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A CLOSER LOOK ILLINOISANS ARE ‘STRONGEST ASSET’

Lawmaker meets with DeKalb mayor to visit $1B facility under construction expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the area

By MEGANN HORSTEAD

mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Months after several high-profile corporations announced plans to move regional-based headquarters out of state, Sen. Dick Durbin said during a visit to Meta’s DeKalb Data Center Thursday he believes Illinois still has a bright economic future.

Durbin made a stop in DeKalb Thursday to tour the progress now underway at the construction site of Meta’s $1 billion data center. Meta is the parent company of social media giant Facebook.

The facility, located along Interstate 88 and Gurler Road, is expected to bolster the local economy by hundreds of jobs after an expansion was announced in April.

“What Meta is doing here in DeKalb is amazing,” Durbin said after the tour Thursday. “It’s incredible. Thank goodness they chose DeKalb and Illinois to be part of it. This is a massive investment. It is a game-changer for a lot of lives.”

The Democratic senator’s DeKalb stop was one of several planned in northern Illinois. During a Thursday stop in Dixon, Durbin also said he believes lawmakers “ought to draw a line” on assault weapons days after a Fourth of July mass shooting Highland Park left seven and dozens more injured.

The Meta DeKalb project promises to employ about 200 operational jobs and is enlisting the services of 1,200 construction workers.

In response to spring announcements that several high-profile businesses, Caterpillar, Boeing and Citadel, plan to move their Chicago-based headquarters out of state, Durbin said he believes Illinois still offers a compelling pitch for businesses.

“I think we continue to sell our strongest asset: the people who live here,” Durbin said.

The lawmaker said it’s been his experience while working to entice businesses to put down roots in the state that Illinois labor is a selling point.

“I think back on all the different ventures I’ve been involved in trying to attract businesses,” Durbin continued. “The successful ones all say, ‘We like your people.’ They’re hardworking, they’ve got a work ethic, they can learn on the job, they can improve themselves and take pride in their work. That is I think a real showcase of the Midwest right here when it comes to our workforce.”

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said Meta is committed to providing good paying jobs.

“They’re all excellent opportunities, excellent jobs for everyone,” Barnes said. “So, well above what you’re asking.”

DeKalb city leaders worked for more than a year to entice the social media giant – which also owns Instagram, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and the virtual reality platform Oculus – to put down roots on the city’s south side.

Among the offers made to help lure the company here, DeKalb County area governments worked together to approve a multi-decade tax incentive for Meta.

The data center is privy to a 20-year, 55% property tax abatement plan, already approved by the DeKalb City Council and agreed upon through the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone, a program administered by the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. The tax incentive includes a stipulation of 50 tech jobs with a starting wage of $38.50 an hour to qualify for tax abatements within the first few years, documents show.

Durbin said the tour of Meta’s data center prompted him to get a good impression of the city.

“I’m bedazzled by what I’ve seen here,” Durbin said. “Ferrara’s right across the street. Meta’s undertaking here. … It’s an exciting experience here to come and see all these new investments. You can see a bright future for this area.”

Barnes said he thinks that that Meta and the construction engineering company the social media giant is employing, Mortenson, will leave a lasting impact on the community.

“That impact that they’re already having in our community has been substantial,” Barnes said. “Many [workers] are living in our community as well. They’re buying houses. They’re renting apartments. So, the economic impact … goes well beyond just this particular project. It ripples on the individual small business owner in our community.”

Durbin said Meta’s decision to build in DeKalb couldn’t come at a better time.

“It’s a major investment in our state at a time when some people are questioning the future of Illinois. They say come to DeKalb, see what’s happening here.”

Barnes gave kudos not only to Durbin but also Sen. Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, for their support of the city.

With the 2022 Midterm election months away, Durbin addressed presidential prospects for the Democrats and said it’s too early to throw support behind President Joe Biden for a 2024 White House campaign.

“The president has to decide his own future first,” Durbin said. “I’ve been working with him in his days in office to make him a success. We’ve got a lot of things we can achieve together.”

Megann Horstead – mhorstead@shawmedia.com Sen. Dick Durbin speaks to members of the press during a stop in DeKalb Thursday to tour Meta’s DeKalb Data Center. Meta is the parent company of social media giant, Facebook. Durbin’s DeKalb stop was one of several planned throughout northern Illinois.

SYCAMORE

Route 64 water main work complete, next phase begins July 11

By SHANE TAYLOR

staylor@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Weeks of water main construction along Illinois Route 64 near downtown Sycamore was completed Thursday, with new work expected to begin on Exchange Street next week.

