Cohen Barnes Sworn In As New Mayor |
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DeKalb’s new mayor is pledging to continue the momentum that is happening in the City.
After taking the oath of office on May 10, Cohen Barnes (shown in photo to the right) shook hands with outgoing Mayor Jerry Smith.
“I’ve said this to this City Council, over the last couple of years especially, we are on a roll. We have great momentum for us. And with this body, I think we can continue that momentum,” said Smith. “So, Mayor Barnes, do me a favor will you – let’s continue this momentum.”
While saying he has huge shoes to fill, Barnes promised to do so.
“I really look forward to working with this team, this Council, in order to continue the momentum that we have going on to help to make sure that we realize the beauty, the wonder and, what I believe is, the greatness that this community has,” said Barnes. “And I will, during my four years, always and passionately be proudly DeKalb.”
New Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson and new City Clerk Sasha Cohen were also sworn in Monday night.
“I’m excited to be here and be part of this team,” said Larson. “I hope that we can live up to Jerry’s (request and) keep it moving for another four years.”
City Clerk Cohen thanked the residents for entrusting him with his new position.
“I just want to let residents know that I will be always open and receptive if you have comments, questions, concerns or needs,” said Cohen.
Fourth Ward Alderman Greg Perkins and Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic were also sworn into new terms.
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Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson is sworn in by 23rd Circuit Court Judge Ron Matekaitis. |
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Fourth Ward Alderman Greg Perkins is sworn into a new term. |
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Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic is sworn in for a second term. |
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Sasha Cohen is sworn in as DeKalb's new City Clerk. |
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Cohen Barnes Sworn In As Mayor
Another Vacant Building Comes Down
David Byrd Takes Oath As New Police Chief
DeKalb Exercises Option to Purchase Hunter Hillcrest
Sump Pump Assistance Offered
Fire Dept. Calls Drop Only Slightly During Pandemic
Bus Service Expanded to Large
Employers
Charity Golf Outing Planned
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Another Vacant Building Comes Down |
Demolition work is complete on another large, long-vacant building.
The now-former site of the Travel Inn on West Lincoln Highway has been cleaned up and fencing has been removed.
The hotel is the third vacant building on the west side of DeKalb to be razed in just seven months. The Campus Cinemas building and an apartment building at 912 Edgebrook Dr. were demolished as part of the Annie Glidden North revitalization.
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David Byrd Takes Oath As New Police Chief |
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David Byrd has joined his new police family in DeKalb.
Byrd was sworn in May 3 as DeKalb’s new police chief by DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Ron Matekaitis, and Byrd’s mother pinned his badge to his new DeKalb Police uniform.
Well-wishers included colleagues from Byrd’s last job at the Illinois State Police, where he was deputy director of patrol, family members, and longtime friends. One of Byrd’s friends from high school is Emmerson Buie Jr., who is now the FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago Field Office.
“I’ve watched him grow as an individual, as a man, I’ve watched his career in law enforcement, and every time I heard something about him, I was proud, and I’m even proud to see him today,” said Buie. “Thank you, DeKalb, for giving him this opportunity, but trust me when I tell you you’re fortunate to have him because they don’t come any better.”
After hearing from those who know Byrd the closest, City Manager Bill Nicklas says he is proud DeKalb and its new chief chose each other.
“You picked us with your application. You had confidence in us, and I have no doubt that your confidence will be re-enforced many times with the men and women of the DeKalb Police Department. Thank you for that,” said Nicklas in front of the large crowd at the swearing in. “And I have to say to all of you, I’m just damn proud and honored that we picked him.”
And Byrd thanked the City for the opportunity.
“DeKalb has just been fantastic to me,” said Byrd. “I’m just excited to be a part of this family now.”
All of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed here on Facebook.
Byrd has been holding a series of open houses to meet the community. There are two left. They are on June 2 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. and again that night from 6 to 7:30.
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DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd stands with City Manager Bill Nicklas following Byrd’s swearing in on May 3. |
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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 following positions:
Account Technician I:
The full-time, Account Technician I performs a variety of utility billing, customer service and clerical duties for the Finance Department. Initial review of applications will begin Tuesday, June 1st. Position will remain open until filled.
