The City of DeKalb has cleared the way for a ComEd substation that will help power the Facebook data center and surrounding area.

At its meeting on Jan. 26, the DeKalb City Council unanimously approved three requests by Facebook that will allow for the substation to be built on the southeast corner of the 505-acre data center property.

“Collaborating in the making of a facility that will serve the data center and also serve the area more adequately is to our advantage,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas. “It’s an integral part of what will make the energy supply more reliable.”

Along with the Council, the requests were earlier approved unanimously by the Planning and Zoning Commission after some concerns from residents were addressed.

“Initially, there had been some concerns by a few of the residential neighbors because they were thinking that what was being proposed was going to be fronted on Route 23. That wasn’t the case,” said Nicklas.

Data center construction (shown below) is underway, and the project will employ 1,200 construction workers at its peak. Phase one of the data center is also expected to create 100 operational jobs.

Here’s a story that will make your day – if those puppy eyes don’t.

On January 11, an officer responded to Tails Humane Society for a report of a male offender who stole a two-month-old puppy named Queen Anne.

The following week, a DeKalb Police officer, responding to an unrelated call, noticed a puppy matching the description of the one stolen at Tails. Using the puppy’s microchip, officers positively identified her as Queen Anne! She has now been returned to Tails.

“We cannot thank the DeKalb Police Department enough for their vigilance and partnership,” Tails officials wrote on their Facebook page. “The officers on duty last night deserve all of the credit for her being returned.”

27 Candidates Apply for Police Chief

A community search committee has more than two dozen applications to review as it works toward a recommendation on DeKalb’s next Chief of Police.

City Manager Bill Nicklas says the application process produced a diverse pool of candidates. 27 people from across the country, including two internal candidates, applied by the time the application period closed on Tuesday.

“There’s a range of experience in the candidate pool. Some people have served as chief, and some have an extensive record of responsible leadership at the command level that makes them eligible,” said Nicklas. “Some candidates need more time in the profession, but that’s their ambition and it’s good to see.”

The applications will now go to a search committee made up of eight community members. The members are:

• Earnell Brown, Founder and Executive Director of the Sir Donald Foundation, Black Lives Matter organizer

• John Walker, youth mentor and long-time resident, DeKalb Human Relations Commission member

• Glenn Roby, Phi Sigma Kappa NIU Chapter Advisor, Annie Glidden North Board member

• Monique Bernoundy, NIU Assistant Vice President of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Lisa King, Interim Co-director of the NIU CHANCE program, DeKalb Township Trustee, DeKalb Human Relations Commission member

• Will Heinisch, DeKalb Area Rental Association President

• Mike Pittsley, owner, Pittsley Realty; Annie Glidden North Board member

• Don Thomas, retired Sycamore Police Chief

The committee will narrow down the field to the candidates who will be interviewed.

“I’m very pleased with the dedicated and very thoughtful committee that we have,” said Nicklas. “Everyone is eager to find the right fit that includes forward-thinking and engaged leadership.”

Two additional committees will assist with the interviews. The first committee will be made up of city employees, including members of the FOP, IAFF and ASFCME and management. Local law enforcement leaders will make up the second committee. There will also be multiple meetings when the finalists will get to meet the members of the DeKalb Police Department.

The community search committee will make a final recommendation to the City Council.

“The city manager, by code, makes the decision but I will be deferring to the Council,” said Nicklas.

Nicklas expects a recommendation will be made in early March.

Indoor dining is allowed again after the Illinois Department of Public Health loosened the COVID-19 mitigations in place for Region 1 – which includes the City of DeKalb.

Restaurants & Bars

Retail & Service Counter

Personal Care

Indoor/Outdoor Recreation

Museums

Meetings & Social Events

This is a reminder that as of Jan. 1st, 2021, the City of DeKalb no longer mails a courtesy copy of the utility bill to the Tenant/Occupant. The bill is only sent to the property owner at their place of residence, per the Municipal code, Ch. 7. The City strongly recommends property owners and tenants discuss what arrangements may need to be made to address this change. Please contact Utility Billing at 815-748-2085 with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Have you recently received a call from the social security office asking to verify personal information?

Be careful, you may be a victim to a telephone scammer. Don’t be fooled! 

Scammers will often pretend they are from Social Security. The number you see on caller ID may even look like an official government number, but it is not. 

The caller may say there is a problem with your Social Security number or account. They may ask you to give them personal information like your Social Security Number or bank account. They may tell you to fix the problem or to avoid arrest you must pay a fine or fee using retail gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, wire transfers, or cash. These calls are not from the Social Security Administration. 

Social Security will:

• Sometimes call you to confirm you filed for a claim or to discuss other ongoing business you have with them.

• Mail you a letter if there is a problem. 

• Mail you a letter if you need to submit payments that will have detailed information about options to make payments and the ability to appeal the decision. 

• Use emails, text messages, and social media to provide general information (not personal or financial information) on its programs and services if you have signed up to receive these messages. 

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security and have given out sensitive information, please:

• Hang up right away.

• Never give your personal information, money, or retail gift cards.

• Notify the DeKalb Police Department to determine if a police report is needed.

• Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov/ to Social Security’s law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

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.

The DeKalb Police Department is reminding football fans that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of impaired driving.

If your Super Bowl plans involve alcohol or cannabis, make the right play and pass your keys to a sober driver.

“Everyone wants to have a good time on Super Bowl Sunday, but driving after even one drink or hit can impair judgment,” said Commander Jason Leverton. “If you’ll be watching the game away from home this year, we urge you to answer a simple question: ‘Are you drinking or are you driving?’ Never do both.”

Before kickoff, make a game plan for a safe and happy evening:

• Drunk or high, it doesn’t matter. Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.

• Have a friend who is about to drive impaired? Take their keys and help get them home safely.

• Buckle up. It’s your best defense in the event of a crash.

The Super Bowl enforcement campaign, which runs from February 5 to February 8, is part of the Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs funded with federal highway safety dollars administered by IDOT.

In the recent Christmas/New Year’s enforcement campaign, the DeKalb Police Department issued 13 speeding citations, arrested one driver for driving with a suspended license, and arrested one drunk driver.

City offices will be closed on the following days in February:

Normal office hours will resume on the following business day. If you need more immediate assistance, please call the Police Department's non-emergency number at 815-748-8400.

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.

The DeKalb Public Library is offering virtual programs and events for children and adults of all ages. For more information check out their website for details.

Are you wanting to get festive this February for Valentine's Day? The DeKalb Public Library is organizing a DIY Valentine's Day wreath making workshop! Participants must be 12 years old (10 and 11 year old's welcome with an accompanying adult). In order to complete the Valentine's wreath you must have your own glue gun, glue sticks, and scissors. All other materials will be provided through the library. You must register for this event.

You can register for this event here.

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.

The Egyptian Theatre invites you to join them for the events they will be organizing in January! For more information and tickets, please visit the Egyptian Theatre website.

City Hall          

Monday - Friday  

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport    

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