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Illinois public accountants society accepting scholarship applications
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Illinois CPA Society and CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois are accepting scholarship applications to support the next generation of certified public accountants for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing an accounting career.
The scholarships provide financial assistance and recognizes certified public accountants achievements and potential success. Applicants must attend an Illinois university or college and demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities and demonstrate financial need.
Upper-level students can submit a single application for four scholarships. The scholarship applications are due April 1. The scholarships include:
• Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarships: Intended for seniors and graduate students.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
DeKalb library to offer regional candy tasting March 20
The DeKalb Public Library will offer a tasting for youth in sixth through 12th grades to taste and learn about different candies.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
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• Herman J. Neal Accounting Scholarships: Open to Black or African American juniors, seniors and graduate students.
• James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarships: Intended for seniors and graduate students
• Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarships: Open to female seniors and graduate students.
Illinois CPA Society community college scholarships support Illinois community college students pursuing an accounting career. The scholarships will be awarded to first-year students enrolling for a second year. The students also plan on transferring to a four-year university. The application due date is May 8.
The society’s freshmen scholarships are designed to support and motivate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the accounting field. The applications will be open to high school seniors intending to study accounting at an Illinois college or university in the fall. Applications will be due May 8.
“It’s encouraging to know that ICPAS backs students entering the field,” ICPAS scholarship recipient Arthur Glinkin said in a news release. “Switching my major to accounting was a big step, and this scholarship reassured me that I made the right choice. This support has helped me focus less on financial stress and more on what matters most: my classes and preparing for the CPA exam.”
The CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization created to ensure ongoing funding for scholarship and outreach programs designed to encourage individuals to select an accounting career and achieve certified public accountant credentials.
The Illinois CPA Society is on of the nation’s largest state CPA societies whose mission is to enhance the CPA profession’s value through advocacy, information, education and connection initiatives.
For information, visit icpas.org/scholarships, icpas.org or icpas.org/annualfund.
The free tasting will begin at 1:30 p.m. March 20 in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, 309 Oak St. Attendees can taste various regional candies from across the country. Participants can vote for their favorite candy.
The tasting is part of the library’s America250 initiative. Because of limited supplies, the tasting is first-come, firstserved. No registration is required.
For information, email stevenm@dkpl.org – Shaw Local News Network
Youth Engagement in Philanthropy members with the Community Foundation of Fox Valley volunteered with the Conservation Foundation and the Oswegoland Park District for picking up litter along the Fox River.
See story, page 6.
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Photo provided by Community Foundation of Fox Valley
DeKalb church to host viewing of Emory University’s Science on Spiritual Health Symposium
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The First Congregational United Church of Christ is inviting the public to join in a virtual viewing and discussion of Emory University’s 2026 Science on Spiritual Health Symposium.
The event will explore neuroscience, spiritual and health intersections.
The screening is set for noon to 4:30 p.m. March 25 at the church, 615 N. First St., DeKalb.
“The Science on Spiritual Health Symposium reflects Emory’s leadership in advancing innovation that unites clinical practice, spiritual care and scientific inquiry,” said Emory Spiritual Health and Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality executive direc -
tor George H. Grant in a news release.
Attendees can watch and discuss the symposium. Participants also will be guided on an exploration about how cross-disciplinary research inspires holistic care models honoring the spirit and mind.
The symposium encourages educators, students, researchers and clinicians to advance spiritual health science in academic medicine and clinical care.
The event features keynote presentations from Rush University Medical Center department of religion, health and human values professor George Fitchett, and Stanford Medicine assistant professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine Dr. Boris Heifets.
Learn about women’s basketball history with DeKalb Library
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Community members can learn about the Rockford Peaches and women’s baseball history during a DeKalb Public Library program.
The free program will be held at 11 a.m. March 21 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
DeKalb Township to hold I-PASS recycle and swap event March 25
The DeKalb Township will offer a chance in March for area residents to update their I-PASS for the Illinois Tollway.
The DeKalb Township will partner with the Illinois Treasurer’s Office and the Illinois Tollway to host an event for community members to access important tollway and state services.
The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25 at the DeKalb Township administrative building, 2323 S. Fourth St., DeKalb.
The Rockford Peaches won the league championship four times and was considered one of its best teams. The team also was featured in the 1992 film “A League of Their Own.”
The program will be led by the Midway Village Museum. The program is part of the library’s America250 initiative. No registration is required.
For information, email susang@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2114.
Participants can recycle and exchange transponders for a new I-PASS sticker tag. New and replacement I-PASS stickers will be available. Attendees also will receive assistance updating I-Pass account information including vehicle information, payment methods and license plate details. Participants may apply for I-PASS Assist. ICASH representatives will be available to help participants reclaim property. Appointments are encouraged. For information or to schedule an appointment, call 815-758-8282.
4-C Community Coordinated Child Care awarded grant
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
4-C Community Coordinated Child Care has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Websites for Good by Green Closet Creative grant, an in-kind donation valued at up to $10,000 in professional website development services.
This annual initiative is a collaboration between Green Closet Creative and the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) and provides a local nonprofit with a modern, user-friendly website to better connect with families, providers, donors and the broader community.
4-C Community Coordinated Child Care is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and early childhood education by improving access to quality, affordable child care. Through child care financial assistance, resource and referral services, professional development for providers and family support programs, 4-C serves as a vital
resource for children and caregivers throughout the region.