Public Works Seasonal Maintenance: The full-time, Public Works Seasonal Maintenance position will assist the Utility Division with mowing, trimming, painting, and maintaining of hydrants. This position is available over the summer with great work hours Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm! Position will remain open until filled.
Telecommunicator: The City is accepting applications for Telecommunicator to establish an eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies. The Telecommunicator receives and responds to Police and Fire calls of an emergency and non-emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Applications will be accepted until Sunday, June 6th.
To view the full job description and application instructions, click here.
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DeKalb Exercises Option to Purchase Hunter Hillcrest |
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DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes announced May 12 that in accordance with the recent Settlement Agreement between the City and Hunter Properties, the City has exercised its option to purchase the Hunter Hillcrest property (1011-1027 Hillcrest Drive, PIN: 0815151014).
Under the Settlement and Release Agreement of April 21, 2021, the Parties put into place a path toward a change in ownership of four principal properties under Hunter ownership: Hunter Hillcrest (1011-1027 Hillcrest); Hunter Ridgebrook (808-832 Ridge and 835 Edgebrook); Hunter Tri-Frat (930-934 Greenbrier) and Lincoln Tower (1100 W. Lincoln Highway). More specifically, the settlement afforded the City an assignable option to purchase any of the properties at their individually appraised value as determined by an agreed appraiser. To assure agreement on an appraised value, the settlement established a process by which each Party shall name an Illinois licensed real estate appraiser, and the two appraisers shall then select a third, “agreed appraiser” to establish a fair market value.
The City notified Hunter properties of its intent to purchase Hunter Hillcrest on Monday evening, May 10. At the same time, the City identified its designated appraiser. Hunter Properties responded on Wednesday, May 12 (within the requisite five-day response period) with the name of its designated appraiser. The two designated appraisers now have five days to name the agreed appraiser. Once the agreed appraiser is selected, that entity has sixty (60) days to complete its appraisal of the Hunter Hillcrest properties.
Mayor Barnes explained that “the DeKalb City Council is determined to make a positive difference for the Annie Glidden North neighborhood and to breathe new life into the vital core of that neighborhood, which includes the Hunter Hillcrest properties and the City-owned properties that connect along the Blackhawk Drive corridor between Hillcrest and Ridge Drives.”
City Manager Bill Nicklas added: “I strongly support the bold action of our Mayor and Council to pursue the acquisition of the Hunter Hillcrest properties. When combined with the City’s properties on Blackhawk, the City will be in a position to work with the Opportunity DeKalb board and other stakeholders to solicit creative redevelopment proposals.”
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Sump Pump Assistance Offered |
DeKalb is launching a sump pump assistance program that will reimburse homeowners up to $3,000 or 50% of the cost, whichever is less, for the remedy of illegal sump pump installations.
In some instances, the removal of illegal sump pump piping from the sanitary sewerage system may be part of a larger project to repair or replace private house sanitary laterals. In such instances, the homeowner may be eligible for both the City program and the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District’s lateral assistance program, which would reduce the overall cost significantly.
Learn more about the City’s program here.
The graphic below illustrates common sources of inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewage system.
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Fire Department Calls Drop Only Slightly During Pandemic |
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After a record year, calls handled by DeKalb firefighter/paramedics were down only slightly in 2020 as the department wrestled with new challenges brought on by COVID-19.
The Fire Department’s annual report for last year shows 6,325 calls, a reduction of just over five percent from 2019 when the department handled a record number of calls. Emergency medical service calls were down just over two percent last year to 5,066.
City Manager Bill Nicklas says the reduction can be traced back to the pandemic, noting the year started out steady but call volume dropped suddenly three months into the year when the pandemic hit.
“More people were staying home. They weren’t trusting hospitals yet and they weren’t trusting medical personnel,” said Nicklas at the City Council meeting on May 24. “Then as trust levels came up and there was an easing of constraints on businesses and so forth, the calls for service rose again.”
