912 Edgebrook Dr. Demolition Nears Completion |
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Revitalization of DeKalb’s Annie Glidden North neighborhood is taking another step forward with demolition of the remaining building shell at 912 Edgebrook Drive.
Demo work on the two-story building, which housed more than 40 apartment units, began on the east end on Feb. 8. Only a small portion of the west end remained on Feb. 26.
The City of DeKalb directed $250,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding to demolish the long-vacant building.
It’s the second major demolition project in the AGN neighborhood in just four months. The Campus Cinemas building on Blackhawk Drive was razed in late October.
In the Spring, the site of the apartment building will be returned to green space. There have been preliminary talks about making the property a park.
Along with clearing away blighted buildings, DeKalb is utilizing federal funds to improve broadband internet access and add streetlighting in the AGN. Sidewalks will also be installed along Twombly Road ahead of a joint project between the City, DeKalb County and DeKalb Township to repave the roadway.
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Demolition crews had removed nearly all the interior and the windows of the building before demolition of the shell began on Feb. 8 |
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Only the west wall and a small portion of the front of the building remained standing on Feb. 26. |
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912 Edgebrook Dr. Demolition Nears Completion
Public Works Stays Busy
Former Mayor, Longtime Alderwoman Dies
HR Opening
New Stores Coming
Woman Saved From Fire
Become a Storm Spotter
Top Recognition Received for Financial Report
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DeKalb Public Works is keeping busy in between plowing for this winter's frequent snowstorms.
Along with plowing, salting and hauling snow to clear roadways, Street crews clean snow out of the Central Business District dumpster enclosures to make sure they can be emptied. Crews also go to vacant properties owned by the city to clear those sidewalks.
The plows also occasionally need repairs. Public Works employees completed 17 repairs on the snowplow fleet in one week, including structural welding, a radiator replacement and a valve body changeout.
Salt deliveries are also received regularly to get ready for the next storm.
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Former Mayor, Longtime Alderwoman Dies |
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The City of DeKalb is mourning a former mayor and longtime alderwoman whose public service was matched only by her love for the city.
Bessie Chronopoulos passed away Feb. 21 at her home on DeKalb’s south side. She was 72.
Chronopoulos served as Fifth Ward alderwoman from 1975 until she was elected mayor in 1997, becoming the third woman to hold the office. She served as mayor until 2001.
Even after her term as mayor, Chronopoulos remained politically active in city government, speaking passionately before the City Council on important issues.
Mayor Jerry Smith says Chronopoulos always had the city’s best interests at heart.
“Bessie Chronopoulos' passing will leave a large void in many circles in the City of DeKalb. She has been a champion for helping to make this community the very best it can be. Bessie not only advocated for the city as a whole, but was passionate about activities in her Fifth Ward, which she represented for many years as its alderman,” said Mayor Smith. “For most of us, our City Council meetings will never be the same without Bessie. She was never hesitant to attend, and to voice her sentiments about issues that interested her...and there were many of them, for sure.”
City Manager Bill Nicklas, who also served in the position during Chronopoulos’ time as alderwoman and mayor, says she was a strong advocate for her constituents.
“On behalf of the mayor and council, I want to express our deepest sympathy to family and friends of Bessie Chronopoulos,” said Nicklas. “Bessie was an ardent advocate on behalf of the people she represented. She served faithfully as an alderperson and as mayor in the City of DeKalb and was passionately advocating for concepts that were important to her up until a matter of weeks ago. For decades she advocated for what mattered to her constituents.”
Community service for Chronopoulos did not end at city matters. The NIU alumnus and retired teacher was an election judge and active member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in DeKalb. She worked tirelessly with the church’s Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society to organize the annual Thanksgiving bake sale, Greek Fest and other church activities.
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Visit the City's Employment Page to view and apply for open positions. For more info, contact Human Resources at 815-748-2398.
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The City of DeKalb is currently accepting applications for the Part-Time HR Office Associate position.
The Office Associate is a part-time position working 15-20 hours per week. The position will prepare correspondence and reports, maintain departmental records and files, assist in hiring activities, work on various departmental systems, and interact with employees, vendors and the public. The application deadline is March 12.
View the full job description and application instructions here.
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A new tool store and a new eyecare center are coming to Sycamore Road, while another new store is close to opening.
Harbor Freight Tools plans to open a store in the Target Shopping Center on Sycamore Road. It will fill the space formerly occupied by Aldi before the grocery store relocated to the Northland Plaza Shopping Center.
The discount tool and equipment retailer has 1,000 locations in 48 states, and for its DeKalb location, will demolish the interior of the store space, build new offices and restrooms and upgrade the loading dock and dumpster enclosure.
Just south on Sycamore Road, Shopko Optical plans to open up next to the Armed Forces Career Center. The eyecare center is expected to open in June.
Old Navy plans to open its new store in DeKalb this spring.
Work has resumed on the apparel and accessories store in Oakland Place at 2939 Sycamore Rd. The store will be located in the former Barnes & Noble space. After exterior and electrical work was done last summer, construction is now underway on the interior.
“We’re thrilled to bring Old Navy’s fashion for the whole family at a great value and fun shopping experience to customers at our new location in DeKalb and are looking forward to welcoming them soon,” a spokesperson for Gap Inc. said.
Along with a new shopping choice, the store brings employment opportunities. It is expected the new store will create more than 40 jobs.
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The new Old Navy store moving into the former Barnes & Noble space is expected to open this spring. |
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On Jan. 29, President Joe Biden issued Executive Order 13998, Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel.