“4-C’s work directly impacts families at one of the most important stages of life,” Green Closet Creative co-founder Darby Ward Dwyer said in a news release. “We’re honored to help elevate their mission through a digital platform that makes their services more accessible and clearly communicates the impact they have on children, parents and providers across our community.”
This annual grant opportunity is made possible by Green Closet Creative, an award-winning marketing agency based in Sycamore, IL, in partnership with DCNP, a program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation that strengthens nonprofits through capacity-building initiatives.
“Our partnership with DCNP allows us to extend our support beyond traditional marketing services,” Green Closet Creative co-founder Ellie Peterson also said in the news release. “Together, we’re able to help
Photo provided by the DeKalb County Community Foundation
Green Closet Creative co-founders Ellie Peterson and Darby Ward Dwyer
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Youth chess club to meet March 23 in DeKalb
The DeKalb Public Library will host a chess club session for area youth this month.
The Teen and Tween Chess Club is for those ages 9 to 18.
The free club will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on March 23 in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, 309 Oak St.
Participants can learn about and play chess. Snacks will be served.
For information, call 815-756-9568, ext. 3400, or email stevenm@dkpl.org.
DeKalb youth nonprofit seeks helpers to make Easter decor to donate to area nursing homes
The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Jackson’s Outstanding Young Volunteers to offer a program for residents to create Easter decorations to donate to area nursing homes, children’s hospitals and lunch programs.
The free program will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 18 in the library’s lower-level
• GRANT
Continued from page 4
organizations like 4-C build tools that support their long-term sustainability and better serve the families who rely on them every day.”
As a result of this project, 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care will receive a modern, functional website designed to help families and providers easily access information about child care assistance, referrals, training opportunities and ways to engage with and support the organization’s mission.
“The DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership exists to strengthen nonprofits by connecting them with meaningful community partnerships,” DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership director Ben Bingle said in the news release. “This collaboration with Green Closet Creative is a great example of how local expertise can be leveraged to support organizations like 4-C and expand their impact across DeKalb County.”
For more information about Websites for Good by Green Closet Creative, visit dcnp.org/2024/11/01/websites-for-good-by-green-closet-creative.
Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
Participants can create Easter door wreaths, cards and paper lunch bags. Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. JOY is a youth-led volunteer group in DeKalb County.
For information, call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350, or email theresaw@dkpl.org.
DeKalb library’s Playing Cards Club begins March 23
Adults can receive a crash course and play a casual card game at the DeKalb Public Library’s Playing Cards Club.
The free club begins at 6:30 p.m. March 23 in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, 309 Oak St.
Participants will learn about the rules, goal and tricks of Rummy from a library staff member. Attendees also can break into groups and play. Light refreshments and cards will be provided. No registration is required.
For information, email amyf@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 6108.
– Shaw Local News Network
About Green Closet Creative
Green Closet Creative is a Sycamore-based marketing agency specializing in branding, website development and strategic communications. With a passion for supporting nonprofits and community-driven initiatives, Green Closet Creative provides innovative solutions to help organizations tell their stories and expand their impact.
About 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care
4-C Community Coordinated Child Care is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of child care. Through financial assistance, child care referrals, provider training and family support services, 4-C helps ensure children have safe, nurturing environments where they can learn and grow.
About the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP)
The DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership is a program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation that supports local nonprofits through training, grant opportunities, networking and leadership development.
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Wild swans have returned to the Fox River valley
Abundance of sightings excites local experts
By JOEY WESLO jweslo@shawmedia.com
What would have seemed improbable just a few decades ago, wild swans have now returned to the Fox River valley and across Kane County.
Decades of rehabilitation efforts by community environmental groups, local governments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, even schoolkids, helped the river and its ecosystem come back to life, turning its swan song around.
The abundance of swan sightings is exciting local experts because outside their poetic beauty, their return marks a significant milestone in restoring the health of the watershed ecosystem.
John Sprovieri, president of the Kane County Audubon Society, said their resurgence signifies balance being restored through years of coordinated efforts.
“It’s so special seeing these huge white birds gliding effortlessly along the river, with their long, elegant necks,” Sprovieri said. “We’ve done such a great job in recent years to improve the health of the Fox River and our local wetlands. One of the easiest things we can do is pick up litter [and volunteer for cleanups.]”
Volunteers picked up more than 12 bags of trash in just one cleanup day along the river at Buffalo Rock Forest Preserve in Algonquin, he said.
Keeping the ecosystem pristine from trash and pollution because the swans’ diet depends on fragile plant species.
“Swans feed on underwater plants, and if the river is polluted or full of dirt from run-off, it cannot support plant life, so you won’t see swans,” Sprovieri said.
The Conservation Foundation hosts an annual cleanup day for volunteers called It’s Our Fox River Day At a previous cleanup at Ferson Creek Forest Preserve in St. Charles, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, said it’s been remarkable seeing the Fox River transform from an “industrial dumping ground” to a flourishing ecosystem.
“When I moved here more than 40 years ago, people warned me don’t buy property down by the Fox River because it stinks from untreated sewage being dumped in and leaky septic tanks,” Foster said in a previous interview.
He said the wildlife, including great blue herons and bald eagles, returned once the EPA and river towns worked together to upgrade water treatment plants to ensure contaminant removal before the water is released into the environment.
