A new alderman has been welcomed to the DeKalb City Council, while three incumbents have started new terms.

Family and friends cheered after John Walker (shown in photo) took the oath of office on May 8 to become DeKalb’s new Seventh Ward Alderman, taking the place of Tony Faivre, who did not seek re-election. Mayor Cohen Barnes welcomed Walker to the Council.

“I know you’re going to bring a ton of passion and energy to that role,” said Barnes. “Ward Seven had a great alderman, and I know they are going to have a great alderman going forward.”

As he was being sworn in, Walker said he thought about the path he has taken to become an alderman since moving to DeKalb when he was 18.

“Growing up, I would have never thought in a million years I would be here,” said Walker. “I moved here as an 18-year-old punk kid that thought I can do whatever and say whatever to anybody I want.”

Since then, Walker has raised four children in DeKalb, serves as a mentor and has been appointed to City commissions, including serving as a member of the City’s Police Chief Search Committee. He said living in DeKalb has allowed him to meet people of all backgrounds and has taught him how to love a community.

“I want everybody to know I’m about DeKalb and what makes DeKalb better,” said Walker.

First Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada, Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith and Fifth Ward Alderman Scott McAdams were sworn into new terms. Mayor Barnes is excited to see the Council members return.

“I think we’ve done a lot of incredible work over the last couple of years that I’ve known you and been able to work with you,” said Barnes. “I’m really excited to have you all back and see what we are going to be able to accomplish.”

Each of the incumbents is beginning their second term.

First Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada, Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith and Fifth Ward Alderman Scott McAdams were sworn into new terms at the May 8 City Council meeting.

In This Issue

A large crowd gathered for the Memorial Day parade and program in DeKalb honoring our country’s fallen military service members. The parade down East Locust Street and Linden Place was followed by the program on the Ellwood House lawn and then free tours of the mansion.

More photos of the parade and program can be seen on the City's Facebook page.

Community meetings on the DeKalb Metra Extension Feasibility Study saw strong turnout.

Around 60 people attended an open house at the DeKalb Public Library on May 23. Community members were able to view the study’s findings on extending Metra service from Elburn to DeKalb, and City staff and members of Sam Schwartz Consulting, which produced the study, took questions and heard feedback. Another 40 people joined a virtual community meeting on May 25, which can be viewed below.

The City and Northern Illinois University partnered to create the study, which analyzed potential ridership and service levels, operating and capital expenses and possible funding sources. A working team representing the City, NIU and the consulting firm met every two weeks to collect and review data. 

Meetings have been held with representatives from Metra and Union Pacific, and community input has been gathered through surveys, informational booths and the community meetings held last month.

More information on the feasibility study and the video of the virtual community meeting can be found here.

A virtual community meeting on the Metra Extension Feasibility Study was held on May 25. The video can also be viewed here.

The DeKalb City Council is minimizing costs for residents and downtown businesses by keeping LRS as the City’s service provider for refuse, recycling and yard waste collection. 

The Council May 22 unanimously approved a new contract with LRS, which along with Waste Management responded to the City’s Request for Proposals.

While both companies proposed increases from the current rate, LRS’ monthly household rate of $21.50 for the first year of the contract was 22 percent lower than Waste Management’s proposal. Additionally, the monthly rates in the second through fifth year of the contract were 25 to 27 percent lower than those from Waste Management. For the Council, the decision came down to costs.

“The 25 percent difference, it’s real money,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Greg Perkins. “And I want to act in the best interests of our constituents.”

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith (shown in photo) said he could not support the higher-price contract as residents, including seniors, are experiencing increased costs because of inflation.

The LRS rate for dumpster collection in the Central Business District was also lower. The service is paid for by downtown businesses and apartments. For the first year of the contract, Waste Management’s monthly rate for service in the Central Business was 48 percent higher than LRS.

Along with refuse, recycling and yard waste collection, LRS will continue its on-demand household hazardous waste and electronics recycling services.

Alderman Walker Plans Seventh Ward Meeting

The public is invited to a Seventh Ward meeting with Alderman John Walker to discuss concerns, issues and opportunities within DeKalb. 

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the DeKalb Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Highway, in the Community Room on the second floor. The meeting will be held in person only. Those attending are welcome to record and/or live stream the meeting.

Alderman Walker will provide opening remarks and time will be allotted for citizen comment. 

Others in attendance will include City Manager Bill Nicklas and Police Chief David Byrd. 

Please forward any other topics for discussion to john.walker@cityofdekalb.com. Those will be presented at the meeting and the feedback shared when possible.

The DeKalb City Council is considering measures to help police address recent juvenile crimes while keeping the minors out of criminal court.

