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City budget hearing to continue DeKalb budget OK’d, but residents’ requests for 2nd public meeting granted By ADAM POULISSE apoulisse@shawmedia.com DeKALB – City Council members will host another public hearing today on the proposed DeKalb city budget for fiscal 2016 that could go to a vote, which includes general fund revenue of $34.7 million and $34.6 million in expenses. During a four-hour meeting June 8, aldermen amended the proposed budget to
include allocating $1 million in tax increment financing funds for road repairs in DeKalb’s two TIF districts and budgeting for a $450,000 surplus, upon recommendations from the Financial Advisory Committee. The budget covers a one-year period that begins July 1. Members of the committee also recommended a $450,000 surplus for the budget to account for what they considered onetime revenue sources such as a $250,000
transfer from the workers’ compensation fund. “I’m pleased to see the staff present a balanced budget with a surplus,” Mayor John Rey said. The council ultimately voted to approve the proposed budget, as amended, at the June 8 meeting, but the public hearing that began at the beginning of the meeting will continue today at the request of residents.
Equal pay, marijuana on social agenda for Rauner
“Any public comment is going to be there,” DeKalb Finance Director Cathy Haley said. “It was [the public’s] recommendation to continue the public hearing.” Rey said it’s all part of transparency. “It allows citizens to continue to provide their input to the council,” Rey said. “I encourage folks to look at the total budget in its context and not focus on a specific line item.”
John Rey
FATHER’S DAY DISCUSSION
By SOPHIA TAREEN and SARA BURNETT The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD – Throughout his campaign for governor, Bruce Rauner asserted he didn’t have a social agenda and was focused solely on Illinois’ deepening financial crisis. He’ll now be forced to stake out positions on a range of social issues thanks to the majority-Democrat General Assembly passing proposals this spring that would, among other things, reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, ban therapists from trying to change a young person’s sexuality and ensure employers pay women at rates equal to men. Any of the bills could spark the controversy the first-term Republican hoped Bruce to bypass. Rauner “The campaign was all about laying low on all the social issues and stressing the tax and economic issues,” said John Jackson, a visiting professor at Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. “This is time to begin to find out where he really stands.” Rauner hasn’t signaled how he’ll proceed. Six months after taking office, he still refuses to detail his stance on samesex marriage or immigration reform. When pressed about four issues in particular – decriminalizing marijuana, legalizing the drug for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, requiring equal pay and banning gay conversation therapy – a Rauner spokeswoman emailed a standard reply: “The governor will carefully consider any legislation that crosses his desk.” How Rauner acts could further complicate his relationships in Springfield. Signing the bills may irritate his GOP base, while vetoing could irk Democrats. He’s already deadlocked with Democrats over a state spending plan and is trying to influence public perception through critical television ads. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has accused Rauner of being “extreme” in budget talks. He’s also in the middle of negotiations with Illinois’ largest public employee union after some
Nick Brooks for Shaw Media
Pastor Sean Johnson of Cathedral of Praise leads DeKalb community members in a conversation about racism and community violence Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeKalb.
Seeking understanding Residents gather to talk about violence, race in community By ADAM POULISSE apoulisse@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Six months ago, Fred Torres was leaving Chuck E. Cheese with his wife and two daughters, 18 and 6, but his car battery needed a boost. He asked people for help as they left the popular kiddie establishment, but he only received racist remarks hurled at him. “That night, I had to explain to my [6-year-old] daughter what a Mexican was for the first time,” said Torres, who lives in DeKalb. “We explained it to her, but it wasn’t until we got home, my wife and I went to bed, and we talked about it and we both
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ty at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road. That night, I had to explain to my [6-year-old] Based off the ideology associated with Martin Luther King daughter what a Mexican was Jr., the community hosts regufor the first time. lar Sunday dinners that work to gather people of different races, sexual orientation, ideology and Fred Torres backgrounds to break bread and DeKalb resident discuss current events. During a question-andanswer session with the dads, community members asked cried.” such as race and violence, as them about their approaches to For Father’s Day, Torres was seen in the recent shooting at a fatherhood, social media and exone of several area fathers who church in Charleston, South Car- posure of their children to the led a discussion among commu- olina. tragedies that fill newscasts. nity members about being a faThe discussion was hosted ther and tackling tough issues, by DeKalb’s Beloved CommuniSee DISCUSSION, page A4
See RAUNER, page A4
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Folk festival
Clean water
Tour de Farms
Gurler House hosts annual event featuring local bands / A3
DeKalb city engineer talks about filtration system he created to aid Mexico / A2
Bikers gearing up for charity ride to benefit those with MS / A8
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