Different species can be seen
From habitat degradation and over-hunting, wild swans once vanished from Illinois more than a century ago.
Three types of swans now have been seen in the waters around St. Charles and other near towns along the Fox River. All three can be spotted from early November through March before they head north to Canada and Alaska for the spring and summer to breed and nest.
The Fox River Valley is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major migratory bird routes across North America, spanning 2,300 miles across the continent, from the Gulf of America to the far reaches of the arctic.
The Fox River region has become a magnet for swans because of the open, clean water on the river and the availability of waste corn in harvested agricultural fields makes for a perfect layover before continuing on their journey, Sprovieri said.
Two swan species, the trumpeter swan and the tundra swan, are native to
Mute Swans, as seen here on the Fox River, have orange-red beaks and often curl their necks in an “S” shape. Indigenous to Europe, they are considered an invasive species in North America.
the area.
Mute swans have been imported from Europe and often escape captivity. They are considered invasive because their aggressive nature and insatiable appetite displaces native birds.
Mute swans have the typical reddish-orange bill and a black face. From a distance, their necks curl more in an S shape than other species, and like their name implies, they are far less vocal than other swans.
The harder part is identifying between the two native species.
Sprovieri said after 20 years of birding he still sometimes mistakes trumpeter and tundra swans.
Tundra swans have a mostly black bill, often with a yellow spot near their eye. At 13 to 20 pounds, they are often a third smaller than trumpeter swans. They can fly at speeds up to 50 mph and breed along the shores of the arctic.
The air whistling through their wings in flight can be heard even from 100 feet away.
Photo provided by Community Foundation of Fox Valley
Volunteers pull a tire out during the Fox River cleanup event at Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles on Sept. 16, 2023, in St. Charles.
Photo Provided By Bill Ludemann of the Kane County Audubon Society
Resource Bank awards $10K to Kick-Off for Kash winner
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Hampshire High School teacher Bob Beringer recently was awarded with $10,000 donated by Resource Bank as part of the bank’s Kick-Off for Kash contest.
The donation was presented during a Hampshire High School boys basketball game Feb. 17.
Beringer won the contest at a Hampshire High School football game Oct. 24 when Hampshire returned the second-half opening kickoff for a touchdown.
Resource Bank has sponsored the Kick-Off for Kash program since 2007. The program supports local high school programs. The schools offer tickets for sale at their home games. The winning ticket is drawn that night.
The raffle ticket winner is announced before kickoff. If the winner is present and the home team returns their half-opening kick for a touchdown, the winner earns the grand prize. The program is offered at DeKalb, Hampshire, Kaneland, Genoa-Kingston, Sycamore and Hiawatha high schools.
For information, call 815-756-6321 or visit ResourceBank.com.
Photo provided by Resource Bank
Hampshire High School teacher Bob Beringer (left) and Resource Bank Hampshire branch manager Caroline Toomey
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LOOKING BACK
1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Workmen have been busy for several days tearing down the old boiler room of the Illinois Power company, preparatory to the construction of the additional building at the place, which work is expected to start the first of the coming month. The company, it is understood, plans to spend about a quarter million dollars in this city and in Sycamore this year, the most of the money to be expended in DeKalb. The old boiler room on the north side of the company’s present property is to be removed entirely, and one similar to the room built and equipped last year, is to be erected there.
Announcement was made today at the offices of James E. Lewis to the effect that William L. Ellwood, of Lubbock, Texas and DeKalb, has given his half of the Ellwood property on North First street, between Lincoln Highway and Locust Street, to be used by the Ellwood-Lewis interest as a site for the proposed hotel for DeKalb. The other half of the property under consideration is owned by Mrs. Lewis Buckingham, sister of James E. Lewis. As yet no action on the property has been taken by Mrs. Buckingham. The gift on the part of Mr. Ellwood is in addition to his subscription of $5,000 stock in the company organized for the purpose of building the hotel. Mr. Ellwood is one of the largest share holders in the company that has been organized.
According to word received from the sheriff’s office at Sycamore late yesterday afternoon, a Chrysler sedan, belonging to R. R. Renwick was thought to have been stolen. The county officer was notified and sent out a description of the property to many of the nearby cities. Some time later a second call was received from the sheriff to the effect the Mr. Renwick had found his automobile in one of the garages at Sycamore, but is at a loss to explain how it chanced to be there.
There has been much complaint of late concerning the carelessness of residents of Sycamore in walking across other people’s lawns. At this time of the year when the frost is leaving the ground this is a destructive habit, to say the least. The grass is soft as is the dirt, and it is an easy matter to kill the lawn, so that it will take
considerable work on the part of the owner to make it presentable again.
1951 – 75 YEARS AGO
The new home of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau is almost ready for occupancy. The handsome new structure on the northwest corner of Oak and North Sixth Street, DeKalb, probably will be tenanted by May 1. Workmen are busy completing installation of light fixtures, insulation and tuning up the automatic heating system, but the structure probably is about 98% completed. Contracted for a year ago, the building, a one-story, brick steel and concrete structure, will cost about $200,000 when completed.
State Highway Department Officials Friday announced approval of a plan to lessen traffic hazards on Route 64 from the Sycamore city limits to the Kishwaukee River bridge. The plan, suggested by the Sycamore Park Board, calls for extension of the 35 mile per hour speed limit from the city limits past the west entrance to the community park. It also outlaws parking on the south side of Route 64 from the Sycamore city limits to the bridge.
