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Revised plan addresses concerns $21M redevelopment of University Village gets mixed reviews from DeKalb City Council By BRITTANY KEEPERMAN bkeeperman@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Increased quality of life is needed in University Village and a redevelopment project proposed by Security Properties will address some concerns, according to the mayor. The City Council met Monday to again consider an agreement with Security Properties, the Seattle-based company that proposes to buy and renovate DeKalb’s largest
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become 100 percent affordable housing. “I’m pleased to see the To listen to amenities and physical imMayor John Rey provements proposed by the talk about the University Village developer,” Mayor John Rey said. “And I’m pleased to see redevelopment an increasing relationship project, visit with tenant management, and www.tout.com/m/4wz6fr. the relationship that has been built between the city and Sehousing complex, University curity Properties.” The company proposes to Village, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road. The complex is most- invest at least $21 million into ly low-income housing and, the rehabilitation project. with redevelopment, would They also will put up $200,000
up front for social services and an additional $20,000 a year over a 15-year period. Security is a key component in the rehab project, Security Properties representative Steve Teselle said. “We want University Village to be a safe place to live and a safe place to be a neighbor to,” he said. “Our proposal outlines lighting and landscaping upgrades. … As well as upgrades to the property’s security system.” The DeKalb Police Depart-
ment would be provided with remote access to the camera feeds. An on-site substation would be available for DeKalb police use, as well. Interior and exterior elements throughout the 534unit, 32.5-acre complex will be replaced, such as windows, roofing, appliances and aging heating, venting and cooling equipment. Much of that equipment and household appliances are original to the complex, which is about 40 years old,
Teselle said. The developer plans to fund the project in part using low-income housing tax credits. In order to get financing, the property must be rezoned to allow it to be rebuilt at current net density in the event of a natural disaster. The complex currently sits at a density of 18 units an acre, whereas local ordinances limit new development to 12 units an acre.
See HOUSING, page A5
Chicago schools budget banks on state funds not yet approved
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
Photos by Danielle Guerra – dguerra@shawmedia.com
DeKalb High School’s football team takes the field to warm up Monday before afternoon practice as storm clouds roll into DeKalb during the first day of practice. The team was rained on, but not forced indoors. Which local high school football team will have the most successful season? Vote now at Daily-Chronicle.com.
Teams kick off 1st day of football practice despite rain By DAILY CHRONICLE sports@daily-chronicle.com Sycamore’s offense had to hold its practice indoors. DeKalb got drenched at the start of its practice. Sporadic rainstorms on the first day football teams were allowed to practice took its toll on area teams Monday. “At least we have a place to go,” Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. “It wasn’t ideal, but you get into situations like that on a Friday night, so you have to adapt.” Even with the rain making itself felt by the Barbs, the players were happy with the practice. “Today was an intense practice,” senior linebacker Leif Williams said. “We have high expectations this year, so the expectations in practice are even higher. I think we’ll get there.” The first games are Aug. 28, with the Barbs going to Plainfield North and Sycamore going to Lincoln-Way West. Last year, rain messed with Week 1 of the football season, with the Barbs playing a couple hours later than normal and Sycamore’s game needing to be fin- The DeKalb High School football team huddles after the first day of IHSA practice Monday in DeKalb. For more coverished the following day. age on the start of the prep football season, turn to PAGE B1.
CHICAGO – Officials with cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools ratcheted up their plea for help from Springfield on Monday, detailing a proposed $5.7 billion operating budget that banks on nearly $500 million in pension relief from the state that might not get approved. The spending plan had been expected to be bleak, with officials in the nation’s third-largest district struggling to close a more than $1.1 billion shortfall. CPS officials acknowledged the proposal – which includes teacher layoffs and a property tax increase – was an “unsustainable” combination of borrowing and cuts but said there was no other choice with a Gov. Bruce $676 million teacher pension pay- Rauner ment required by state law. “Our goal is to protect pensions and to protect the classroom,” CEO Forrest Claypool said. “To do that, it means everybody’s got to pitch in.” However, attempts at a legislative fix have been unsuccessful. Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to tie financial aid to other reforms, such as giving communities across the state power to limit unions’ collective bargaining. The first-term Republican called his third news conference in recent days on the issue, saying he took the school budget as a signal the district was ready to make “structural changes” and he was ready to negotiate. He wouldn’t say if Illinois could afford the $480 million “pension equity” money CPS wants before Jan. 1, saying he hadn’t seen details. He has said before that CPS gets special treatment. “The power of the teachers union has been overwhelming. Chicago has given and given and given. It’s created the financial crisis that the Chicago schools face now,” he said, adding he was headed to Springfield to discuss the issue with legislative leaders. The Chicago Teachers Union, in the midst of negotiating a new contract, blasted the CPS plan for including money not approved by legislators and for wanting to end the district’s practice of picking up a percentage of teachers’ retirement contribution. CTU President Karen Lewis said it amounted to a pay cut. The budget outlines 479 teacher layoffs, although traditionally most are rehired by the district. There are more than 1,400 teaching positions to be filled before school starts. The district’s request for state help comes as Rauner and the Democrat-controlled Legislature remain deadlocked over a budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. Rauner vetoed most of the plan legislative Democrats sent him. Overtime attempts at knocking out a budget have been unproductive, but state spending has continued through court orders and other legislation. Two House panels heard testimony Monday on a bill authorizing the spending of nearly $5 billion of “pass-through” federal money that
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