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Cannon silenced at NIU games
DeKalb County on film
School to end practice of firing gun after TDs By EDDIE CARIFIO ecarifio@shawmedia.com
Photos by Monica Synett – msynett@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois University media studies assistant professor Randy Caspersen works on editing a documentary he shot with several media students called “Go Penguins! Voices of The Penguin Project” in his office Friday in Watson Hall.
Documentary filmmakers capture area in variety of projects By ADAM POULISSE apoulisse@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Randy Caspersen sees DeKalb County from a different perspective – through his camera lens. Caspersen is a local filmmaker, in addition to being an associate media studies professor at Northern Illinois University. His current endeavor is “Go Penguins! Voices of The Penguins Project,” a planned 85-minute documentary about The Penguin Project, a theater troupe for children with disabilities who work together all summer to put on a play in the fall. Caspersen already has shot 500 hours of footage, he said. “What makes it unique is it’s children with different disabilities – visually impaired, autism, they could be in a wheelchair, mental disabilities,” Caspersen said. “They work all summer to put on a show. It’s a story about that process.” Although Hollywood productions will occasionally roll into DeKalb County, the area is consistently buzzing with a community of documentary filmmakers using movie magic to capture DeKalb
latest work, “Think Globally, Act Locally,” chronicles local efforts to create a food hub so small-time farmers can increase the region’s access to healthy foods while creating a grounded economy. It will premiere at the 12th International Pascal Conference in Catania, Italy, in October. Also in Vazquez’s canon: documentaries about labor equality fighters and being a college male. Many were in conjunction with NIU students. “I’m very interested in helping students use documentary filmmaking to develop an awareness of social issues and become involved Caspersen works on editing a documentary he shot with several media stu- in social issues,” Vazquez said. dents called “Go Penguins! Voices of The Penguin Project” Friday in his office In 2006, she developed a summer course that granted six NIU in Watson Hall. students the opportunity to travel County’s unique stories and his“Narrative filmmaking is lo- to California and work on “Sliptory. gistically more difficult. It takes stream,” a indie narrative film “There’s value in the spaces more people to do it, more money,” written by, directed by and starout here because they look differ- Caspersen said. “That can be very ring Anthony Hopkins. ent from what I’d call typical [lo- daunting for people, as opposed Vazquez just finished filming cations],” Caspersen said. “Here, to a documentary where you can a documentary about the DeKalb there are different landscapes, shoot with yourself or a few other County CourtWatch program, especially if you have a different people if you have interested sub- a group of community members point of view.” jects.” who ensure that victims of domesCaspersen teaches script writLaura Vazquez, also an NIU tic violence receive fair treatment ing and filmmaking at NIU, and professor, has given the university in court. has made several narrative films, and the county national exposure documentaries and music videos. through her documentaries. Her See FILM, page A5
DeKALB – The familiar boom of cannon fire after a Huskies touchdown will disappear from Northern Illinois football games this season, instead replaced with fireworks and a new fan seating section, NIU officials said Monday. The addition of the Endzone Club in the south end More zone with room for about coverage 300 spectators means the cannon, most recently an M119 A2 Howitzer from Views: Getting rid the Illinois National Guard of the cannon a good Armory in Sycamore, no move, PAGE B1. longer has a place at the Will you miss the games. Morris White, assis- cannon at Northern tant athletics director for Illinois University marketing and game ex- football games? Vote perience, said athletic de- at Daily-Chronicle. partment representatives com. informed the Guard of the change Monday. White added the cannon would be replaced by fireworks after every NIU touchdown, as well as during the national anthem and after the game. He said the new seating was the main reason for discontinuing the cannon. “We listen to [fan] feedback, and that translates to more amenities for fans at the games,” White said. “We added the Coaches Club last year, and this year we have the awesome experience that allows fans on the field to watch the game from a unique perspective. Occupying 300 people with food down there, the proximity of the cannon would hinder that experience. That’s one of the main reasons we’re unable to proceed.” National Guard Capt. Dutch Grove said the unit was disappointed they would not be able to fire the howitzer anymore, but understood the school’s decision. “The soldiers enjoyed interacting with Huskie fans, Huskie nation if you will,” Grove said. “Any chance we have at community relations – like a float in a parade or what have you – it’s a great showcase for us. The NIU games are a fun atmosphere. We’re disappointed we won’t be
See CANNON, page A5
Rauner: Illinois to review new federal power plant limits By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER The Associated Press ST. LOUIS – Gov. Bruce Rauner offered little insight Monday into whether Illinois, which the federal government said ranks near the bottom in emissions-reduction goals, will join other states and challenge new stringent rules for power plants. The first-term Republican’s office responded cautiously after President Barack Obama announced his much-anticipated Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from domestic power plants – within 15 years – by more than
30 percent from 2005 levels. In a one-sentence statement, Rauner said his administration is assessing the measure and its “impacts on Illinois,” which could include a loss of jobs in parts of the state that have long relied on coal production. Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett cited the state’s “tremendous energy diversity” and a need to balance pollution control with affordable electricity in a statement Monday, which didn’t signal whether the state would join others in challenging the plan. Rauner, a venture capitalist and self-described environmentalist, has previously said
the state needs a “broad-based portfolio of energy options.” He’s also alluded to the “incredible energy opportunity” found in southern Illinois, with coal, hydraulic fracturGov. Bruce ing, oil and gas Rauner resources that could generate much-needed tax revenue and jobs as he and Illinois lawmakers plod ahead into the second month of a fiscal year without an approved state budget in place. A federal court last month
dismissed a suit by Oklahoma, West Virginia and another dozen states challenging the federal plan. But industry groups quickly announced their intent to again fight the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules in court. The opponents include Murray Energy Corp., an Ohio company that is the nation’s largest underground coal mine operator and owns several Illinois mines. The EPA said Illinois has one of the “least stringent” emission-reduction goals compared to other states, with interim goals starting in 2022 that are more attainable than
the proposed targets set earlier. The deadlines to both spell out ways to reduce pollution as well as to achieve those targets have been pushed back by several years. Rauner’s reticence aside, many elected leaders in the state responded quickly to the tougher emissions standards. Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican, criticized what he called “a war on coal” that will raise energy prices, damage the economy and place the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage compared to other countries. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat
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Area educators learn teaching strategies at NIU conference / A3
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and former White House chief of staff for Obama, praised his ex-boss for making good “on his promise to protect future generations and address climate change.” In Springfield, a coalition of environmental groups used the president’s announcement to push for passage of the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, legislation that would increase the state’s mandated use of renewable energy to 35 percent by 2030. “A better environment and a better economy go hand in hand,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
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