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DeKalb City Council supports 3.8% water rate hike to fund improvements
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Citing unknown effects from inflation, the DeKalb City Council approved a plan last week to increase residents’ water bill rate by 3.8%.
In a pair of 7-0 votes, the council implemented the new water rate retroactively starting April 1.
City officials said the plan, as approved, is designed to invest in water main replacements and water system costs. Officials said that compared with other neighboring cities, DeKalb residents still can expect to pay among the lowest water rates in the region.
“I think that’s a fair proposition,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said.
Under the increase, the average monthly cost to service DeKalb residents is $43.93, which remains comparable with nearby communities, according to numbers provided by the city. The numbers show costs in Sycamore at $44.26, Waterman at $41.30, Elburn at $44.60, Sugar Grove at $45.62, Rochelle at $48.10, Genoa at $37.70 and Waterman at $41.30.
But that means the owner of a single-family home can expect to pay about $19.20 more per year, or $1.60 more per month.
Nicklas said the city is comfortably below communities that are considered DeKalb’s comparatives in the northern Illinois region.
Since 2016, DeKalb officials have approved an annual water rate increase,
ANSWERS puzzlesonpage13
saying it’s meant to help finance water main replacements. The city also has transferred two-thirds of each year’s rate increase from the Water Fund to the Water Capital Fund, which is meant to be used for water infrastructure, city documents show. The remaining one-third typically covers increases in operational costs of the city’s water system.
Nicklas said the city has two large commitments it is preparing to make investments in.
“One is a new well,” Nicklas said. “This is a shallow well, not a deep well, the [Illi-
nois Environmental Protection Agency] has informed us. We’ve got the possibility of borrowing for a well and also borrowing for some extension of a water transmission system.”
Nicklas said having the council’s support with the water rate increase was paramount for the city’s water infrastructure needs. The well could provide about 1 million more gallons per day, Nicklas said.
“The more expensive is beyond our ability to pay out of pocket, and that’ll be the transmission line extension,” he said.
Ground flowers bloom Friday among the fallen flowering crabapple petals in front of the Sycamore Public Library.
See photos, page 6.
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Photo by Mark Busch
Shaw Local News Network file photo
A DeKalb water tower stands in the distance March 2, 2017, in DeKalb.
Stage Coach Players performances
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Stage Coach Players will open its next production, the drama “Radium Girls,” on May 8.
The play is scheduled to run for two weeks.
“Radium Girls” tells the story of Grace Fryer, a U.S. Radium Corp. dial painter. Fryer is one of many female dial painters who become deathly ill with cancer and anemia. Her former employer, Arthur Roeder, doesn’t believe the element shrinking tumors is the cause of the women’s illnesses. Fryer risks everything for her day in court.
The cast includes Sydney Webster as Grace Fryer and Galen Malick as Arthur Roeder. The rest of the cast features Jan Booth, Steve Challgren, Nina Fontana, Barbara Cowan Kolb, Deanna Lamesch, Chris Porterfield, Bernie Schuneman, Josh Smith and Wendy Tritt.
“I remember hearing stories as a kid about factories where workers got sick from radioactive paint,” Malick said in a
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb library to hold blood drive May 7
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive to strengthen its blood supply.
The drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. May 7 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Donations of all blood types will be accepted. Appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call 800-7332767 or visit the American Red Cross website.
For information, email chelsear@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1700.
Kickball tournament fundraiser set for May 17 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Leadership Academy will host a “Cup-In-Hand Kickball: Retro Showdown” tournament fundraiser to benefit the DeKalb Chamber Leadership Academy endowment fund. The fundraiser will begin at 10:30 a.m. May 17 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road, DeKalb.
news release. “It wasn’t until I started working on this production of ‘Radium Girls’ that I learned the details of this huge case in New York that got national attention.”
“Radium Girls” is based on the 2000 play of the same name written by D.W. Gregory. The Stage Coach production will be directed by David W. Booth.
Webster said she read a book about the tragic history several years ago.
“I was moved by the courage and tragedy of the dial painters who were around the same age as I am,” she said in the release. “I want people to stand up for what they believe in, even if they end up standing alone.”