Dorothy Thorpe spoke on Girl Scouting at the meeting of the Waterman Legion Auxiliary Wednesday. She told of its origin and development, also information as to
sity, this time exiling a free-sheeling, low-flying goose named William to the confines of a rural DeKalb corn crib. It seems our fair-feathered friend is no jail bird, but rather a little bird-brained when it comes to pollution. Apparently, the only charges brought against William so far are concerned with pollution, both noise and other. The other shall we say is connected with his indiscreet manner of depositing droppings on the doorstep of Lowden Hall.
A 24-year-old DeKalb man was arrested and charged early this morning with criminal damage to property by DeKalb police. Police said D. W. H. allegedly drove his car into a door at the DeKalb Motel, 1815 E. Lincoln Highway, after being refused a room for the night.
Girl Scouting in Waterman. Miss Thorpe explained how the girls advance from Brownies to senior Scouts. In this area, in proportion to population, Waterman has the highest percentage of Girl Scouts enrolled, the number being 65.
Exclusive use of the name “Barb City” as a prefix name for his purebred Holstein-Friesian cattle has been granted to Dr. D. J. Ladd, DeKalb. The name may be used in naming any of the calves bred on his farm near DeKalb by authority of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.
The annual Irish Stag at the Elks Club last night drew one of the biggest crowds of the winter season. Several hundred guests enjoyed the Dinty Moore special dinner of corned beef and cabbage. The stag was under the general charge of Bill Minnegan.
Wednesday was a very quiet day as far as police business was concerned. Notations on the DeKalb police blotter included three calls for the city ambulance, one call for a business escort and a report of an accident.
1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
First it was a ban on the bomb; then it was a ban on the bra. Now a new ban has hit the campus of Northern Illinois Univer-
Overheating of a ventilator pipe may have been the cause of a fire Monday night which destroyed at least 10,000 square feet of the Mica Pellets Inc. plant, 1120 Oak St.
2001 – 25 YEARS AGO
DeKalb city officials may request an additional count of residents sometime before the next census on 2010 if it appears population gains could be large enough to trigger an increase in the city’s share of state and federal tax revenue. The amount the city gets per resident in state funding from motor-fuel and sales taxes, for example, or federal disaster relief and community development block grant money, is based on census data.
Joseph Freed, the developer who wants to refurbish Northland Plaza, has presented to the city administration a package of financial incentives he says he needs to get the project off the ground. Under his plan, J. C. Penny, Sears and Carson’s would open anchor stores in the plaza, which has fallen into disrepair in recent years. Other stores, including a Borders Books & Music, are scheduled to go into the revamped mall.
It might not be enough to alter its claim to being the third largest town in Illinois, but Cortland’s 114.5 percent increase in population during the last 10 years was far more than that of other area communities.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives
The Turner Brass Company St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Fargo Hotel in Sycamore, 1945.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Northern Rehab to offer mobility presentation
March 19 in Sycamore
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists and the Kishwaukee Family YMCA will hold a “Mobility and Injury Prevention” presentation for residents as part of its Lunch and Learn Educational Series.
The free presentation will begin at 11 a.m. March 19 at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 Bethany Road, Sycamore.
Attendees will be able to learn about mobility, form and injury prevention for the general public, athletes and weekend warriors. Participants also can review exercises and soft tissue techniques to improve muscle tone, flexibility and joint range of motion. The presentation will be
led by physical therapist Rob Larkins. Refreshments will be provided by Hy-Vee. Because of limited space, registration is required. To register, visit kishymca.org or call 815-375-5392.
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a physical therapist-owned and -operated physical therapy practice, providing clients with customized care for more than 46 years.
The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is a nonprofit that seeks to enrich the spirit, mind and body of all those in the community, especially families and children, regardless of ability to pay.
For information, please visit northernrehabpt.com/events, call 815-375-5392 or visit kishymca.org.
– Shaw Local News Network
Tundra Swans have been spotted with higher frequency along the Fox River from early November through March. They often have a yellow patch by their eye, which along from their smaller size distinguishes them from Trumpeter Swans.
• WILD SWANS
Continued from page 6
In comparison, at 20 to 30 pounds and 4 to 5 feet in length, with a 6- to 10-foot wingspan, trumpeter swans are the largest native waterfowl in the continent and one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
Their bills are all black, with no yellow like tundra swans. Their necks and bills are also much longer than tundra swans. Trumpeters tend to honk, like a trumpet, while tundra swans whistle and hoot.
Where to view them
Sightings can happen anywhere there is open water along the Fox River. Birding hotspots are located
across the Fox River Valley.
Outside of St. Charles, sightings have been recorded in Island Park and Bennett Park in Geneva. Swans also frequent SEBA Park in South Elgin, Island Park in North Aurora, and Elgin Shores Forest Preserve in Elgin.
Swans often congregate where the dam has been removed in Carpentersville. They are often frequently seen nearby in the river along West Dundee.
When ice covers the Fox River, Sprovieri said some hotspots include Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve in Hampshire, Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, and Lake Law and the AE Sea at Fermilab in Batavia.
You can learn more about the Kane County Audubon Society by visiting, kanecountyaudubon.com.
Photo Provided By Lisa Pool of the Kane County Audubon Society
State Rep. wants to study higher ed funding
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, has proposed a state law that would mandate funding a study of Illinois universities to develop a 10-year plan focused on school accountability, sustainability and affordability.