The ordinance given first reading by the City Council on May 22 includes creating additional ordinance violations. These city tickets cannot result in a jail sentence and are handled through the City’s Administrative Hearing process. Here, the Administrative Hearing Officer can assign community service as an alternative to fines.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said this gives officers an alternative to charging juveniles under state statute. 

“If we were to prosecute under the state statute, that means we go to circuit court,” said Nicklas. “It elevates the cost for all concerned, the distress, the parental unease much more than an ordinance violation.”

The new ordinance violations would be for the “flash mob” type conduct that has occurred recently and failing to identify oneself to a police officer when probable cause exists. 

Another ordinance violation modeled after the State’s Parental Responsibility Law would hold parents responsible for damages caused by a minor’s willful or malicious acts. Police Chief David Byrd (shown in photo) said the violation would not be used frequently but rather in egregious incidents such as when parents are contributing to criminal activity between juveniles, including past incidents where parents have escalated a fight at the scene.

Byrd said the proposed violation would help address the issues but are not meant to be a replacement for proactive measures such as social services.

“Parenting classes are extremely important. You have to have them because we have to fix the problem and it’s deep rooted,” said Byrd. “It’s going to take some time, but we have to have an enforcement component in place.”

Those cited would have a hearing before the Administrative Hearing Officer who, again, can assign community service instead of fines and could dismiss the ticket if the parent shows action is being taken to correct the issue.

The ordinance will return for second reading at the Council’s meeting on June 12.

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Mayor Cohen Barnes helped DeKalb County Community Gardens distribute snack packs at the NIU STEAM Barb City STEAM Team party on May 10.

It was one of two community events held last month in Welsh Park along with Opportunity DeKalb’s Welsh Park Community Kick Off.

More photos from these and other recent community events can be seen on the City's Facebook page.

DeKalb Fire Offers Summer Safety Tips

The summer season brings a flourish of activities. Seasonal events like backyard cookouts, family camping trips, and 4th of July fireworks are all typical traditions. Home fires are most common during the fall and winter months but there is still the risk of fire damage as people spend more time outdoors.

Learn how to stay safe this summer with these recommendations. 

Grills 

• Keep grills away from the home and overhangs.

• Be sure to clean the grill regularly. A build-up of grease and food debris can cause flare-ups.

• Only light a gas grill with the cover open.

• When cooking with charcoal, make sure to dispose of the coals in a metal container once they have fully cooled.

Fireworks

• First and foremost, follow all local laws and ordinances.

• Many people assume that sparklers are a safe alternative to fireworks. But the temperature of sparklers can reach up to 1200º! If you choose to use sparklers, always supervise children when using them and teach them not to wave them around.

• Have a bucket of water ready to extinguish sparklers or if something should go wrong.

Campfires

• Keep campfires small and controllable.

• Never leave your fire unattended.

• Have a hose or shovel for dirt ready if the fire gets out of hand.

• Before leaving the campsite, fully extinguish the fire with water and dirt, stirring until all the embers are cool. The best method is to extinguish, stir, and then extinguish again. 

Torches and Candles

• Extinguish flames before going in for the night.

• Make sure the torch is secured in the ground to avoid tipping over.

• Place candles on a stable surface and away from flammable materials.

• Store tiki torch fuel away from the flame.

• Make sure they are fully cool before storing them. 

Travel

• Book only in hotels or rental properties that are equipped with smoke detectors and sprinkler systems.

• Test to make sure the smoke detectors are working properly. 

• Review the building's fire escape plan when you check in.

• Check that the windows are functioning and you have two clear ways out in the event of a fire.

• Know the address of where you are staying in case you need to call for help. 

Summer activities can create a lifetime of memories. Don't let a devastating fire be one of them.

Receive important notifications from the City by signing up for ALERT DeKalb. Text, email, and phone messages are used to alert the public to emergency situations, severe weather, and traffic disruptions.

Users can also text ALERTDEKALB to 67283 to report criminal or suspicious activity and quality of life concerns.

As part of National Police Week, the DeKalb Police Department held an award ceremony on May 19 to commend team members who demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism, and commendable actions in 2022.

Here, Police Chief David Byrd recognizes Sgt. Parsons and Detectives Kleinmaier, Paul and Abonce for their role in a major case.

Facebook Photos

View more award winners on the DeKalb Police Department Facebook page.

Thank you to the DeKalb businesses and faith and service organizations who adopted a downtown planter and planted flowers throughout downtown DeKalb on May 20.

View the photos on the City's Facebook page to see the businesses and groups who volunteered. Thank you also to Cub Scout Family Pack 173 who planted later in the day.