Performances of “Radium Girls” will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 8 through May 10 and May 16 through May 17 at Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. There also are matinee performances at 2 p.m. May 11 and 18.
Tickets cost $15 for seniors and children ages 13 and younger and $17 for everyone else. The tickets are available online at stagecoachplayers.com or through the box office at 815-758-1940.
The event also features family activities, a 50/50 raffle, and concessions. Attendees are encouraged to dress in decade-themed throwback attire.
Participants ages 18 and older can compete in teams of eight to 10. The teams will play double-elimination with two guaranteed played games. Prizes also will be awarded to the tournament champion and best-dressed team. The fundraisers will offer sponsorships. Registration is encouraged and costs $125 per team. To register, visit shorturl. at/ZvZzM or the fundraiser’s Facebook page.
The DeKalb Leadership Academy aims to cultivate and develop participants’ desires to serve the community through learning experiences that encourage self-discovery, foster relationships, embrace differences and inspire stewards.
For information, email DLAkickball2025@gmail.com or visit the fundraiser’s Facebook page. – Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Leslie Conklin
Back Alley Market, shown here in 2024, will return to downtown DeKalb on May 10, offering a chance for shoppers to browse all kinds of local wares and crafts.
Back Alley Market returns for Mother’s Day weekend
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Back Alley Market will return to downtown DeKalb for Mother’s Day weekend, offering a chance for shoppers to browse all kinds of local wares and crafts. This year’s springtime affair will offer more than 125 vendors in alleys and streets featuring vin-
tage items, art, baked goods, trinkets, food, speciality items, coffee, honey and more. The market also will feature food trucks and live music.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10 and is free to attend. Vendors will stage in Palmer Court off Second Street and the surrounding blocks.
For more information, visit facebook.com.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Kishwaukee Archers Club to host outdoor 3D shoot
May 17 and 18 in Sycamore
SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Archers Club will host the Safari Club International’s outdoor 3D shoot on May 17-18.
The shoot will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at the club, 28250 Lukens Road, Sycamore.
The event will feature a hunting and wildlife conservation education mobile trailer. The Safari Club International also will donate prizes including a Reinhart Raptor 3D Target.
The shoot’s first day costs $15 for club members and $20 for nonmembers. The second day costs $8 for club members and $10 for nonmembers. The event is free for ages 12 and younger. Registration is required; email jocelepage@gmail.com.
For information, visit kishwaukeearchers.org or the KishwauKee Archers Club Facebook page.
DeKalb library to offer forest therapy walk
DeKALB – Residents ages 16 and older can participate in a forest therapy walk offered by the DeKalb Public Library.
The walk, led by Beth Hanson, a Peace in Nature Forest Therapy certified forest therapy guide, will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. May 10 at P.A. Nehring Forest Preserve, 380 Bethany Road, DeKalb.
Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes, shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and bring a water bottle. Participants also can bring a camp chair for quiet time.
In the event of inclement weather, the walk will be canceled.
Because of limited space, registration is required; visit dkpl.org.
For information, email chelsear@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1700.
– Shaw Local News Network
was ravaged by fire on Dec. 22, 2024, and condemned.
DeKalb city declares apartment inhabitable months after fire
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The city of DeKalb announced Thursday the apartment at 930 Greenbriar Road is inhabitable again more than four months after a Dec. 22 fire.
The condemnation of the building was lifted April 30, according to the city. Work remains ongoing on another of the three-building rental space, part of the Terraces of DeKalb complex damaged in the fire. The building where the fire began at 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive, formerly known as Hunter Tri-Frat, was condemned and demolished in January.
“The city thanks the residents of the Terraces for their patience as these buildings are renovated to safe condi -
tions,” officials wrote on the city’s social media page.
Since the fire which displaced about 60 residents across the three buildings, efforts have been underway by the city to work with the owner and contractors on safety repairs.
City officials said residents should contact the Terraces property manager to make arrangements to return to the building. It’s not known how many units were occupied at the time of the fire.
The building at 934 Greenbriar Road remains uninhabitable with work continuing to bring it up to code, according to the city. Residents who lived in that building also were relocated.