Last year’s call volume was still higher than any other year in the past decade except 2019 and at the same time, the department addressed unique challenges.
Vastly different medical orders were put into place to care for suspected or known COVID-19 patients, protective gear was procured, safety procedures were implemented to protect firefighter/paramedics and their patients, and local emergency planning was done with long-term healthcare and other large facilities.
Despite the obstacles, Fire Chief Jeff McMaster (shown in the photo above) says the community came through.
“2020 was a year that everybody will remember, and at times, want to forget,” said McMaster. “What was remarkable about 2020 was how our community rallied around each other from every angle.”
With COVID numbers improving, calls to the DeKalb Fire Department have returned to a record-setting pace. McMaster says this year’s call volume is outpacing that seen in 2019, and the department fully anticipates surpassing that mark.
The City already has a plan in place to boost staffing to meet the increasing number of calls. Under the collective-bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1236 approved last year, minimum shift numbers will gradually increase from 13 to 16 firefighter/paramedics by 2024.
The 2020 annual report can be viewed here.
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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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Bus Service Expanded to Large Employers |
The DeKalb Public Transit System is improving accessibility to jobs by expanding bus service to southside businesses, including the new Ferrara Candy Company facilities.
The Transit System’s Route 19, which serves several large employers, has begun offering longer hours, from 8:50 a.m. to midnight Monday-Friday, and the route has been extended to provide service to the Ferrara Candy Company facilities on Gurler Road. The early-morning Route 19E has also started servicing Ferrara. The service enhancements went into effect on May 24.
DeKalb transit staff worked with Ferrara representatives to provide nine daily trips to and from the new facilities that coincide with the start and end times of employee shifts.
As part of the enhancements, Route 19 also provides increased access to Harvestore Drive employers. The afternoon and evening service is being expanded to hourly service during all hours of operation.
DeKalb Transit Manager Marcus Cox says providing access to jobs is central to the transit system’s mission.
“Park 88, Harvestore Dr., Chicago West, and the other commercial corridors located in southeastern DeKalb provide ample employment opportunities for our community members,” said Cox. “It’s imperative that our public transit system connect our residents to these areas to ensure access to reliable, well-paying jobs.”
Route 19S will continue to operate as the school route, and runs from 8:15 a.m to 8:45 a.m., providing public transit access to Tyler Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Huntley Middle School, and Founders Elementary.
The new Route 19 and Route 19E 19S riders guides can be found here.
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Extended bus routes to the Ferrara Candy Company facilities are part of the DeKalb Public Transit System service expansions that took effect on May 24. |
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Charity Golf Outing Planned |
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Human Relations Commission
June 1, 6:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department
Citizens' Environmental Commission
June 3, 4 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 7, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
DeKalb Public Library Board
June 9, 7 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
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City Council
June 14, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 21, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
Airport Advisory Board
June 22, 7 p.m. in the West Community Hanger at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
City Council
June 28, 6 p.m. in the Yusunas Room at the DeKalb Public Library
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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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Stagecoach Player
Love Letters
June 10, 11 & 12 at 7:30 p.m. and June 13 at 2 p.m.
For tickets, call 815-748-1940, and see the full schedule of shows here.
Northern Illinois University
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.
Send an e-mail to submit your event to possibly be included in our calendar!
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DeKalb Public Library
309 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL
Virtual Cooking Program: Fabulous 50’s
From ice cream sundaes to rocket burgers, enjoy the fabulous foods from the 1950’s. Cookbook collector Amy Alessio will lead audience members on a fond but funny look back at mid-century menus. Recipes will be provided!
Saturday, June 12, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Register for the event here, and see all of the library's programs on its calendar.
Egyptian Theatre
135 North Second Street, DeKalb, IL
Brother's Revival
Live music is coming back to the Egyptian Theatre! Don't miss A Brother’s Revival. Lauded as the most authentic Allman Brothers Band tribute that includes the fan favorite songs in their original format including "Ramblin' Man," "Melissa" and many more!
Friday, June 25, 8 p.m.
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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. - 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
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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