A rendering shows three additional buildings at Meta's DeKalb Data Center.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is more than doubling the size of its DeKalb Data Center in the Chicago West Business Center.

The data center on Gurler Road is expanding from two to five buildings, growing Meta’s investment in DeKalb to more than $1 billion. Construction jobs at the site will continue for years, and more than 200 operational jobs are planned. Mayor Cohen Barnes is excited to see Meta’s partnership with the City expand.

“The impact Meta has made within the City of DeKalb goes beyond just an economic one,” said Barnes. “Since day one, they have made a concerted effort to make a larger impact on DeKalb, and I look forward, with this announcement, to seeing that partnership continue to grow over the years to come.”

The data center was made possible with the creation of the Chicago West Business Park, envisioned by Krusinski Construction Company and its principal partner Jerry Krusinski. With an expertise in complex building projects and a national reach in a wide range of industries, Krusinski Construction attracted Ferrara Candy Company to Chicago West in 2019 before securing an additional 505 acres of property to bring Meta to DeKalb. 

“Jerry Krusinski is a remarkable and visionary leader in industrial development in the Midwest region and beyond. He has the insight to know what uses can be impactful and successful in a given location, and the patience to wait for a company that is a good fit for the community,” said DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas.

Chicago West is also home to an Amazon Sortation Facility, now under construction, and opportunities remain in the business center for further economic development.

While expanding in DeKalb, Meta plans to continue its investment in the vitality of the community. One way this is done is Meta’s Community Action Grants available to schools and registered 501(c)3 non-profit organizations in locations where Meta has an online data center. The application window for the Community Action Grants program in DeKalb County will open this fall.

A map shows the master plan for the Chicago West Business Park.

Congratulations to the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design photography students who created a 44 foot 6 inch paper snowflake on March 29 as they attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records! The next step is to send certification materials to Guinness to make the record official.

Mayor Cohen Barnes came out to the project site at the Convocation Center to show support for the NIU photography students and Associate Professor of Art Jessica Labatte, who organized the snowflake project.

The DeKalb City Council has given approval to a major revitalization project.

As the City continues its investment in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood, the Council April 25 approved the contract for the demolition of the Hunter Hillcrest shopping center on West Hillcrest Drive, the removal of its parking lot and restoration of the property.

Once cleared, the shopping center property along with the former Campus Cinemas property will create an L-shaped site for redevelopment opportunities.

The derelict shopping center was purchased by the City last October. Since then, the City has worked collaboratively with the commercial and second-floor residential tenants to provide relocation assistance. The low bid for the shopping center demolition work was $237,883.

Michael Thomas is pledging to work hard for the DeKalb community as its new Fire Chief.

The 27-year veteran of the DeKalb Fire Department was sworn-in as Fire Chief at DeKalb City Council meeting on April 11.

Since becoming a DeKalb firefighter/paramedic in 1995, Thomas has climbed the ranks of the Fire Department. City Manager Bill Nicklas said Thomas has provided critical leadership since being named Acting Chief in November 2021.

“Mike Thomas possesses the fundamental technical and administrative skills to be Fire Chief,” said Nicklas. “Just as important, he possesses a confident and collaborative style of leadership that is very much needed as the Department embraces its higher level of staffing, pending vehicle and equipment upgrades, and facility improvements to accommodate male and female firefighters.”

Thomas thanked his family for their support through the long hours during his career and said he is ready to continue his work.

“I take very seriously the responsibility bestowed upon me,” said Thomas. “I will work very hard to make you proud of the Fire Department, and I will work very hard for the community as well.”

Thomas was pinned as Fire Chief by his wife, Jill.

Lincoln Highway Lane Reconfiguration Approved

Safety will be improved in downtown DeKalb now that the Lincoln Highway lane reconfiguration has been given the green light.

At their April 25 meeting, the DeKalb City Council approved the contracts for the project narrowing Lincoln Highway between First and Fourth Street from four to three lanes, including a middle turning lane.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said the narrowing will cure the problem of trucks speeding through the downtown created when the roadway was widened in the late 1970s.

“Although we have done, in the last 15 years, some streetscaping downtown that has created some on-street parking and some eyebrow areas, it’s still a four-lane truck raceway,” said Nicklas. “The fact that we have some very narrow sidewalks to use also tends to diminish the interest of pedestrians to stroll around our downtown area.”

The project will address the sidewalks as well. The space gained from the narrowing of the roadway will be added to the sidewalks on each side of Lincoln Highway, making the downtown more pedestrian friendly while providing space for sidewalk sales and tables and chairs.

The $1,763,000 in construction costs will come from TIF funding, and $124,925 for construction engineering services will be funded through motor fuel tax revenue.

At the invitation of NIU Interfraternity Council, DeKalb First Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Morris took part in the opening ceremony for the championship match of the annual Tugs competition on April 24.

Alderwoman Morris led some cheers and spoke on the importance of the Greek community to DeKalb.

Congratulation to Sigma Nu at NIU on their first place finish!

