Rochelle is a city in Ogle and Lee counties, Illinois, United States.

Originally named "Lane",[4] the town sits at the intersection of two rail lines, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific.

Having a number of granaries holding corn, wheat and other crops for shipping eastward, the town was an important rail link for farmers.

After World War II, Rochelle grew, becoming a center for Swift Meat Packing and Del Monte canned vegetables such as asparagus, corn, green beans, and peas.

The community is home to the popular Rochelle Railroad Park where visitors from across the country come to watch passing trains at the intersection of the BNSF and Union Pacific Railroads; the Chicagoland Skydiving Center and Flight Deck Restaurant; and the Kennay Farms Distillery just west of Rochelle.

On April 9, 2015, parts of the city suffered damage when an EF4 tornado struck near the outskirts of the town.

Rochelle is known as the "Hub City" because of its location at the intersection of several major transportation routes.

[17] The effect, as seen on a map, was one of the spokes of an old wagon wheel meeting at the "hub", and thus the nickname was born.

Several businesses carry the moniker "Hub City", including furniture stores, shopping centers, realty firms, dry cleaners, and many others.