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DAILY CHRONICLE Former Sycamore baseball players return to play in alumni game / B1
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University Village plan on agenda DeKalb City Council to discuss zoning change request for redevelopment project By BRITTANY KEEPERMAN bkeeperman@shawmedia.com DeKALB – The City Council will have the chance to advance a proposed University Village redevelopment agreement at its meeting Monday, but isn’t expected to make a final decision regarding zoning changes for the city’s largest apartment complex. On May 13, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the city deny a
request from Seattle-based Security Properties to rezone University Village, 733 Annie Glidden Road, to a planned unit development. The designation is important because it would allow the company to rebuild the complex at its existing density in the event of a disaster. The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Municipal Complex, 200 S. Fourth St., DeKalb. After the commissioners’
Abortion rates fall in Illinois, nationwide
negative recommendation, city staff continued to discuss key points with Security Properties for the proposed rezoning, according to city documents. Staff members will ask the City Council for direction on how to proceed with John Rey the negotiations. Mayor John Rey said he is
pleased with how negotiations have gone so far. “They have been moving forward with Security Properties in a positive fashion,” Rey said. “Security Properties is now willing to contribute a lot more per unit, about $39,350. They are also addressing more health, life and safety concerns.” Initially, Security Properties proposed spending about $27,000 a unit, according to city documents.
DeKalb’s Unified Development Ordinance limits new development to 12 units per acre, so in the event of a catastrophic loss, Security Properties would be unable to rebuild. Rezoning the property would allow the company to buy and renovate the 534-unit apartment complex. If the property isn’t rezoned, Security Properties can’t get financing for the project.
The company plans to construct additions to the existing community center, add playground equipment and convert the swimming pool into a splash pad. The proposed renovation project also would address numerous security and safety issues, including adding lighting in dark areas and upgrading fire alarm systems. The issue of net density has so far been the most problematic – the existing density is 18 units per acre.
See COUNCIL, page A4
GRADUATION 2015 DeKALB
‘Be passionate, take chances’
By CARLA K. JOHNSON
AS SO F2 01 5
CHICAGO – The annual number of abortions in Illinois is continuing to fall, reflecting a national trend and reaching the lowest point in a decades-long decline. The latest figures show that there were 40,750 surgical abortions performed in Illinois in 2013, which is 2.6 percent fewer than the 41,859 performed in 2010, Illinois Department of Public Health data show. The numbers do not include abortions induced by prescription-only pills containing the drug mifepristone, which is also known as RU-486. Illinois plans to include pill-induced abortions in its next report. The Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, recently estimated that medical abortions in 2011 accounted for 23 percent of all abortions nationwide. Women traveling from other states for abortions in Illinois raised the totals by approximately 3,000 abortions each year. Illinois has less restrictive abortion laws than neighboring states and shares borders with Missouri and Indiana, two states among the most aggressive in passing abortion restrictions. Illinois does require girls younger than age 18 to notify a parent or adult family member 48 hours before an abortion, unless a judge grants a waiver. Otherwise, Illinois abortion laws are considered unrestrictive compared to other states’, and public funding is available for medically necessary abortions. Nationwide, abortions have decreased by about 12 percent since 2010, according to an Associated Press survey of health data. The biggest decreases were shared almost equally by Republican-led states that have joined in enacting a wave of anti-abortion laws in recent years and states that have rejected such measures while protecting abortion rights. In Illinois, teen pregnancy rates are falling, which may account for some of the drop in abortions. Abortion-rights advocates also credit education and increasing access to contraceptives. Pro-life activists, meanwhile, cite changing attitudes toward terminating a pregnancy. “This is the most pro-life generation we’ve seen in history,” said Emily Zender of Illinois Right to Life. Illinois has more than 50 pregnancy resource centers that offer counseling about alternatives to abortion, Zender said. Two Illinois abortion clinics closed in recent years following a sweep of state inspections. Abortion-rights advocates believe women who would have visited those now-closed clinics found abortions available elsewhere.
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The Associated Press
Nick Brooks for Shaw Media
Kara Alvarez (left) and Alexcie Anderson (right) flip their tassels as they become graduates of DeKalb High School during commencement Saturday at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center in DeKalb.
DeKalb High School highlights graduates’ accomplishments By AIMEE BARROWS news@daily-chronicle.com DeKALB – Rodney Wilson has known the value of education since he was in elementary school. His mother made sure of that. “My mom was such a great influence on me,” Wilson said. “She’s been there for me, pushing me to do well. I come from an educated family, so I know that education is key and knowledge is powerful.” And all that hard work paid off for Wilson, who was one of about 350 graduates
from DeKalb High School, which held its graduation ceremony Saturday morning at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center. Wilson was the recipient of the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholarship, which is awarded to a student based on academics, leadership, community service and financial need. Wilson, who will attend NIU this fall, said he plans to study English or communications and hopes to go to law school after that. LaCretia Konan, Wilson’s mother, said she was immensely proud of her son.
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Local talent showcased at annual art show in Sycamore / A3
Literacy on the Lawn promotes youth literacy, set for Saturday at NIU / A3
Kaneland one win away from state semis after 12-0 win / B1
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“He’s always worked so hard, even from a young age,” she said. “I’m glad he sees that working hard does pay off, and he’s so ready for the challenge of NIU.” Tamra Ropeter, DeKalb High School principal, said this class is special because this is the first class to complete all four years at the new building. She said she’s “very proud of these kids” because of their academic and athletic accomplishments. “We’ve had several state qualifiers among
See DeKALB, page A4
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