View more photos from the Tugs competition here.

Grilling Safety Tips for Summer Barbecues

With grilling season upon us, as well as the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, here are some great grilling safety tips!

• Only use grills outside - It may be tempting to set up your barbecue grill inside of your open garage or under a covered balcony, but propane and gas, charcoal grills are strictly designed for outdoor use where there is plenty of ventilation. Any combustible materials that surround or hang over the grill when it’s in use can catch fire easily and quickly. Make sure that the area over top and around your grill is clear and unobstructed.

• Place your grill away from your home - Barbeque grills are often placed just outside the back door or on the back deck against a railing. You should avoid placing your grill in these areas because it can pose a potential fire hazard. Grills that are placed too close to the house or other wood structures can heat up adjacent materials and cause a fire to start. Be sure to keep your grill at least 10 feet from your home or other structures.

• Make sure your grill is located on a flat, level surface - Grills that are placed on slopes or other uneven surfaces can tip over easily and cause a fire. Make sure that your grill is set up on a stable surface such as a concrete pad so that it remains level while cooking food.

• Check your grill for leaks - If you store your grill inside during the winter months, it’s important to check it over thoroughly when grilling season begins. A leak in the gas lines can cause propane or natural gas to build up inside the BBQ when the lid is closed. Check the gas lines to make sure that they are free of leaks before using your grill, and always open the lid of your barbecue before lighting.

• Always clean your grill after use - Barbecuing regularly causes grease to build-up on the grill plates and collect inside the grease tray. If not cleaned, the build-up can then act as fuel and catch fire while the grill is in use. Clean your charcoal or gas grill after each use with a grill brush and empty the grease tray when it begins to fill up.

• Never leave your barbecue grill unattended while in use - Never leave the grill unattended while you are cooking food. You should never walk away from your barbecue while it’s in use. Barbecues use high heat and open flames to cook food, and when left unattended can become a safety and fire hazard. If you must leave the grill, ask another adult to watch the grill for you.

• Wear appropriate clothing - Articles of clothing that have long sleeves or pieces that dangle can catch fire easily when too close to an open flame. When grilling food, wear clothing that won’t interfere with the cooking process and make sure that any apron strings are tied back away from your front. If a piece of clothing does catch fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll to extinguish the flames quickly.

• Keep a spray bottle on hand - It’s common for grills to flare up as fat drips from meat as it cooks, and this can cause a section of the grill to remain on fire as it burns away. If left alone, the flames will continue to burn and cause excess smoke to billow out from under the lid. Keep a spray bottle filled with water beside your grill so that you can quickly extinguish smaller flames before they spread.

• Always have a fire extinguisher close by - In the event that a fire does break out, follow these tips on and ensure you have an extinguisher within reach. It is simple to use, just point and spray to extinguish the fire. EZ Fire Spray is also quick and easy to clean up after use. It’s small, compact size makes it the perfect addition to your grilling set to help keep your loved ones safe.

Following these charcoal and gas grill safety tips and having the right protection will help you and your family enjoy a safe grilling season all summer long.

The DeKalb Police Department is planning stepped-up enforcement of the speed limit and more officers on bicycles this year while continuing to focus on fighting serious crime.

Police Chief David Byrd delivered the Police Department’s annual report to the City Council on April 25. He reported a traffic enforcement team is being developed.

“I know that speeding is a problem in the City of DeKalb and overall driving appropriately throughout the City,” said Byrd. “I’ve got my complaints. I’m sure City Council has theirs, and I appreciate you sending me all the complaints because that’s our measuring rod and we can use it to target certain areas.”

Community engagement was an emphasis for the Police Department last year. An appreciation event honoring citizens who assisted law enforcement was held and will become an annual recognition. Helping those efforts in 2022 will be a bike enforcement team.

“The bike team can get to places we can’t. They can ride and do parks and they’ll have the opportunity to engage with the community,” said Byrd.

The Chief believes one of the most significant technological improvements at the Police Department has been the license plate readers (LPRs), which are now installed and running in the City.

“It has already been making a huge impact and helping us solve a lot of cases where we did not have eyes on the offender, but the LPRs did,” said Byrd.

The annual report shows 1,432 crimes against persons were reported in 2021 under the federal National Incident Based Reporting System.

Last year, all Illinois police departments moved from the Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting standard to the federal system in an effort to collect more uniform crime data. Under the previous system, 1,599 Part 1 crimes were reported in 2020; however, a year-over-year comparison is difficult because of the change in reporting standards.

Chief Byrd said progress is being made by targeting repeat offenders and successful investigations.

“If you commit a crime in DeKalb, you’re going to be arrested swiftly,” said Byrd. “I think that’s impactful and can serve as a deterrent for us.”

The 2022 DeKalb Police Department Annual Report can be viewed here.

The Memorial Day parade is returning in DeKalb, and community groups are invited to join the procession.

