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Thursday, June 6, 2013
SHREK THE MUSICAL • A&E, C1
POSTSEASON AWARDS • SPORTS, B1
Stage Coach 1st in Illinois to present production
DeKalb’s Brown is Girls Track Athlete of the Year
Dan Hyde as Shrek
Original library plan back on table Additional funding means $24M DeKalb site expansion will be done in 1 step By DAVID THOMAS dthomas@shawmedia.com DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library is going back to its original $24 million expansion plan, thanks to another $3.1 million grant from the state and an extra $1 million from local banks. Previously, the library board decided to trim its expansion plan to $20 million, which would allow it to build
the 46,000-square-foot extension onto the library building at 309 Oak St., but would have other renovations to the 80-year-old building phased in. Library Director Dee Coover said the state did not accept the phase-in plan. “The state wants the project as originally submitted,” Coover said. “So we cannot phase it in. We made that choice, I made that choice, to
do the project as originally submitted and accepted the $3 million.” To make up that remaining $1 million, three local banks the library is borrowing from Dee Coover – Castle Bank, Library Resource Bank director and National Bank & Trust – are also
Time to move on About Mark Biernacki n City manager since 2004 n Has been involved in local government for 33 years n First public job was as an intern for the city of Elgin in 1980 n First full-time job was as county planner for DeKalb County n Background in planning and development
On the Web To view video from the interview, visit Daily-Chronicle.com.
upping how much they are loaning to the library, said Frank Roberts, senior vice president of Castle Bank. “I think it’s really wonderful that the banks – it was a pretty easy decision to participate in this especially looking at the size of the project and scope of the project,” Roberts said. Roberts said the library would have two years to pay back the $3 million loan,
Funding breakdown
which has an interest rate of 3.25 percent. Roberts added that the banks are required to place a mortgage on the library as a result of the loan. Interest payments would be done on a quarterly basis. Coover said she is not worried about paying back the loan because the library has already raised $1 million. Board President Clark
n $11.6 million: The state’s contribution; includes the original $8.5 million construction grant and another $3.1 million grant n $6.5 million: Bonds issued by the city of DeKalb n $3 million: Private loans from local banks n $2 million: Tax increment financing approved by the city of DeKalb n $900,000: Library reserves
See EXPANSION, page A7
Mark Biernacki has helped guide DeKalb since 1989
Health exchange stalls in Illinois
By DAVID THOMAS dthomas@shawmedia.com DeKALB – DeKalb looked very different when Mark Biernacki began working for the city as its community development director in 1989. Subdivisions such as the Knolls and the Bridges of Rivermist didn’t exist. Sycamore Road had not yet become a major commercial corridor, and the city’s industrial base was not as large. “I think the landscape of the city, in terms of its development, has made the city and the community a much better place,” Biernacki, who has been the city manager since 2004, said. “At that time in 1989 ... all those projects, all those residential opportunities, all those jobs ... did not exist. I am pleased to be a part of making all that happen.” Biernacki, 55, plans to retire June 14. At Monday’s City Council meeting, aldermen will consider proposals from six different headhunting firms vying to conduct the search for Biernacki’s replacement. As city manager, Biernacki manages the city staff and compiles recommendations from the staff and the public for the City Council. He also carries out policies set by the council. Biernacki often has wondered how he deals with those sometimes competing interests. “I ask myself that question all the time,” Biernacki said. “I don’t think I can answer how one deals with it, other than constantly striving to seek out common themes in those various differing interests.” Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker praised Biernacki’s ability to balance the different demands of the job. Baker was one of four aldermen who approved Biernacki’s appointment.
See BIERNACKI, page A7
By CARLA K. JOHNSON The Associated Press CHICAGO – Federal officials could end up overseeing the new Illinois health insurance marketplace for years to come after lawmakers in Springfield balked again at a full embrace of President Barack Obama’s health care law. The Legislature adjourned Friday without sending Gov. Pat Quinn a bill on a staterun marketplace – a consumer-friendly online shopping site for insurance. Quinn has pushed such a plan for three years without success. Although the state will partner with Washington the first year, the Democratic governor had hoped Illinois Pat Quinn could take the reins in 2014 for coverage starting in 2015. That timetable now seems highly unlikely unless lawmakers pass legislation when they convene for the abbreviated veto session this fall. Jim Duffett of the Campaign for Better Health Care, an Illinois group that supports the health care law, predicts that if lawmakers don’t approve a state-run marketplace then, there won’t be one in Illinois for at least five years. State senators approved the bill along party lines, but the full House never voted on it before last Friday’s adjournment. A spokesman for House Speaker Mike Madigan noted the bill “didn’t have much bipartisan support” in
Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com
After 24 years with DeKalb, City Manager Mark Biernacki will retire June 14. Biernacki has been involved in local government since 1980 and has helped shape the growth and development of DeKalb. During the past nine years, the shopping, residential and job opportunities have significantly increased. After retiring, Biernacki plans to travel and seek volunteering opportunities.
See INSURANCE, page A7
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