The city’s building inspector did not respond to request for comment by press time.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Guided wildflower walks set for May 10 at Genoa forest preserve GENOA – The University of Illinois Extension will offer guided wildflower walks for Mother’s Day.
The walks will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10 at Russell Woods Forest Preserve’s Natural Resource Education Center, 11750 Route 72, Genoa. Attendees can learn about forest plants and what plants will bloom. University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will be at the center to welcome participants. The walks will be led by botany enthusi-
asts Karen Matz and Brian Hale.
“Visitors often ask us to come outside and help them identify one of the many beautiful, spring native wildflowers in the forest preserve,” University of Illinois educator Peggy Anesi said in a news release. “Spring is crucial for these delicate plants. The spring woodland flowers grow in wooded areas but come up early to capture enough sunlight to make food for themselves. If they wait too long, the shade of the trees blocks the precious light they need.”
For information, call 815-784-2000.
– Shaw Local News Network
Mark Busch file photo
An excavator drives past what remains of the apartments at 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive in DeKalb after some of the building was torn down. The structure
LOOKING BACK
1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
Complaint is received from many sources at this time relative to the practice of the little folks about town playing ball in the automobile traffic. In some parts of town, it is reported the little folks merely step over to one side a few feet to allow an auto to pass, not looking to see if another machine is coming. One man was compelled to stop his machine yesterday or collide with another, to avoid some children playing in the street. In nearly every instance, if some of these youngsters should get injured, the motorist would be to blame, in the minds of the parents and neighbors, at least.
Making an examination of the police station, the new members of the city police force yesterday found a hole in the west wall of the cell room at the police station where four inmates of the jail had made an effort to secure their freedom. Several bricks had been removed from the wall and with a little more work, the four men in the jail would have made their escape.
Workmen in the employ of DeKalb’s street department are busily engaged at this time in replacing the bricks on DeKalb Avenue, following the removal of the street car rails. The rails are being removed for a short distance and then the bricks are re-laid and within a short time the avenue will be fixed up in splendid shape again. The only difficulty that may arise will be that everyone driving a motor vehicle will try to keep in the center of the street as the sides are extremely rough in many places.
With only the stairway from the first to second floor remaining at noon today, the old European hotel will this evening be nothing more than a pile of wood. The work progressed very rapidly the past two days, when the greater part of the partitions had been removed. The only task now left will be to haul away the lumber that will not be used again and clearing away the debris on the site used by the old building.
1950 – 75 YEARS AGO
Cleanup Week, which starts Monday in DeKalb, is most timely. The wind storm has littered the entire city with branches, twigs and debris of various forms and shapes and a general cleanup is in order.
the city. The park board has deemed the property including buildings and a former airport hangar as surplus property.
America’s worldwide network of military bases is getting smaller. The Greeks on one side of the world and the Thais on the other are giving the United States its walking papers. The governments of Thailand and the United States announced jointly Monday more than one-quarter of the remaining U.S. forces in Thailand would be removed by June, dropping the total to below 19,500.
Contracts between three unions and the city of DeKalb have expired, but employees apparently have agreed to keep working until new contracts are signed. The city and the three unions agreed to make no public statements during negotiations. The city is negotiating separately with each union.
Out on the north portico of the courthouse in Sycamore are a couple mementoes of a bygone day and I’ll bet a lot of youngsters couldn’t even guess what those two iron rings about four feet from the roadway are there for. That, my little friends, was where papa and mama used to tie their horses when they wanted to dash into the courthouse for a minute.
Can you remember the days before the Rural Mail Service was started? To receive your mail in those days it meant a trip to the post office. It was practically impossible to receive a daily paper. Knowledge of world affairs was very limited. Today your mail is delivered at your door six days a week.
Over $1,300 has been received in the fund drive conducted in DeKalb on behalf of the American Cancer Society, according to E. A. P. Hutchison, chairman of the DeKalb drive. The fund campaign, which is being carried on throughout the nation, is to provide money so that the fight against cancer may be continued in force. Funds are used to carry on a three-pronged attack through research, education and service.
The Malta first and second grades are planning a get-aquatinted afternoon at which time all the pre-school children who
are enrolled this fall are invited. It is suggested that the parents accompany the child or children on this occasion and that some play articles be brought to the school by the child.
