Illinois region with a Top 40 (CHR) music format. It operates on the FM frequency of 97.5 MHz and is owned by Townsquare Media.

Local

English

Radio

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#627910

United States

#147705

News and Media

#5137

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

What Illinois' New Gun Storage Bill Means for Families and Firearm Owners

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

Illinois lawmakers just passed a new bill that could change the way firearms are stored in homes across the state. Here's what Senate Bill 8 means for gun owners, families, and anyone concerned about safety. A new bill aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of children and at-risk individuals has passed the Illinois General Assembly and is now waiting for Governor Pritzker's signature. Senate Bill 8 (SB8) would expand current safe-storage laws for gun owners in the state.
Meet The Loves Park Teacher Sparking Big Joy in First Graders' Lives

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

A heartfelt nomination shines a light on Mrs. Morrall, a teacher whose passion transforms learning into an adventure for her students. MORE: My Kids Demand We Go to Illinois’ Largest Water Park—Am I Ready? Congratulations to Mrs. Morrall from St. Bridget Catholic School in Loves Park, IllinoisTara Holycross nominated Mrs. Morrall, she writes,Mrs. Morrall is my daughter’s 1st grade teacher at St. Bridget School. Mrs. Morrall raises the bar for what a teacher should be.
Salmonella Strikes: 10 Sick in Illinois as Health Officials Investigate

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Emily Sotakoun

Health officials are currently investigating a salmonella outbreak after ten people got sick eating at a restaurant in Illinois earlier this month. Since May 23rd, 2025, Illinois health officials, including Coles County Health Department have been working to track down anyone who became sick after eating at Cracker Barrel in Mattoon, Illinois. On the 23rd, the restaurant voluntarily closed to "deep clean" while officials continue to figure out the source of the contamination.
Why Parking In a Bike Lane In Illinois Is A Risky Move

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Emily Sotakoun

I was out garage sale hunting last weekend when I made a stop at a sale that only had parking in their driveway (which is frowned upon) or in front of their house in the bike lane.
Wisconsin Shines With Nine Cities On The Best Places To Live List

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

Sometimes it's nice to see your home state get a little national love. According to U.S. News & World Report, Wisconsin just landed nine cities on the 2025-2026 list of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.To build the list, U.S. News analyzed 859 cities, the biggest sample yet, using data on quality of life, job market, value, net migrations, and how badly people want to live there. It's not just about pretty parks and low rent (though those help); it's about long-term livability.
Mark Your Calendars For A Summer Filled With Live Music At Milwaukee's Maier Festival Park

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

Summerfest might get all the hype, but the real music marathon stretches way beyond those three weekends. Milwaukee's Maier Festival Park is locked and loaded with can't-miss shows from May through October. The 2025 Milwaukee concert season launches hard and loud on May 31st with Sessanta, featuring Primus, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle. All three are fronted by the legendary Maynard James Keenan, so yeah, this one's going to be weird, wonderful, and worth it.
Only One DMV Text Is Legit—Illinois Officials Warn About Fake Messages

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

If your phone just lit up with a terrifying text from the "Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles," take a deep breath; it's a scam. In fact, there is only one real text you'll ever get from the DMV. Scammers are sending fake text messages that claim your vehicle registration or driver's license is about to be suspended. The message might look official, but it's just phishing for your personal or financial info. Even worse?
Coolest Wisconsin Hangout Has Food Trucks, Bars, & All the Vibes

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Emily Sotakoun

If you're headed to Wisconsin Dells anytime soon, do not skip out on one of the coolest spots in town: Grateful Shed. You'll be glad you went, trust me. Most people go to Wisconsin Dells for fishing, hiking, camping, Mt. Olympus, Noah's Ark, and waterparks, right? I go for one of the coolest hangout spots the city has to offer. If you've been experienced the Grateful Shed, you are missing out!"A casual carefree vibe where every hour is happy hour.
Massive Truck Explosion in Illinois Damages Homes [VIDEO]

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Emily Sotakoun

This is absolutely wild—a box truck passing through a quiet neighborhood in Illinois exploded while transporting propane tanks. Imagine just enjoying your weekend and all of a sudden your home rattles like the biggest earthquake just shook your home. That's how a ton of homeowners felt over the weekend after a massive explosion in a suburban neighborhood left tons traumatized.
Wisconsin’s Best Public High Schools Revealed in New 2025 Rankings

1 week ago | 97zokonline.com | Steve Shannon

Trying to find the best public high school in Wisconsin? Whether you're a parent making big decisions or just curious about where schools stack up, this ranked list from Niche highlights the top 20 public high schools across the state for 2025. Niche's 2025 rankings evaluate schools using a comprehensive methodology that includes academic performance, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, and feedback from students and parents.