To align with the Executive Order, the Centers for Disease Control issued an Order effective on Feb. 2, 2021, requiring that all passengers on public conveyances, including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share services, must wear a mask when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel while utilizing said transportation services.
The City of DeKalb Public Transit requires that all passengers comply with the Executive Order for the safety and well-being of all public transit users and employees. Executive Order 13998 has been posted inside all transit vehicles.
For more information about the importance of wearing a mask while utilizing City of DeKalb Public Transit, please visit the City of DeKalb Public Transit website. |
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DeKalb Firefighter/Paramedics & NIU Police Officer Save Woman's Life |
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The City of DeKalb recognized two of its firefighter/paramedics and an NIU Police officer for saving a woman’s life in an apartment fire on Feb. 12.
DeKalb dispatchers received multiple calls reporting a fire in a unit at High Meadows apartments on West Lincoln Highway at about 4:30 a.m. Dispatchers were told that the residents might be trapped inside.
With heavy smoke coming from the apartment, DeKalb and NIU Police officers found a male resident laying outside with severe burns and learned that the female resident might still be in the apartment.
NIU Police officer Matt Lave and Firefighter/Paramedics Jared Thorpe and Adam Miller went into the apartment and could vaguely see the woman lying unconscious in the back bedroom.
Lave, Thorpe and Miller then carried the woman from the bedroom to the outside, where she received emergency treatment from DeKalb firefighter/paramedics.
“Matt, Jared and Adam bravely put their lives on the line without hesitation, and are deserving of our heartfelt gratitude and recognition,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said at the City Council meeting on Feb. 22.
Along with Lave, Thorpe and Miller, the telecommunicators who took the fire calls and all of the firefighter/paramedics and police officers who responded to the call were recognized with a standing ovation.
The two victims are being treated at a burn trauma center.
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DeKalb firefighter/paramedics and DeKalb and NIU Police officers received a standing ovation at the City Council meeting on Feb. 22 to recognize their rescue efforts during a fire at High Meadows apartments earlier in the month. |
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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.
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In recent years, the DeKalb Police Department has hosted a certified National Weather Service weather spotter course, typically held in February or March.
This year due to COVID restrictions, the National Weather Service is holding virtual courses. These classes are free and open to the public.
The City of DeKalb has been designated as a Storm Ready community by the National Weather Service, and promotes these courses as part of our community outreach efforts.
The City of DeKalb is also a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador for its efforts in public education and preparedness for severe weather events.
There are still two remaining dates to choose from:
Monday, March 1
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10
6:30 p.m.
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DeKalb Receives Top Recognition for Annual Financial Report |
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The country’s leading professional association for government finance officials has awarded the City of DeKalb its highest recognition for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced on Wednesday that the City of DeKalb’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2019 has earned the association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management, according to the GFOA.
This is the 26th time DeKalb has earned the recognition.
“We are pleased with the GFOA’s recognition of our prudent fiscal management and open and thorough reporting,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas.
A CAFR is prepared by each government entity. It is comprised of the organization’s financial statements prepared under the requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
DeKalb earned the Certificate of Achievement after its CAFR was reviewed by an impartial panel to ensure it meets the high standards for the GFOA program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story, according to the association.
Along with the Certificate of Achievement, an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement will be presented to the City’s management team.
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Please note that due to ongoing COVID-19 health concerns, meetings are subject to cancellation. Check the City of DeKalb's Agenda Center for the most up to date information. |
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Planning and Zoning Commission
March 1, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
Citizens' Environmental Commission
March 4, 4 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room at DeKalb City Hall
Economic Development Commission
March 5, 8:30 a.m. at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
City Council
March 8, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
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Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission
March 15, 4 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 15, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
City Council
March 22, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
Airport Advisory Board
March 23, 7 p.m. in the West Community Hanger at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
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To view agendas for City meetings, please go to the City's Agenda Center here.
To check for meeting cancellations and location updates, please check the City Website here.
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Downtown Merchants
Vintage Shop Hop
More than 400 vintage shops and boutiques in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are participating, including many in downtown DeKalb!
March 5 & 6
Learn more about what's happening with the Downtown Merchants on their Facebook page.
DeKalb Public Library Events
309 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL
Virtual Event: The Space Race—Getting to the Moon, a Tale of the Cold War, Bringing Nazis to America and Cutting Corners
Saturday, March 13, 2 p.m.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong put his foot on the moon. It was the culmination of what President John F. Kennedy wanted in 1961. But speaker Evan Weiner will explain the space program’s roots went back to World War II.
Register for the event here, and see all of the library's programs on its calendar.
Send an e-mail to submit your event to possibly be included in our calendar!
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Northern Illinois University Events
DeKalb Campus
Northern Illinois University offers a variety of music, arts, and entertainment events that are open to the public. Check out NIU's Events Calendar for a full list of events.
Egyptian Theatre Events
135 North Second Street, DeKalb, IL
BOO’ze & Spirits Tours
What has led to the Egyptian Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town and in the top ten haunted theatres in Illinois? Join the Theatre staff as they share all the secrets and stories with a ‘balcony to backstage’ tour that focuses not only on the history of the 90-year-old building but also all of the Theatre’s ghostly guests.
March 5, 12 and 27, 8 p.m.
DeKalb Area Toastmasters
Communication and leadership skills must be practiced. Toastmasters gives you the opportunity.
Second & Fourth Monday of each month.
The meetings are happening on Zoom. |
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Please note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 health concerns, these events are subject to cancellation. |
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City Hall
164 E. Lincoln Highway
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 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
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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City Clerk 815-748-2095
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 815-748-2099
Police Non-Emergency 815-748-8400
Public Works Department 815-748-2040
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