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New steakhouse planned Developer mum on project at Small’s Furniture site in DeKalb By KATIE DAHLSTROM kdahlstrom@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Developer John Pappas plans to open a bar and restaurant called the Ellwood Steakhouse at his development at the former Small’s Furniture City site along Sycamore Road. The Ellwood Steakhouse would take up 4,200 square feet in the retail center at 2227 Sycamore Road, or about one-third of the building. According to Pappas’ liquor license application, part of the space would be designated a restaurant, while a separate entrance would lead to a bar, accessible only by patrons age 21 and older. Although Pappas applied for a liquor license from the city of DeKalb to open the restaurant and bar, he hasn’t started any construction at
the site yet. If aldermen approve the liquor license, Pappas will have six months to complete his proposed renovations. Without a liquor license or building permits in place, Pappas said he isn’t releasing any more details. “It’s way too early,” Pappas said. “I can’t discuss it anymore.” Pappas received $432,900 in tax increment financing incentives from the city of DeKalb for the $4.2 million development. He has a little more than six years left to pay back the city’s investment through sales and property tax revenues generated by the development. As part of the agreement, he razed the former Small’s Furniture City to make way for the 12,950-square-foot strip center. American Mattress, the first tenant, opened in November. Sales tax revenue from American
D-428 class size concerns teachers Officials can move students if room capacity reached By KATIE DAHLSTROM kdahlstrom@shawmedia.com
Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com
Developer John Pappas plans to open a steakhouse and bar in the center section of the retail plaza at 2227 Sycamore Road in DeKalb. Mattress, however, does not count toward reimbursing the city because it’s not listed as one of the designated uses in the contract between Pappas and the city, according to the May 2013 development agreement.
A full-service restaurant was the target tenant for the property and will count toward repaying the sales tax, said Roger Hopkins, the city’s
See STEAKHOUSE, page A10
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
BAKER MARKS FIRST YEAR
DeKALB – With school starting in less than three weeks, District 428 leaders are trying to ease Huntley Middle School teachers’ worries that class sizes will be larger than those at Clinton Rosette Middle School. Becky Mascal, a Huntley math teacher, said she has grave concerns about the balance between enrollment at the district’s two middle schools. She questions whether classes at Huntley will exceed the 35-student limit the district tries to follow, and if Clinton Rosette is looking at a similar situation. “We have an opportunity to address this issue before school starts,” Mascal said Tuesday during the district’s school board meeting. “I ask you tonight to make a pledge to provide an equitable education to all middle school students.” As of Tuesday, school board President Tracy Williams said 431 students had registered at Clinton Rosette and 733 had registered at Huntley. Clinton Rosette has 27 full-time staff members while Huntley has 45. Although enrollment numbers
See CLASS SIZE, page A10
Voice your opinion What do you think is the maximum acceptable middle school class size? Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com.
U.S. bombs militants as crisis grows By DIAA HADID and BRAM JANSSEN The Associated Press
Danielle Guerra – dguerra@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois University President Doug Baker stands in front of Altgeld Hall on July 29. Four pillars – student-career success, ethically inspired leadership, thriving communities, and financial and program viability – have mainly steered Baker’s efforts in his first year.
President reflects on his time at university, looks toward future By JESSI HAISH jhaish@shawmedia.com
D
eKALB – The image of Doug Baker on the sidelines of a Northern Illinois University basketball game high-fiving students is one that – to Joe Palmer – represents Baker’s commitment to engaging students. “Anyone who speaks to Baker knows he cares, and it’s awesome to have that,” said Palmer, a senior at NIU and director of public affairs for the Student Association. “Baker came in with a lot of initiative and [had his] boots on the ground quickly. From the [Student Association] side, that’s really exciting to see positive action actually taking place.”
As students return to classes Aug. 25, Baker will begin his sophomore year as NIU’s president, most likely attending more games, but also pushing forward with his visions for student-career success. Palmer looks forward to Baker continuing to work with the student government organization this upcoming school year. Baker began as the university’s president July 1, 2013. Previously, the executive vice president at the University of Idaho, he replaced John Peters, who retired June 30, 2013. Baker said he plans to stay at NIU for “as long as they’ll have me.” In his first year, Baker was criticized by some for high-level staff pay rates and by
See BAKER, page A9
Doug Baker facts Twitter: @DougBakerNIU Facebook: DougBakerNIU Hometown: Hood River, Oregon Age: 58 Family: Wife, Dana Stover; two daughters, Hannah and Robin Last job: University of Idaho executive vice president
Online n To watch video of Doug Baker reflecting on his first
year at NIU, and a photo list showing key moments from Baker’s tenure, visit Daily-Chronicle.com. n For more information about the past year at NIU, visit yearinreview.niu.edu.
IRBIL, Iraq – The U.S. unleashed its first airstrikes in northern Iraq against militants of the Islamic State group Friday amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. The extremists took captive hundreds of women from a religious minority, according to an Iraqi official, while thousands of other civilians fled in fear. Many of America’s allies backed the U.S. intervention, pledging urgent steps to assist the legions of refugees and displaced people. Those in jeopardy included thousands of members of the Yazidi religious minority whose plight – trapped on a mountaintop by the militants – prompted the U.S. to airdrop crates of food and water to them. The extremists’ “campaign of terror against the innocent, including the Yazidi and Christian minorities, and its grotesque and targeted acts of violence bear all
See IRAQ, page A9
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