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STUDENTS BID FAREWELL TO NIU
Photos by Nick Brooks for Shaw Media
ABOVE: Northern Illinois University President Douglas Baker applauds students as they prepare to earn their bachelor’s degrees Saturday at the commencement ceremony at the Convocation Center. LEFT: Kristen Giuffre of Downers Grove and Ashley Heithoff of St. Charles try on their caps as they prepare Saturday for the commencement ceremony.
HATS OFF
NIU graduate Michelle Matusiak walks across the stage Saturday at the commencement ceremony in the Convocation Center.
Local graduates celebrate at commencement ceremony By AIMEE BARROWS news@daily-chronicle.com DeKALB – Kaitlyn King’s father told his daughter that he was as close as she needed, but as far away as she wanted as he dropped her off at her dorm her freshman year at Northern Illinois University. That was four years ago. King, a Sycamore resident, graduated with honors from NIU at Saturday’s commencement ceremo-
ny at the Convocation Center. “I lived in the dorms and then in an apartment, so I did get that home-away-fromhome experience,” said the 22-year-old, who graduated from Sycamore High School in 2011. “My parents were good about being there if I needed them, but also good about giving me space.” King earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and language pathology with a minor in deafness rehabilitation. She said NIU
wasn’t her first choice when deciding on colleges, but looking back, she made the right decision to stay close to home. “NIU has a great program for my major, and I got a lot of financial assistance,” she said. “I also got a lot of the college experiences that I wanted at NIU. I joined a sorority and later became president of that organization, so I was able to meet a lot of people and just be involved on campus. I also know I got a well-rounded education.”
Sycamore OKs agreements “We’re very appreciative of the fire chief and city manager ... and [that] both of the unions have settled,” Mayor Ken Mundy said. “We’re very pleased.” By ADAM POULISSE Gregory’s apoulisse@shawmedia.com new contract SYCAMORE – The city lasts through has begun its new fiscal year A p r i l 2 0 2 0 , with new contracts with two with an annulabor unions – the Fraternal al salary startOrder of Police Lodge No. 133 ing at $123,585 Ken Mundy and the American Federation or $159,879.41 of State, County and Munici- with benefits. He has been employed pal Employees Local 3957 – as well as with Fire Chief Pete with the city since 2001 and Polarek and City Manager has been city manager since 2011. Brian Gregory.
Staff, unions get contract approval
“It’s an honor to serve as “It’s an honor to serve city manager and lead a great group of people and individuas city manager and als,” Gregory said. “There are lead a great group of a lot of dedicated employees.” Gregory said that his long- people and individuals.” term goals and objectives align with the comprehensive plan that was OK’d by the SycBrian Gregory amore City Council last year, Sycamore city manager which includes beautifying the city and attracting more businesses to the city. “I like to think the arrow’s with benefits. Polarek has pointing up,” Gregory said. been chief since 2012, but As fire chief, Polarek’s con- joined the city in 2010. tract extends until April 2019, Both Gregory and Polarek with his annual salary starting at $110,021, or $133,364.36 See CONTRACTS, page A5
One thing King was very proud of during her time at NIU was being a member of the Student Health Advisory Council, or SHAC. The group serves as a student voice for the university’s Health Services. “When I was there, we started giving out ‘flu kits’ that contained hand sanitizer, Gatorade, soup and tissues to students when they came to Health Services because of the
See COMMENCEMENT, page A5
Horse tracks push for slots for a boost By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER The Associated Press COLLINSVILLE – The promotions meant to drum up interest in horse racing at 90-year-old Fairmount Park among customers more comfortable staring at an iPhone than a tip sheet are creative and constant. Horse Hooky is designed to lure those willing to skip out of work early each Tuesday to drink cheap draft beer and eat even cheaper hot dogs. Couch potatoes can rent six-person so-
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Sandwich Antiques Show features variety of items from across state / A3
Ex-DeKalb County state’s attorney to run again in ’16 / A3
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fas in the grandstand. Saturday nights in the summer offer live bands, and more cheap beer. Despite the party vibe, attendance continues to plummet at this southwestern Illinois horse track and the state’s four others. Purses are low, betting is down and horse owners are increasingly spurning Illinois tracks for venues in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and other nearby states that have paired some casinos with ponies, according to track owners.
See CASINOS, page A5
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