House Bill 5037, which could be called the Fixing Illinois Higher Education Funding Act if approved by legislators, was filed by Keicher on Feb. 4. It was referred to the rules committee on Feb. 10, and on March 5, state Rep. Paul Jacobs, R-Marion, signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill.
While the proposed legislation has yet to face a vote, Keicher – a Northern Illinois University alumnus who lives in Sycamore – hosted an online panel shared by the Illinois House Republicans on Facebook to discuss secondary education reform on March 11.
He said college campuses could be reshaped by the proposed bill.
“We need to be cautious, and now is the time for change,” Keicher said.
year freshmen enrollment dip.
However, total university enrollment, like colleges across the state, has trended down over the past decade.
Some universities have attempted to unveil programs targeting local students and offering incentives to attend in-state schools. NIU recently was recognized nationally for its efforts to support students transferring from community colleges. NIU’s Aim High Huskie Pledge expanded in 2024 to allow for more qualifying Illinois high school seniors to attend NIU for at least their first year without paying tuition.
“Every option should be on the table in this process, from expanding or downsizing some campuses or relocating, or shifting to a specialized focus that is more cost-effective and focused on career readiness.”
Before he was joined by Mark Batinick, a senior fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute and a former state representative, Keicher criticized Illinois’ state university funding model.
Keicher said he believes Illinois’ pub-
9am - 5pm
lic university funding policy gives money to schools with declining enrollment “without taking steps to address the reasons behind those declines.”
Total enrollment in Illinois higher education has fallen about 29% since 2009, a loss of more than 106,000 full-time students, according to a news release from Keicher’s office.
Locally, NIU’s 10-day enrollment last fall showed the second largest freshmen class since 2014, a change from a two-
Batnick, who did not run for reelection in 2022, said he “became kind of addicted to education funding because” he noticed that his first daughter’s higher education opportunities were better out of state than within Illinois.
As the father of five children who have attended or are considering attending classes in a higher education setting, Batnick said he’s found that Illinois students graduating from high school are drawn to other states’ public universities because of lower costs.
Mark Busch file photo
A Northern Illinois University student walks past the NIU sculpture Sept. 12, 2024, on campus at NIU in DeKalb.
NIU awarded $1.5M for internship program
Five-year initiative meant to connect students to professionals in their field of interest
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois University has received $1.5 million to expand its humanities majors and support student internships through at least 2030.
NIU was awarded the grant from the Mellon Foundation, a private, New York-based foundation that supports the arts and humanities, according to a news release.
The private grant will be bolstered by a $1 million matching grant through the Foundation, meant to encourage donors to continue to support the program beyond the next five years.
“This generous investment strengthens NIU’s commitment to connecting the exceptional learning led by our faculty with hands-on, career-focused experiences beyond the classroom,” NIU President Lisa Freeman said in a news release. “These opportunities help students not only graduate but succeed and lead in their chosen fields. We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for its partnership and for recognizing the strength of our vision.”
The university plans to implement a
new, multi-year internship program for humanities majors. The funds also are expected to substantially increase paid opportunities for NIU students.
The Mellon Foundation grant is effective through November 2030, according to the release.
In the new program, students are expected to connect with professionals in their field of interest and put their skills to use.
University officials said the grant will help expand student opportunities and reduce barriers, like financial constraints, because the internships will be paid.
Portions of the grant also will establish a long-term endowment.
“This program expands the powerful role the humanities play in preparing students for life after NIU,” Robert Brinkmann, dean of NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said in a news release. “Through paid, high-impact internships, our students will apply the critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills they develop in the classroom to real-world challenges. These experiences not only strengthen career readiness but also deepen community-based partnerships and research opportunities that benefit our students, our faculty and the broader public.”
The NIU Foundation is expected to oversee the grant money and implementation. Faculty and staff will mentor students through the internship program.
Shaw Local News Network file photo
Northern Illinois University light pole banners in DeKalb in 2021.
Making friends in your golden years
Aging and change go hand in hand. Physical changes associated with aging, such as graying hair or reduced muscle mass, may garner the most attention. But personal relationships also can change as people age.
As a person ages, interests could change and home base may not be what it once was. People move after retirement, and friends you might once have seen with frequency may no longer be as close by. Children are older, and the friends you made from these early parenthood relationships may change as well.
It is important to have a solid group of friends. Psychology Today reports that a strong social network reduces the risk of early death by around 45 percent. Recent data even indicates that loneliness is as great a health risk as smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day. Starting fresh and making friends at 50 or older might seem challenging. Although making new friends after 50 may take more effort than it did when you were younger, it is certainly not impossible. Here are some tips for making friends after 50.
¥ Join a networking group. Networking isnÕt just for advancing your career. Networking groups that focus on friendships can help individuals meet one another. Perhaps there is a neighborhood group in which people from a particular housing development or several streets in town get together? Shared interests can include the place where you live.
¥ Organize a get-together. Sometimes making friends involves effort on your part. You might need to step out of your comfort zone and initiate first contact with others. Maybe there is a person at a store you run into frequently, or someone whose path you cross regularly that can be asked out to a get-together?
¥ Get involved with activities. A church group or a volunteer activity can be a great place to meet new people. In fact, volunteers often get involved for the express purpose of getting to know others and to be integral members of the community.
