Deputies were called to the intersection of Pleasant Hill and Baseline roads about 4:09 p.m. Thursday for a reported rollover crash with injuries.

Authorities said that a 72-year-old Hoffman Estates man driving a white 2012 Chevrolet Silverado allegedly failed to yield at a southbound stop sign on Pleasant Hill Road at the intersection, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies determined that the man drove the Silverado into the intersection and crashed into a gray 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 39-year-old woman from Genoa with three minors in the car.

The Silverado, which also carried a passenger, 45, from Sandwich, struck the passenger side of the Tahoe, authorities said.

Paramedics took all occupants from both vehicles to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital for minor injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both vehicles were towed from the crash site.

The Hoffman Estates man was cited by the sheriff’s office for failure to yield at a stop intersection.

No injuries were reported.

The DeKalb Fire Department responded to reports of an upper-level apartment fire at about 12:46 a.m. Thursday in the 1300 block of Annie Glidden Road, according to a news release.

Firefighters saw smoke and flames coming from the window of a third-floor apartment. The fire was located in the apartment’s bedroom.

No one was inside at the time, according to the release. The fire was contained to one unit.

Crews ventilated the building to remove smoke and heat. The fire was under control in about 10 minutes, though authorities remained at the apartment building for about 90 minutes, according to the release.

The DeKalb Fire Department reported the fire was accidental, caused by a failed battery power source.

DeKalb firefighters were recalled during the response to aid other fire stations.

Officials said they wanted to remind residents of the importance of fire safety.

“Lithium-ion batteries supply power to many kinds of devices, including smartphones, laptops, e-scooters and ebikes, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys, and even vehicles,” according to the release. “If not used correctly, or if damaged, these batteries can catch on fire or explode.”

Residents are encouraged to follow manufacturer guidelines. Additional fire safety tips regarding lithium-ion batteries can be found through the National Fire Protection Association.

By then, trauma has often already set in. Maybe it’s linked to the home, a parent or guardian, spaces meant to be safe that instead cause harm.

That’s why every child needs a voice, someone to look out for them. Jessica Sandlund, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates DeKalb County, knows the importance of that intimately.

“I was 19 years old when I finally used my voice to share about the sexual abuse I had experienced as a child,” Sandlund said to a crowd gathered in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore on Wednesday. “This began my healing process. And what I have come to believe is that using our voice to share our story is often the first and most important step in our healing journey.”

The annual Hands Around the Courthouse event, cohosted with Family Service Agency, takes place during Child Abuse Prevention Month to bring awareness to the issue and highlight local resources available to help.

Sandlund has been with CASA since 2015.

“Child abuse thrives in secrecy, and oftentimes it’s a generational cycle that keeps going and going and going until someone has the courage to speak up,” Sandlund said. “Children who experience abuse face shame, guilt, fear and lies that all drive them to stay silent. Without speaking the truth, victims of abuse are stuck in that fear and sometimes all of the unhealthy coping mechanisms we use to try to survive.”

CASA advocates act as guardians ad litem for children who suffer abuse or neglect in DeKalb County. As cases move through Associate Judge Sarah Gallagher-Chami’s courtroom, CASA workers work to ensure every child gets the safety and support they deserve.

“CASA’s role in prevention for these cases is really more about preventing any further abuse,” Sandlund said. “We advocate for the children to get all of the services they need to heal, whether that be counseling, play therapy, developmental screenings, family therapy, or whatever they need. We want to ensure they have the tools and support they need to process their trauma and move forward.”

In 2025, CASA advocates, staff and volunteers helped 193 children, trained eight new volunteers to be court advocates, bringing the total to 60 volunteers, and successfully closed 50 cases in court.

CASA advocates are the “eyes and ears” for the judge, Sandlund said. They visit children at home. They monitor parental visits as parents or guardians work to rebuild relationships.

Prosecutor Johanna Tracy, of the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office, handles every child abuse and neglect case that comes into the county. Gallagher-Chami presides over each one.