A special thank you to Kat Willrett and Mary Grace McCauley from Willrett Flower Co., Jana Nowak from Blu Door Decor and Melissa Beck from the City’s Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission for arranging this year’s Community Planting Day and the DeKalb Public Works Department for preparing the planters. Thank you also to the DeKalb High School Horticulture students who planted three pollinator pots near the DeKalb Public Library and the University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County Master Gardeners who planted 56 cement planters in business district including two herb gardens.

The DeKalb Farmers’ Market is opening for its 2023 season on Thursday, June 1st.

As in the past, the 2023 DeKalb Farmers’ Market will be held in Van Buer Plaza, at North 2nd and Locust Street, and will be open every Thursday starting June 1st through September 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The DeKalb Farmers’ Market features over 30 vendors and provides the community with fresh locally grown produce, bread, baked goods, coffee, pet treats, flowers, handmade craft items and much more. Grab a bite to eat from a food truck and stay for the Live Lunch Music Series from noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring local musicians.

The market accepts cash, credit/debit, and Link. Link can only be used at eligible vendors. Link Match is available. Visit the information booth to learn more about the Link Match program that doubles your value of Link, giving you $50 worth of fresh produce for only $25.

The DeKalb Farmers’ Market is coordinated by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, presented by Northwestern Medicine and supported by Country Financial Downtown DeKalb. For more information and a list of vendors, visit dekalb.org or follow the DeKalb Farmers’ Market on social media @dekalbfarmersmarket.

A large crowd came out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in downtown DeKalb.

The celebration was the first in a new series of downtown events called First Fridays and organized by the Downtown Merchants.

The series continues on June 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. with an event themed "Hello Summer." More information can be found here.

EAA Chapter 241 holds its Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 4 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

The event is held in the Community Hangar at DeKalb Airport, 3232 Pleasant St.

Proceeds are used for EAA Chapter 241 activities including scholarships for young aviators, Young Eagle events and aviation education.

DeKalb municipal offices will be closed the following day:

• Monday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday

June Community Events

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Farmers' Market

Fresh locally grown produce, bread, baked goods, coffee, pet treats, flowers, handmade craft items and more from over 30 vendors.

Every Thurs., June 1-Sept. 21, 10 to 2

Van Buer Plaza

Find out more here.

Stage Coach Players

126 S. 5th Street

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

A funny and powerful collection of stories of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and lovers. 

June 1-11

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

Downtown DeKalb

First Fridays: Hello Summer

Stroll while enjoying your favorite drink as businesses have extended hours, specials or activities.

Friday, June 2, 5-8 p.m.

Lincoln Highway from First to Fourth Street

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.

Follow the City on social media.

DeKalb Airport

3232 Pleasant St.

EAA Chapter 241 Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast

Proceeds are used for EAA Chapter 241 activities including scholarships for young aviators, Young Eagle events and aviation education.

Sunday, June 4, 8-11:30 a.m.

DeKalb Public Library

309 Oak Street

After-hours Concert: Jazz in Progress

Jazz in Progress will perform different styles of big band and modern jazz music in the library’s main lobby.

Saturday, June 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about the concert here, and view all of the library's programs on its calendar.

DeKalb Pride Fest & March

Van Buer Plaza, N. 2nd St. & Egyptian Theatre

A resource fair will feature a variety of local organizations and nonprofits that support LGBTQ individuals and allies as well as food vendors and other community partners. The event will culminate in a downtown march, where participants can show their pride

Thursday, June 22, 4:30 p.m.

Learn more about the event here.

Cohen Barnes, Mayor

Carolyn Zasada, Alderwoman - 1st Ward

Barb Larson, Alderwoman - 2nd Ward

Tracy Smith, Alderman - 3rd Ward

Greg Perkins, Alderman - 4th Ward

Scott McAdams, Alderman - 5th Ward

Mike Verbic, Alderman - 6th Ward

John Walker, Alderman - 7th Ward

Ruth Scott, Recording Secretary

Bill Nicklas, City Manager

City Hall          

164 E. Lincoln Highway

Monday - Friday  

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Police Station

700 West Lincoln Highway

Monday - Friday   

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Public Works

1216 Market Street

Monday - Friday

7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport    

3232 Pleasant Street  

Monday - Friday     

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

City Clerk 815-748-2090 



City Manager's Office 815-748-2090

Community Development Department 815-748-2070

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport 815-748-8102

Finance Department 815-748-2000

Fire/Police Emergency 911

Fire Non-Emergency 815-748-8460

Mayor's Office 815-758-1886

Police Non-Emergency 815-748-8400

Public Works Department 815-748-2040