Sycamore city workers have smoothed out a few of the chuckholes on West State Street by the simple expedient of removing the ragged and useless blacktopping over the original brick pavement. A section of almost half a block in length on the south side of the street from Sacramento Street to the Theatre has been cleared of the chopped-up blacktop.
1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
A decision on transferring equipment purchased by the DeKalb Public Hospital Auxiliary to the Kishwaukee Community Health Services Center Hospital was postponed by the public hospital’s directors last night. The public hospital auxiliary requested the board recommend to the city council that all equipment purchased by the auxiliary during the last five years be transferred to the Kishwaukee facility.
The Sycamore Planning Commission last night approved a pre-annexation agreement between the Sycamore Park District and the city. The park district requested that 4.5 acres of the old airport property along Illinois 64 be annexed into
2000 – 25 YEARS AGO
The DeKalb County Board will get a recommendation from its committee overseeing pubic infrastructure and development issues to adopt a “wait-and-see” attitude toward the possible siting of a rail port facility in the county.
A new publication by the not-for-profit Gurler Heritage Association promises to bring back fond memories for some and provide a novel view into DeKalb’s past for others. Those who love the upbeat show tunes of the 1920s should be especially pleased with longtime local songster Francis Stroup’s new song book, “The Gurler House Story and Other Songs.” There are two songs featuring DeKalb’s most famous sons, including Baron De Kalb himself, and Ellwood, Glidden and Haish, inventors and manufacturers of barbed wire.
The manager of a building at Cross Street and DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore says neighbors are off-base when they complain about junk and garbage on the property. Residents appeared before the Sycamore City Council last week and asked the city to require the property owners to clean up the building and remove the trash.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives Construction of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau building can be seen looking northwest from Sixth and Oak streets in 1950. The Farm Bureau first occupied the offices this week in May 1951.
DeKalb leaders to discuss local grocery tax this summer
State grocery tax will expire Jan. 1, 2026
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – DeKalb city leaders could soon discuss whether to implement a local grocery tax as the state’s 1% grocery tax expires on Jan. 1, 2026.
Like other municipalities in Illinois, DeKalb is faced with a decision about the potential revenue loss.
A share of grocery tax goes to communities across the state annually. In DeKalb, this amounted to an estimated $800,000 in revenue for 2024, city officials have said. No decision on a DeKalb grocery tax has yet been made. The city’s fiscal 2025 budget has already been set. The council won’t vote on a 2026 budget until late in the year.
DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he believes bringing the matter before the council for discussion will be important. Barnes, who won reelection in April, campaigned in part on promises to ease taxpayer burdens on DeKalb residents.
Shoppers search the shelves Feb. 10 at DeKalb Fresh Market, 615 Oak St., DeKalb.
“If we do not replace that income, it would mean cuts and those cuts could be in police or fire or human services funding,” Barnes said. “It could be cuts to the aggressive street program that we have. A million dollar reduction is a significant hit.”
Neighboring municipalities have already started to take up the grocery
Barnes said he doesn’t want to replace the repealed grocery tax, but blames the state for what he said was tying the city’s hands with potential funding loss.
If the DeKalb City Council were to implement a tax, it wouldn’t be in addition, Barnes said, since the state tax is going away.
“The options are we perform cuts and significant cuts with the operations of the city of DeKalb, or we could continue having the grocery tax, which would not be an increase in tax at all,” he said. “It would be keeping what’s already there there.”
When asked where the City Council stands on the matter, Barnes said he believes he has a good idea.
tax conversation. Huntley last week enacted a 1% tax, as did Yorkville. Elected officials in Batavia, Oswego and McHenry said they also plan to debate whether to implement a tax in January.
Typically, the city of DeKalb allocates revenue generated from the state grocery tax toward departmental operations.
“Everyone is concerned about the million dollars in lost revenue and what are we going to do about it because we realize what we’re talking about,” he said. “We’re not talking about a tax increase. The only thing we’re talking about is keeping the existing tax in place.”
Barnes said he anticipates the City Council putting this issue to discussion in the next two to three months.
Megann Horstead file photo
NIU: Visas reinstated for all 5 international students
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The visas of five Northern Illinois University international students that were revoked by the federal government weeks ago have been reinstated, a university spokesperson said April 29.