¥ Consider other generations. Friends need not be the same age and from the same generation. Keep an open mind that friends can come in all ages and from all walks of life.
Making friends after 50 requires some effort, but a sizable social network can benefit individual well-being into one’s golden years.
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb
The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.
• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities
• Security Features
• Laundry Facilities
• Friendly On-site Management
• Clean & Safe Atmosphere
• 24 Hour Maintenance Service
For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available at our main office at 310 N. 6th Street, DeKalb or online at www.dekcohousing.com
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb 310 North Sixth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb
310 North Sixth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb 310 North Sixth Street • DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190
Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190
310 North Sixth Street • DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190
The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/ or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.
The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/ or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.
The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.
The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/ or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.
• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities
• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities
• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities
• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities
•Security Features
•Security Features
•Security Features
•Laundry Facilities
• Security Features
•Laundry Facilities
•Laundry Facilities
• Laundry Facilities
•Friendly On-site Management
•Friendly On-site Management
•Friendly On-site Management
•Clean & Safe Atmosphere
•Clean & Safe Atmosphere
• Friendly On-site Management
•Clean & Safe Atmosphere
• Clean & Safe Atmosphere
•24 Hour Maintenance Service
•24 Hour Maintenance Service
•24 Hour Maintenance Service
• 24 Hour Maintenance Service
For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available online at www.dekcohousing.com
For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available online at www.dekcohousing.com THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER
For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available online at www.dekcohousing.com
For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available online at www.dekcohousing.com THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER
THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER
Scholarship fund honors late Hiawatha HS teacher
First fund created at Community Foundation for Hiawatha students
By KATE SANTILLAN ksantillan@shawmedia.com
A new scholarship has been established in DeKalb County to honor a late Hiawatha High School teacher and support graduating seniors pursuing careers in education.
The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently announced the creation of the Shirley Lorenz Yates Scholarship Fund, created in Yates’ memory through the estate of her son Steven Yates, and by her daughter Jean Klock.
The fund will support graduating seniors from Hiawatha High School in Kirkland who plan to major in education, according to a news release.
This is the first endowed Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation designated specifically for Hiawatha High School graduates.
“I am pleased that my mother’s passion for teaching will be forever remembered through this scholarship,” Klock said in a news release.
Shirley Belle Yates taught for 31 years, including many years at Hiawatha School in Kirkland. She began her teaching career in 1942 after graduating from Northern Illinois Teacher College and also taught at Burlington High School. She primarily taught sixth grade and was known for her love of social studies and her dedication to helping students understand American history and civic responsibility, according to the release.
Her love of teaching extended beyond the classroom. Everything in her life, including the farm she lived on, the gardens she tended and the home she cared for, provided teachable moments for her children. Her grandson, nieces and nephews continue to share a deep love and respect for the passionate life she lived.
Through the Fund, Yates’ legacy will continue by supporting students who feel called to pursue a career in education and make a difference in the lives of others.
“It is an honor to witness this historic
moment for our rural school district,” Hiawatha Senior High School professional school counselor Chris Mrofcza said in the release. “Shirley’s life and career have touched generations, and now her legacy will continue to support students through our very first endowed Scholarship Fund. This is a proud day for our community, and we hope it marks the beginning of a tradition that will benefit students for years to come.”
The Steven Yates estate named the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of the fund. In alignment with the family’s wishes, the Foundation Board directed a portion of the gift to create a lasting tribute to Yates’ life and passion for teaching.
”We are grateful to Steve Yates for entrusting his estate to the Community Foundation and to his remaining family for helping honor Shirley and her passion and commitment to education and the Kirkland community,” Foundation executive director Dan Templin said in the release.
Donations to the Shirley Lorenz Yates Scholarship Fund can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate, by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, or in person at the Foundation office.
For more information, contact Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
Shirley Yates
Photo provided by the DeKalb County Community College
Shirley Yates and her family. The Shirley Lorenz Yates Scholarship Fund will support graduating seniors from Hiawatha High School who plan to major in education.
Tom & Jerry’s opens temporary location
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
Gyros, salads, Chicago-style hot dogs and more once again are being served the Tom & Jerry’s way, 35 days after the beloved local eatery sustained irreparable damage in an overnight fire.
On the morning of March 7, Tom & Jerry’s opened from a temporary location at 265 W. Peace Road in Sycamore. Patrons began lining up outside the restaurant at 10:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the restaurant opened for the first time in its temporary location.
General Manager Sarah Meyer said, “Words can’t express how much it means” to have the community’s support.
“The love and support of our community has powered us to keep going, to just come back as quick as we can to serve the community that we love that’s served us so well for so many years,” Meyer said.
Early in the morning Jan. 31, the former Tom & Jerry’s restaurant building, which was located at 1670 DeKalb Ave., was devastated by a fire.
A week after the blaze, the restaurant announced in a social media post that it would reopen in a temporary space where the Eggsclusive Cafe was once located.
“We are Tom & Jerry’s strong,” Meyer said.
Over the past five weeks, Meyer and the ownership behind Tom & Jerry’s and Catering by Diann have dealt with the aftermath of the fire. Meyer said that included the intricacies of insurance claims, the logistics of getting a new restaurant space up and running and the efforts required to undertake their planned rebuild.
Their efforts to reopen Tom & Jerry’s were met by dozens of hungry diners at 11 a.m. Saturday.