Sycamore city officials confirmed this week that street improvements on the state route from Locust Street to Sabin Street is complete, according to a Thursday construction update posted by the city of Sycamore.

Construction included mainline water main work, which is now being tested. Drive lanes along Route 64 were also patched.

“Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our community’s infrastructure,” city staff wrote in a social media post.

Full information regarding each project that includes streets, water main and water tower painting can be found on the city’s website www. cityofsycamore.com.

Water main, lead service updates

More water main work will start on Exchange Street from Walnut to Sabin Street the week of July 11, according to the city. Residents and motorists should be alert for signs that will prohibit parking in certain areas during construction, according to the city’s plans.

The replacement of residential water pipes, which are lined with lead, also remains underway, according to the city’s construction update. As of Thursday, more than 80 leadlined services have been replaced at no cost to the homeowner.

Residents who are not sure what material their water lines are lined with can contact the city’s water department at 815-895-4516 for information.

The city of Sycamore also applied for a second round of funding through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency which, if approved, will aid additional lead line replacement, documents show.

Work on the city’s water tower also continues, with repairs to its existing metal underway, and painting set to begin. The tower will be painted with the same color scheme as the north water tower, according to city officials. Interior work on the water tower will begin the week of July 18.

Pavement repairs

Additional infrastructure improvements are underway across Sycamore residential neighborhoods. Concrete work on curbs, ramps and sidewalks in the Landahl and Townsend Woods subdivisions is expected to be completed within two weeks, according to the city’s social media post.

Work on pavements in several Sycamore neighborhoods also is planned.

Midwest CAM Solutions, a manufacturer of products which prolong the life of pavement, also is undergoing an application through the city for a pavement rejuvenator, according to the city’s construction update. The product is a sealant used to preserve the life of existing pavement.

Pavement work is planned for Edward Street, Foxbend Drive, Hathaway Drive, Foxpointe Drive, Fairway Lane, Cambridge Lane, Cloverlane Drive, Parker Street, Croatian Court, Roosevelt Court, Orchard Lane, North Cross Street, Crosby Avenue, Pebblewood Court and Plaza Drive.

Residents should expect that pavement restoration work will require temporary lane closures during the day, documents show. Signs will be posted accordingly.

Residents with questions are encouraged to reach out to the city’s public works engineering division at 815-895-4557.

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¹See the Rewards Terms and Conditions in the Summary of Credit Terms provided at the time of application for details, including earning, redemption, expiration or forfeiture. Your % back rewards are earned as points. Earn 2 points per $1 spent. For every 2,500 points earned, you can redeem for $25 cash back. Cards are issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO®), pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and used under license. Kelsey Rettke – krettke@shawmedia.com Water main construction continues along Illinois Route 64 near downtown Sycamore at the corner of East State and Sabin streets Thursday.

Shane Taylor – staylor@shawmedia.com The Sycamore City Council unanimously approved a new Citizen’s Beautification Committee during the council meeting at the City Center on Tuesday. Members for the new advisory body will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting.

SYCAMORE

City greenlights Citizen’s Beautification Committee, to start in August 2022

By SHANE TAYLOR

staylor@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – A resident-led city group meant to help improve Sycamore’s aesthetic was greenlit this week, with plans to start up a Citizen’s Beautification Committee in early August.

The Citizen’s Beautification Committee will serve as an advisory body to the mayor, Sycamore City Council, city manager and other city officials in developing plans for projects involving city beautification. While the group won’t have any policy-making power, the seven-member body is expected to make recommendations to the City Council to consider.

The committee’s inception was approved unanimously by the Sycamore City Council Tuesday, with an effective start day of Aug. 1. The seven members will be appointed by the mayor this summer.

Sycamore City Manager Michael Hall said city staff will begin the identify the process to appoint members at the next scheduled meeting.

Although no members have been chosen, Ward 1 Alderman Josh Huseman said he would be interested.

“I think to be proactive, this is super,” Huseman said.

City officials said they hope to give Sycamore residents a voice by joining the committee.

“Tell us what you’d like to see and how do we make that happen,” said Ward 4 Alderman David Stouffer.

According to city documents, committee members will serve a term of three years and up to nine years total. Meetings will be held on a regular basis on a schedule that will be determined by the members.

“This group would get together to suggest these things and then bring it forth to the city council for approval,” Hall said.

The committee would also facilitate the city’s existing facade improvement program, which allocates public dollars to area businesses, developments and buildings through council approval.

The committee also is expected to work with city personnel to create beautification project proposals that enhance the city’s appearance, documents show, and, if needed, solicit volunteers for project implementation. To learn more, scan the code below with your phone, or visit shawlocal.newspapers.com