“What that means is I see firsthand what happens when the systems around a child work,” Tracy said. “And I see what happens when they don’t, or when they’re absent. I see the cases that make the news and the ones that never do. We see children who find their voice and children who are still searching for it. We see children who are being listened to, children who are being ignored, families in crisis, families in denial and families who are trying as hard as they know how.”

Tracy said she’s been in the role for about two years. She spoke about her passion for the work, saying she believes that what happens to a child in their earliest years shapes everything that comes after.

It’s a group effort, helping children overcome abuse and end up in healthier home environments. From the Family Service Agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center and local law enforcement, to foster parents, teachers, nurses, neighbors and social workers, each advocate along the way matters, she said.

“This job for me is an honor,” Tracy said. “It is an honor to be trusted with these cases, to stand up in court on behalf of these children who could not do it for themselves, to be the person who says out loud and on the record, ‘This happened, it was wrong, and this child deserves better.’”

State’s Attorney Riley Oncken said it’s important to remember that abuse cases are happening everywhere, including in DeKalb County.

But so are the tireless efforts of institutions, lawyers, advocates and social service workers who are committed to putting children first.

“It’s exhausting, heartbreaking work done by people who care deeply about protecting kids,” Oncken said. “It’s also done by people who care about holding people accountable. I’m grateful to be in a county where those people are serious about what they do.”

A challenge to preventing and stopping child abuse is an obvious one: Children can often be too young, too afraid or without a trusted adult around, to speak up for themselves.

“What I’ve learned in this role is that the outcomes depend enormously on who is paying attention,” Oncken said. “Often, it’s the difference between a child who gets help and a child who doesn’t. So today, standing here together, that’s what we’re saying: We are paying attention.”

Child abuse is a national epidemic, Judge Gallagher-Chami said.

According to Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois, 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. In fiscal 2023, 12,513 Illinois children were served by advocacy centers.

About 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser in some way. In 2025, 4,826 children entered foster care in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

As of March 31, 30 DeKalb County children are in foster care, according to DCFS data. And 92 total are receiving care for abuse or neglect.

“Child abuse can be open and obvious or veiled and concealed,” Gallagher-Chami said. “Child abuse is physical, mental, emotional. Child abuse is traumatic.”

Every child needs a champion, Gallagher-Chami said. She said local social service organizations serve children “in their darkest hours.”

It takes time to heal from trauma, Sandlund said. She called on community members to reduce the stigma of seeking services and to create safe places for children to go when they need help.

“How we show up for the children that we serve truly matters,” Sandlund said. “[...] As a community, we need to encourage one another to ask for help and to be honest with how we are really doing. We need to make it OK to not be OK.”

“We are here because we decided ‘No more,’ ” said a survivor of sexual assault in DeKalb on Monday who testified she’s been helped by “goddess-level” Safe Passage staff for about a decade.

The weather held out Monday evening for participants and local advocates who marched in downtown DeKalb for Take Back the Night. Safe Passage marked Sexual Assault Awareness Month, in its 25th year, with the event, which survivors said brought them hope.

“Join together, free our lives, we will not be victimized,” marchers chanted as they walked through downtown carrying signs that declared “Hands off our bodies,” “No means no,” “Coercion is not consent,” “Not just a women’s issue” and “I believe you.”

Rebecca Versluys, executive director of Safe Passage, said Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls communities to honor survivors “whose courage broke silence,” and advocates who helped bring lasting change.

“It is both a milestone and a moment of reflection, an opportunity to acknowledge the progress we have made while recognizing that there’s still work that needs to be done,” Versluys said to a crowd of about 30 gathered inside the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

Since 2002, Safe Passage’s sexual assault response program has helped 1,388 adult survivors and 482 child survivors, staff said. In 2025, Safe Passage provided 4,417 nights of shelter for adults and 1,982 nights for children.

The event’s main speaker was Carrie Ward, CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a statewide network of 31 crisis shelters offering 24/7 support, counseling and advocacy.

While Sexual Assault Awareness Month was first observed nationally in 2001, the beginnings of women-led Take Back the Night gatherings date back farther.