“The community support has just, it’s – we’ll never be able to say thank you,” Meyer said.
Despite being closed for more than a month, Meyer said the restaurant did not part with a single employee it had before the Jan. 31 fire.
She also said that she plans on hiring even more workers in the near future.
“We have about 35 people on staff right now, total, and we are hiring all positions, so front of house, back of
Diann Beaulieu, one of the owners of Tom & Jerry’s and Catering by Diann, recently submitted a request to the city of Sycamore to change the zoning code for the property where the torn-down restaurant once stood, according to city records.
Sycamore Director of Community Development John Sauter wrote that Beaulieu’s request would “clean up” what he called “anomalous” zoning along that section of DeKalb Avenue.
Restaurant ownership has not yet indicated a timeline for a rebuild, but as of Saturday Tom & Jerry’s once again was serving food to the Sycamore community.
Tom & Jerry’s, temporarily located at 265 W. Peace Road in Sycamore, will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and will stay open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Photos by Camden Lazenby
Hungry diners wait in line to place their orders at Tom & Jerry’s for the first time in at least five weeks on March 7. The restaurant’s former location was demolished in February after it was left irreparable following a Jan. 31 fire.
Interim fire chief plans to talk staffing ‘when
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
The city of Sycamore swore in a new interim fire chief on March 10 in a ceremony that wasn’t publicized, days after an abrupt leadership change in the Sycamore Fire Department left many questions still unanswered.
Mike Thomas, a former DeKalb fire chief who retired in 2025 after more than 30 years with the department, was sworn in by Sycamore Clerk and Recorder Mary Kalk, according to a social media post from the Sycamore Fire Department.
He was appointed days after Fire Chief Bart Gilmore was suddenly out as chief. City officials have remained tight-lipped about the change, offering few details about why or when it was decided.
When reached later March 10, Thomas said he was honored to represent the Sycamore department. He said “at some point” city management contacted him to ask if he’d be interested in speaking to them about working as an interim fire chief.
“I was,” Thomas said. “So we started to discuss that, and it led to my being offered the job.”
Mayor Steve Braser and City Manager Michael Hall have refused to comment on Gilmore’s exit. A statement released by the city March 6 – as speculation swirled on social media –suggested a staffing change had been in the works for “some time.”
When asked when he was offered the job to lead Sycamore’s department, Thomas said he couldn’t recall.
“Off the top of my head, it’s been –it wasn’t long, I couldn’t give you a timeline,” Thomas said. “I just can’t recall off the top of my head.”
Hall said on March 5 that Thomas was expected to become the city’s interim fire chief without explaining why that decision was made.
But that was after a Sycamore firefighter – whom Shaw Local has decided not to name – said Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ward was working that Thursday as the interim fire chief.
Ward on March 10 said he thinks Thomas brings “a ton of experience” to the Sycamore Fire Department.
“I would say the membership here, we’re all pretty happy to have Chief Thomas on board with us,” Ward said. “He’s got a cool, calm, rational
the time’s right’
demeanor that we’re thankful to see.”
Hall, Braser and multiple alderpersons have refused to comment on the employment status of Gilmore, who’d been the fire chief since June 2023.
It’s not clear whether he still is employed with the city as of March 10.
After Thomas was sworn in, Shaw Local again asked Hall why the fire department is undergoing a change in leadership. Hall also was asked if the public was invited to Thomas’ swearing-in ceremony, and why it was held outside of a public meeting, as is typical for the city.
“The swearing-in was an administrative step required so Mr. Thomas could immediately assume the legal authority of the position while serving in an interim capacity,” Hall wrote in an email.
The city manager again did not provide answers to questions about the swearing-in not being public, or about the fire chief change.
Instead, Hall reiterated that “the
City does not comment on personnel matters.”
The City’s issued statement March 6, which didn’t mention Gilmore, suggested that staffing changes within the Sycamore Fire Department had been on the table for a while.
In the statement, the city pointed to labor negotiations that began mid2025 for firefighters and a desire to build on a 2015 strategic departmental plan.
Earlier this year, Gilmore told the City Council that fire department staffing had been a concern of his for some time in Sycamore.
“I’ve talked for the last three years about how we’re on the knife’s edge of being out of people,” Gilmore said at a Feb. 2 Council meeting.
Gilmore, who has not responded to multiple requests for comment, said during that meeting that a lack of staffing prevented the city’s ladder truck from responding to a major fire that destroyed Tom and Jerry’s Restaurant on Jan. 31.
Nearby fire agencies brought their own trucks and crews to help, since Sycamore is part of the region’s Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.
Sycamore City Council authorized the purchase of a $1.4 million used ladder truck – the first of its kind for the city – in April 2025.
Gilmore also said during that meeting that the fire department was working with city staff to draft a hiring plan.
Hall didn’t mention any staffing challenges on March 10. Instead, he said that the department was operating “normally and emergency services remain fully staffed and available to the community.”
Thomas said he hopes hard work can accomplish some of the department’s goals. When asked what those goals were, Thomas mentioned staffing.
“I understand there’s a staffing issue that’s been discussed, and so we want to talk about that when the time’s right,” Thomas said. “I need some time to get my feet under me.”
Camden Lazenby
Mayor Steve Braser (right) and City Manager Michael Hall (second from left) have refused to comment on former Scyamore Fire Chief Bart Gilmore’s exit.
