By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The stars of a new show centered on the Rockford Peaches could film here in the future if Rockford City Council members have their say.
The city is ramping up its efforts to recruit the team behind Prime Video’s new series “A League of Their Own” to film here. The first season of the show, which debuted Friday on the Amazon streaming service, was largely filmed in Pittsburgh.
But it’s been a goal for city leaders and the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to have the show filmed here since shortly after production was announced in 2018.
“Rockford locations for filming of the first season of the series were pitched, but a different site was eventually selected,” a resolution passed by City Council members on Monday reads. “The city of Rockford wants to work with the Prime Video team on future filming and promotional opportunities in Rockford.”
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Mayor Tom McNamara said the city has had “minor discussions” with the producers so far about filming here. Most of those conversations happened in passing, such as when the stars of the show came here July 2 for an early screening at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, he said.
“As they gear up for season two, we’d really love them to film here in Rockford,” McNamara said Monday night after the City Council meeting.
The show, which was co-created by Abbi Jacobson and Will Graham, takes a new spin on the classic film from 1992 by the same name.
City officials have been working with the Illinois Film Office and private filmmakers to make the region film-friendly, the resolution City Council members approved reads.
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The resolution was passed in part to celebrate the success of the show and to illustrate to producers the city’s support for filming here.
McNamara said the city plans to make the Prime Video team aware of the film tax credits available from the state, “and that they have full support from myself as mayor and the full City Council.”
A second season of the show hasn’t been confirmed, but producers have said they’re already working on the story.
“Our hope is to shoot in like mid-spring,” Graham said Friday at the show’s Television Critics Association panel, according to E Online.
Alderwoman Gina Meeks took a moment before City Council members passed the resolution to praise the show, calling it “phenomenal” and saying she was already on episode eight.
“You guys have to go to Prime and watch it,” she said. “It’s amazing, I just have to say.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.