“At its origin, the Take Back the Night movement began as a direct, literal effort for women and girls to walk safely at night anywhere,” Ward said.

In the 1970s, sexual violence reported in Pennsylvania, San Francisco and Los Angeles gained wide media attention, prompting the first marked Take Back the Night event in Philadelphia.

A similar event, dubbed “Reclaim the Night,” was born in Rome after 16,000 rapes were reported in the city in 1976, Ward said. In Leeds, England that same year, authorities told women to stay indoors while a predator targeting, assaulting and murdering women was at large. Organizers staged a Reclaim the Night there, too, outraged, Ward said.

“And I get it. Because why is the solution for women to always stay inside?” Ward said.

Take Back the Night came after hard-fought progress labored over during other movements like fights for women’s suffrage, the civil rights era and pushes for reproductive freedoms.

Why is it important to know the history of these movements? To know where to go next.

“Especially at a time where we have seen setbacks to hard-fought battles for equality, where we have seen victims’ voices silenced, when we have seen accountability for offenders grind to a halt,” Ward said. “And when we have seen survivors fall through the cracks.”

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45.1% of women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

Data shows that 21% of women are survivors of completed or attempted rape, and 16% of men experience sexual violence. At work, 1 in 3 women experience sexual harassment, the data shows. And 1 in 4 women experience technology-facilitated sexual violence.

That’s why shelters like Safe Passage – which broke ground in December on a forthcoming new, expanded shelter at 217 Franklin St. in DeKalb – are so important, Ward said.

The agency offers shelter and temporary housing for those seeking to leave a violent situation, including for children. Those in need of help at Safe Passage will find counseling sessions, safety planning and aid in filing an order of protection in DeKalb County court if they need it.

“While we know that the circumstances that bring someone into shelter are often traumatic, your provision of a safe, welcoming environment goes a long way toward helping them heal,” Ward said of Safe Passage.

Sexual violence can, and does, happen to anyone, statistics show. Advocates said programs like crisis centers push for awareness and greater reporting, and a system that lifts up survivors.

“We want to see a society that believes and supports survivors, that holds offenders accountable for their behavior, that prevents future sexual violence,” Ward said.

This story was updated on April 29, 2026, to correct an earlier version that misstated the year that Safe Passage began. Since 2002, Safe Passage’s sexual assault response program has helped 1,388 adult survivors and 482 child survivors, staff said.

A jury of his peers will rule whether Kevin A. Schmidt, 35, is fit to stand trial on four charges of first-degree murder after his parents, Holly S. Schmidt, 59, and Gary A. Schmidt, 60, were found beaten to death at their home in unincorporated Sycamore on Sept. 30, 2025.

Police believe the Schmidts were likely killed sometime in the evening of Sept. 29.

The Schmidts were well known and liked in the community, those who knew them said. Holly Schmidt was a longtime educator in Sycamore School District 427 and had a passion for working with animals, according to her obituary. Gary Schmidt was a master carpenter, whose “love language was acts of service,” the obituary reads.

Schmidt’s lawyer, public defender Chip Criswell, said the trial was requested by Schmidt after they discussed next steps. The defense has had Schmidt evaluated by a professional, who is expected to testify during the fitness trial.

Kevin Schmidt appeared in court virtually Wednesday, from the DeKalb County Jail.

Criswell previously said Schmidt has a history of mental illness.

An order of protection filed by Holly Schmidt against her son expired weeks before her death, court records show. The filings show that Holly petitioned a judge more than once to prohibit Kevin from harming her, Gary, and other family members, including pets.

Circuit Court Judge Philip Montgomery set Schmidt’s fitness trial for 10 a.m. on May 18, with a final pre-trial hearing at 1:30 p.m. on May 13.

A jury trial for a fitness ruling doesn’t happen often, according to the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office. But it’s a right afforded to Schmidt under the law, Montgomery said Wednesday.

Prosecutor Brooks Locke said the May trial isn’t about Schmidt’s guilt or innocence, but the jury’s verdict will decide how his case proceeds.