Beth Fowler’s ‘Annie’ and ‘Paquita’ open March 20
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Beth Fowler Dance Company and Beth Fowler School of Dance will hold double-feature performances of “Annie” and “Paquita.”
Performances begin at 7 p.m. March 20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. March 21 and 22 at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb.
The performance will open with a selections presentation from the Spanish ballet “Paquita.” The double-feature’s second half includes choreographed dances to songs from the film adaptation of “Annie” including “Hard Knock Life,” “Tomorrow,” “Little Girls” and “We Got Annie.”
“Annie” tells the story of Annie, an orphan Annie and her friends. Annie escapes an orphanage and finds a family.
Beth Fowler School of Dance owner and Beth Fowler Dance Company artistic director Beth Fowler said the show will remain true to the vibrant spirit of the movie, with choreography inspired by and incorpo -
rating the dancing and acrobatics that has helped make the film a fun and enduring classic.
The role of Annie will be performed by Ayla Hammons and Xyla Brust. Hammons and Brust will perform with their home studio’s casts from the dance school’s Genoa and St. Charles location.
Brust said the role is a “dream come true.”
“I figured out I would be about the right age to try out for that role and at that point I knew I wanted it,” Brust said in a news release.
“It feels like I’m in the real movie” getting to show “a little girl’s journey through both hard and amazing parts of life.” Hammons also said in the news release.
“It’s exciting for me to get to be like the real character while performing,” Hammons said in the news release.
The two girls said they have found portraying the role, and “capturing the full Annie spirit,” to be familiar, yet challenging, as they have similarities to the character, but some key differences.
“Annie is compassionate and kind, but she’s driven and tough when she needs to be,” Brust also said in the news release.
“We’re both determined to achieve our goals,” Hammons said in the news release.
The role of Ms. Hannigan will be performed by Chaela Bilyk and Maddy Shannon.
Bilyk and Shannon say they will be challenged to portray the conniving and somewhat cruel head of the orphanage who dreams of striking it rich and leaving her current, draining life - and all of the “little girls”behind.
“I have to be annoyed at the kids, angry at Annie, desperate for attention, and frustrated with life all at the same time, which is a huge thing to take on,” Shannon said in the news release. “But it’s so much fun.”
Bilyk and Shannon said they were particularly excited about the chance to dance on stage with many of the studio’s youngest dancers, who will portray Annie’s fellow orphans.
“They’re so energetic, and it really
shows on the stage,” Bilyk said in the news release. “The kids are also hilarious, and they make it hard for me to keep in character. It’s so fun getting to laugh with them.”
“They get to experience two completely different shows in one night,” Bilyk said in the news release. “‘Paquita’ is a beautiful ballet, and ‘Annie’ is a really fun, energetic show with characters and songs that people already know and love.”
“It’s the perfect blend of both,” Shannon said in the news release.
The rest of the cast includes Iris Windsor as Grace, Wade Tischhauser as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks and Jackson Diehl as Mr. Bundles.
Children’s tickets include a meetand-greet opportunity backstage after the show for a keepsake photo with the cast.
Tickets cost $24 for adults, $17 for children ages four to 12 and free for children ages three and under. To buy tickets, visit EgyptianTheatre. org, call 815-758-1225, or visit the theater one hour before the performances.
Photo provided by the Beth Fowler Dance Company
The Beth Fowler Dance Company will present “Annie” and “Paquita” from March 20 through March 22 at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb
AMUSEMENTS
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FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION
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Directions: 2 mi les east of Shabbona, IL on Rt . 30 to Kane Rd., th en no rth to sale site Saturday , March 28, 2026 9:00 AM CST Live ~ 9:30 AM Simulcast Online Bidding Be gins Tractors - Equipm ent
1997 JD 8300 Tractor, MFWD, 6683 hrs., 16 sp Powershi ft, 3 hyd., large 1000 PTO; 1980 JD 4440 Tractor, 2WD, 36 21 hrs., quad range, 2 hyd., 540 /1000 PTO; JD 70, gas, JD WF, power steering, 1 hyd., PTO; IH Farmall Super M, gas, WF, power steering, PTO; 2001 JD 1 770 Conservation Pl anter, 16R x 30 ”, fron t fold, 2pt. hi tch, Maxemerge pl us row uni ts; JD 724 Soil Fini sher, 30'; Case-IH 496 Disk, 32', 7.5” spaci ngs; Woods 5596-2 Snow Blower, 8', 3pt., 1000 PTO; JD 148 Lo ader, 7' bucket; (2) JD 825, 8R-3 0” Cultivator, 3pt.; (2) Hayr acks, 7' x14'w/ JD gears & hoists; (1) Hayrack 8' x 14' w, JD gear; 20 0 gal di esel fuel tank; Hawke 30 ton press; Misc. Pa rt s.
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Terms: Cash, check, Vi sa/MC, 4% convenience fee for credit card use. 5% Buyer's Premium for online buyers. $15.00 fee for Bank Wire Transfer. Number system will be used Have proper ID Not responsible for acci dents or merchandise after sold Statements made on sale day by auctioneers or owners take precedence ov er all prin ted matter. All items are sold as is where is Auc tione ers: Mike Espe (6 30)-669-2667 Chris Wegener 81 5- 451-2820 El burn, IL 60119 • 630.365.9838 www.espeaucti ons.c om
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