The parade was paused in 2020 and 2021 in accordance with health official guidance for the COVID-19 pandemic. The DeKalb tradition resumes this year and will be held before the Memorial Day program on the Ellwood House lawn.

As preparations are made for the parade’s return, community members are encouraged to join the line-up.

Veterans’ organizations, youth sports teams, service groups, nonprofit organizations, clubs, and members of the faith community are just some of the groups that would make great additions to the parade. Since Memorial Day is a solemn holiday, participants are asked to refrain from displaying or carrying advertising material and political banners.

The parade line-up begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at North Third & Locust Street. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. With lane reconfiguration construction planned for Lincoln Highway, the parade this year will go west down Locust Street before turning north on Linden Place.

The parade is followed by a program on the Ellwood House lawn and then free first-floor tours of the Ellwood Mansion.

Groups interested in joining the parade should fill out the participation form available here. There is no participation fee. The form should be return to City Hall by Friday, May 13.

The Memorial Day activities are a collaboration of the City of DeKalb, DeKalb Park District and Ellwood House Museum.

Questions may be directed to Scott Zak at scott.zak@cityofdekalb.com or 815-748-2396.

A DeKalb business is doubling an incentive for community members who want to help beautify the City by taking part in the Paint-A-Plug program.

The DeKalb Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) is pleased to announce another year of the Paint-A-Plug initiative, where the community is encouraged to adopt a fire hydrant and turn it into a work of art.

There is no specific theme for the fire hydrants, but artists are encouraged to incorporate different elements of the community or their neighborhood into their art. You may have seen some of the previous creations including an ear of corn, an NIU Huskie and a pharaoh across from the Egyptian Theatre.

While no fee is required to participate in the Paint-A-Plug program, approved artists are responsible for providing their own materials for painting, and that’s where OC Creative comes in.

OC Creative has pledged to donate $100 to this year’s Paint-A-Plug artists to help defray some of the cost of materials.

"For the first 25 people who finish a Paint-A-Plug this year, improving their neighborhoods and expanding the art scene of our community, we would be delighted to provide a stipend to each one,” said OC Creative President and Creative Director Brian Oster.

A $50 incentive was offered by the business last year. That supported several projects including a design dedicated to Northwestern Medicine nurses and two by the Basics DeKalb County program.

“Interest in the Paint-A-Plug Program continues to grow,” said CCEC Chair Brad Hoey. “The Citizens Community Enhancement Commission is excited and grateful that OC Creative is increasing its contribution in 2022, which we anticipate will inspire more members of our community to participate in this fun and popular public art project.”

Paint-A-Plug is not limited to only DeKalb residents. The CCEC encourages NIU students and alumni, DeKalb School District students and faculty, employees of DeKalb businesses and area artists to participate.

Applications can be found here. Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission, and once their design is approved, artists will have until November 1, 2022, to paint their hydrant.

Questions on the program can be e-mailed to paintaplug@cityofdekalb.com.

May Community Events

Downtown Merchants

Back Alley Market

Gather your friends, relatives and neighbors and come to downtown DeKalb for this makers and vintage market! Spend the entire day exploring restaurants for breakfast and dinner, over 80 vendors, adorable shops, lunch and snacks at the food trucks and live music.

North Second Street & Palmer Court

Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Find out more about the Downtown Merchants on their Facebook page.

Stage Coach Players

126 South Fifth Street

Four Old Broads

What happens when best friends come together to solve the mystery of what is happening to some of the residents at Magnolia Place Assisted Living? The answer to that question and others can be found during Stage Coach Players’ May production.

May 5-8 & 13-15

Purchase tickets here, and view the theater's full schedule.

Trash Squirrels Clean-Up

Meet behind Lowes for the Greenwood Acres clean-up, the group's fourth clean-up of the spring season. Look for the big blue tent. Trash bags, grabbers, gloves, wagons, snacks and beverages will be provided.

Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

See the group's Facebook page for more collection dates.

Find more events by visiting the Community Events Calendar on the City's website.

Submit your event to be consider for the e-News Community Events Calendar by e-mailing here.

Egyptian Theatre

135 North Second Street

Spies of the World: Grateful Dead Experience

Spies of the World: Grateful Dead Experience is a brand new Grateful Dead tribute band that features some of the best musicians from across the United States.

Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m.

Purchase tickets here. Learn about more events on the Theatre's Events Schedule.

DeKalb Public Library

309 Oak Street

After-hours Folk Music Concert

Audience members are invited to sing along, clap and stomp as Andy and Judy Daigle play the guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and other instruments. They will perform original songs in many different styles, such as traditional Folk, roots music, country swing or bluegrass.

Saturday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m.

More information on the event can be found here, and see all of the library's programs on its calendar.

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Local Showcase & Job Fair

Meet businesses and organizations from the community, enter raffles, take home giveaways, and meet local businesses hiring for full, part-time, and seasonal positions. 

Sports & Recreation Center

1765 S. 4th St.

Friday, May 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Find out more about the event here.

Get DeKalb community news all month long by following the City on social media.