If he’s found unfit, Schmidt likely will be remanded into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services for a period where he could receive treatment tied to his health needs. Montgomery said he could then be reevaluated at a future date for a criminal trial to proceed.

If Schmidt is found fit for trial, the case would proceed in court toward either a criminal trial or a plea.

If convicted of murder in both his parents’ killings, Schmidt faces a life sentence.

Deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office alleged that Schmidt confessed to the killings, according to DeKalb County court records. Police alleged Schmidt recounted in great detail how he began plotting his parents’ deaths the night of Sept. 28, fearing they would “hold him hostage or kill him,” records state.

Schmidt remains detained without release at the DeKalb County Jail as of Wednesday.

Joseph Moreno, 36, of Warrenville, died at an area hospital after he suffered a gunshot wound. Moreno was identified in a joint news release by the Illinois State Police and the DeKalb County Coroner’s Office.

The report on his manner of death remains pending an ongoing forensic investigation.

“DeKalb County Coroner Linda Besler and her staff extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time,” according to the release.

Illinois State Police said Moreno was seen driving a Honda sedan wanted in connection to a missing person reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis.

The shooting happened at 3:12 p.m. Monday on westbound I-88 west of Keslinger Road in Maple Park at the DeKalb-Kane County line.

On Monday afternoon, a Naperville police officer saw the vehicle near State Route 59 and North Aurora Road, according to a news release from the ISP.

Police said the driver, later identified as Moreno, brandished a gun and then fled in the Honda. Warrenville police found the Honda and pursued it “as the driver continued to brandish” a gun, ISP said.

ISP became involved in the police chase when the vehicle got onto I-88 moving west. Police used spike strips on the Honda as it entered DeKalb County, ISP said. The Honda stopped on I-88 near Keslinger Road.

Authorities said at that point, both Moreno and a Warrenville police officer fired a gun. Moreno suffered a gunshot wound. Authorities gave him emergency care at the scene. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died, ISP said.

No police officers were injured during the shooting, authorities said.

I-88 eastbound and westbound were backed up for hours on Monday. Though the eastbound lanes reopened about 4 p.m., ISP closed the westbound lanes so authorities could respond. Illinois Route 47 ramps to I-88 westbound also were closed.

Traffic was reportedly at a standstill as far west as Peace Road in DeKalb.

The Honda was seen along the shoulder of I-88 with the passenger window shattered and debris on the ground.

Authorities asked motorists to seek alternate routes during the investigation. ISP posted the alert about 3:30 p.m. Monday. A large police presence was in the westbound lanes for hours along the interstate in Maple Park.

The shooting and the Warrenville officer’s use of force will be reviewed by the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office following an internal ISP investigation.

This year, Little Barbs Academy has expanded to seven elementary schools in District 428: Brooks, Cortland, Founders, Littlejohn, Malta, Mitchell and Tyler. Children attend the school assigned to them based on district boundaries.

The Little Barbs Academy for incoming kindergartners will return Aug. 3 through Aug. 6. The program runs 9 to 11 a.m. those days, according to a district news release.

Interested families must complete an interest form by July 10. To view a form, visit www.dist428.org. Forms are available in English and Spanish.

Little Barbs Academy is a special program designed to help incoming kindergarten students build confidence, practice school routines, and become familiar with their school before the first day of kindergarten, according to the release.

Through play, stories, and hands-on activities, students will learn skills that help them feel comfortable and ready for school.

The program is especially helpful for children who have not previously attended preschool or another structured care setting, as well as for students who may benefit from additional support as they transition into kindergarten, according to the district.

More information will be provided upon completion of the interest form.

The anti-ICE rally, which organizers called “Communities Not Cages,” will run from noon to 1 p.m. at the corner of First Street and Lincoln Highway, sometimes known as Peace Corner.

Communities Not Cages is a national day of action organized by residents and area activist groups such as +350Kishwaukee and REACT (Responsive Engagement Activating Civic Talent), according to a news release.

Organizers said they plan to peacefully protest “the Trump administration’s cruel mass deportation and detention agenda,” according to the release.