NIU spokesperson Jami Kunzer provided the update to Shaw Local News Network about 3:30 p.m. April 29. It’s been about 20 days since news came to light that visas for international students across Illinois were terminated.
“The visas of five NIU international students that were revoked earlier this month have now been reinstated,” Kunzer said April 29. “Out of respect for privacy, the university will not be releasing any identifying information about those affected.”
It’s the latest is a slew of actions targeting students from other countries studying in the country legally.
On April 25, The Associated Press reported that federal immigration agents were reversing the termination of legal status for international students across the country. Multiple lawsuits were filed against the federal government on behalf of students living and studying in the country legally with visas.
It’s still not known why the NIU students lost their legal status. NIU again on April 29 declined to say whether the U.S. government gave the university a reason for the visa revocations. Officials have so far been tight-lipped about the visa actions, citing a desire to protect student privacy.
Some in the DeKalb community have rallied locally to oppose federal actions targeting people from other countries. Last month, demonstrators on campus were joined by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, and Cortland Mayor Mark Pietrowski, both Democrats, to support international students, faculty and staff. Pietrowski also works at NIU. Many in attendance at the rally on April 23 decried what they argued was a lack of due process from the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump’s plans to crack down on immigration and take punitive measures against higher education institutions in his first 100 days in office have faced similar public scrutiny.
Trump officials have claimed some students violated visa rules or threatened national security. Those opposed have argued that the government abruptly revoked visas with little evidence to support allegations against students.
NIU president signs letter with 500 colleagues to oppose government overreach
College presidents across the country also have spoken out openly against the Trump administration’s actions.
NIU President Lisa Freeman is one of more than 500 higher education institution leaders across the U.S. to sign an open letter against “the unprecedented overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”
The letter was published April 22 by the American Association of College and Universities and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
As of 4 p.m. April 29, the letter has 562 signatures, including from Freeman, President Matthew Turk of Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, President Aondover Tarhule of Illinois State University, President Zaldwaynaka Scott of Chicago State University, President Michael Schill of Northwestern University, President Kristi S. Mindrup of Western Illinois University, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda of Uni-
versity of Illinois-Chicago, President Daniel Mahony of Southern Illinois University, President Patricia A. Lynott of Rockford University, Interim President Robert D. Kreb of Lake Forest College, President Timothy Killeen of the University of Illinois System, Chancellor Robert J. Jones of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, President Lisa Jasinski of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, President Jiseon Lee Isbara of School of the Art Institute of Chicago, President Peggy Heinrich of Elgin Community College, Chancellor Janet L. Gooch of University of Illinois-Springfield, President Jay D. Gatrell of Eastern Illinois University, President Raj Echambadi of Illinois Institute of Technology.
On April 29, Kunzer also said NIU “remains steadfast in its support of international students and scholars ... during this stressful time.”
Kunzer directed international students and others from the NIU community to local resources the university has made available, including a March 30 statement from NIU’s Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
“We recognize that this is a stressful time for international students, faculty and staff at universities across the nation who hold foreign visas,” according to a joint March statement from NIU administrators Barbara Gonzalez and
Stephanie Brown. “You are valued members of our community, and we want to assure you that NIU is committed to supporting you.”
Gonzalez is vice president for faculty affairs and interim associate vice president for international affairs. Brown is director of international student and scholar services.
The letter urges those in the NIU community with visas to carry their status documents with them at all times, monitor their personal and NIU email accounts regularly, and know their rights and what to do if they are notified their visa has been revoked.
“Based on our current understanding, most visa revocation notices are being sent directly to the visa holder by the embassy where the visa was obtained,” according to the guidance.
NIU’s guidance for international students also encourages anyone with a threatened visa status to seek immigration legal counsel. The letter also provides links to resources including the university’s International Student and Scholar Services. The NIU office helps international students, employees and their families settle into life in the U.S. and offers visa assistance.
“We care about you, value your contributions to NIU and are here to support you‚” according to Gonzalez and Brown’s statement.
Shaw Local News Network file photo Northern Illinois University light pole banners are seen May 13, 2021, in DeKalb.