“We allow the government to cage families and children every day for no other reason than the color of their skin,” Devon Wilcox, co-leader of the DeKalb Area Rapid Response Team group, said in the release. “This is un-American. We cannot stand by and allow our families, friends and neighbors to be relegated to camps and do nothing. Please stand with us in holding our government accountable and urge them to empty these camps and begin to heal this scar on our nation’s soul.”

Organizers argue that President Donald Trump’s administration’s use of large warehouses for mass detention “will exponentially increase the likelihood for abuse and death in ICE custody, subjecting people to conditions that are meant for storing products, never people,” according to the release.

So far, immigration officials have spent a total of $1.074 billion for 11 warehouses, The Associated Press reported. After Kristi Noem was fired, new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, earlier this month, began reviewing ongoing plans to transform warehouses across the country into detention facilities for tens of thousands of immigrants.

Those plans have faced fierce public opposition. Days after Mullin was sworn in, the Department of Homeland Security paused the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants.

Just across the border in Merrillville, Indiana, a 275,000-square-foot warehouse was identified as a targeted detention center expansion site but then rejected after the site owner said they weren’t negotiating with the DHS, The AP reported. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the DHS bought a warehouse for $14.4 million without notifying the city’s Democratic leaders or the state’s Republican governor or congressional delegation.

“The administration knows that these warehouse detention centers are wildly unpopular, so they try to keep it quiet,” Cynthia de Seife of REACT said in the release. “That’s why these nationwide demonstrations are so important. We are standing on street corners to make it clear to lawmakers and fellow Americans that we do not approve of these abusive actions.”

DeKalb County residents have protested en masse since Trump took office for his second term, opposing many of his policies on top issues such as the Iran war, immigration, health care, higher education funding, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.

The Associated Press contributed.

A burglary was reported at 8:30 p.m. April 15 at Hickey’s Corner Store, 4201 State Route 38 in Malta.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact the DeKalb County Crime Stoppers at 815-895-3272 or email crimestoppers@dekalbcounty.org.

Callers don’t need to leave their name. Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Illinois State Police said the person – a man who hasn’t been identified as of 11 p.m. Monday – was seen driving a Honda sedan wanted in connection to a missing person reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis.

The shooting happened about 3:12 p.m. on westbound I-88 west of Keslinger Road in Maple Park at the DeKalb-Kane County line. The man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

On Monday afternoon, a Naperville police officer spotted the vehicle near State Route 59 and North Aurora Road, according to a news release from the ISP.

Police said the driver brandished a gun and then fled in the Honda. Warrenville police found the Honda and pursued it “as the driver continued to brandish” a gun, ISP said.

ISP became involved in the police chase when the vehicle got onto I-88 moving west. Police used spike strips on the Honda as it entered DeKalb County, according to ISP. The Honda stopped on I-88 near Keslinger Road.

Authorities said at that point, both the driver and a Warrenville police officer fired a gun. The driver suffered a gunshot wound. Authorities gave him emergency care at the scene. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died, according to ISP.

No police officers were injured during the shooting, authorities said.

I-88 eastbound and westbound were backed up for hours on Monday. Though the eastbound lanes reopened about 4 p.m., ISP closed the westbound lanes so authorities could respond. Illinois Route 47 ramps to I-88 westbound were also closed.

Traffic was reportedly at a standstill as far west as Peace Road in DeKalb.

The Honda was seen along the shoulder of I-88 with the passenger window shattered and debris on the ground.

Authorities asked motorists to seek alternate routes during the investigation. ISP posted the alert about 3:30 p.m. Monday. A large police presence was in the westbound lanes for hours along the interstate in Maple Park.

The shooting and the Warrenville officer’s use of force will be reviewed by the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office following an internal ISP investigation.

DeKalb County sheriff’s deputies helped briefly with traffic control on Monday afternoon, Sheriff Andy Sullivan said.

Shaw Local Reporter Megann Horstead contributed.

The city of Sycamore announced the plans are part of efficiency upgrades meant to ensure traffic signals, including GPS clocks and vehicle detection systems, are working accurately.

For some intersection traffic lights, work is planned to upgrade the clocks from analog timers to digital ones. The city said the work will “prevent ‘drift’ and reduce mistiming” between the traffic signals.

Additional work will be done on some intersections to add a video vehicle detection system, meant to improve traffic efficiency, according to the city. All city traffic lights at intersections are currently on timers.

The work is expected to last until May 29, according to the city.

The traffic light work is funded with 80% outside funding and a 20% local match, according to the city.

The schedule could change due to weather, labor or material availability.

Residents with questions should call 815-895-3545 or visit the city’s website at www.cityofsycamore.com/constructionnotices.

The project is scheduled to enter Stage 1 on the east half of Illinois Route 38 from East Side to Whitfield Drive the week of April 27.

Stage 1 is expected to continue through spring 2027, with the schedule subject to change. The public is encouraged to visit the project web page for updates.

Traffic will shift to the north side of State Street, with one lane open in each direction. Barrier walls, temporary pavement markings, and signage will be installed to guide motorists through the work zone.

Stage 1 pavement removal will begin on the eastern end of the project once traffic control measures are in place. The current traffic pattern between Route 25 and Simpson Street – where traffic is limited to the outside lanes in both directions – will remain until the sanitary sewer main is completed in mid-May, weather permitting.

The Stage 1 phase calls for the installation of a new water main on the south side of East State Street from Route 25 to near Ridge/Briar lanes. Additional work includes the removal and replacement of pavement, sidewalk, lighting, storm sewer, curb/gutter, and driveways. Once sanitary work is finished, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the north side of East State Street from Route 25 to Whitfield Drive.

Turn lanes will be provided at signalized intersections. Access to side streets and businesses will be maintained with occasional temporary closures.

Utility relocation work began in August 2025 and is expected to wrap up in May 2026.

IDOT’s contractor started the multi-year East State Street reconstruction in March 2026.

The overall project is expected to rebuild Route 38 from Glengarry Drive to the Fox River.

The project will include new street lighting, sidewalks, roadway widening to incorporate a shared left turn lane throughout the corridor, new trees, bike lanes, streetscape enhancements, traffic signal upgrades, and water main/storm drainage infrastructure improvements.

The full project is anticipated to be completed in late 2027, with some additional items to be finished the following year.

Future project phases can be found on the city’s website.

DeKalb County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Melissa Amedeo was recognized at the conference after she was nominated by State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore.

“I want to thank Rep. Keicher for nominating me for this year’s Women to Watch Conference,” Amedeo said in a news release. “It was an insightful conference, and I appreciated the opportunity to meet and network with women leaders from across Illinois.”

The annual event, hosted by the Illinois House Republican Caucus, brings together women leaders from across Illinois for a day of recognition and leadership development programming.

“It was my honor to nominate Melissa for this year’s Women to Watch Conference,” Keicher said in the release. “She has demonstrated incredible leadership and dedication to foster economic growth and business development that has helped position DeKalb County to attract top talent and opportunities to the region. Melissa, thank you for the work you have done and continue to do to serve the residents of DeKalb County and the 70^th House District.”

Amedeo has more than 30 years of experience in integrated marketing, business development, and strategy, and has worked with Fortune 500 companies such as Kellogg, Del Monte and Butterball.

She was named executive director in 2024.

Amedeo was instrumental in working with DCEDC and business, community, and institutional stakeholders throughout DeKalb County to create and deploy the Opportunity Unbound Branding Plan, according to the release.

Opportunity Unbound is a branding initiative that has attracted billions of dollars of investment in the area. Since 2020, DeKalb County has seen about $4 billion worth of industrial investment, according to the corporation. DeKalb County records $384 million in agricultural production annually, according to DCEDC.

It’s also meant to attract young professionals to want to live and work in the county, and businesses to put down roots.

This year’s conference included activities at the State Capitol Complex, a networking lunch event and a panel discussion. The panel included Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Gearhart Cournoyer. Following the panel discussion, participants had the opportunity to attend legislative activities at the Capitol and a social hour to connect with legislators, sponsors and fellow nominees.

District 70 includes portions of DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties.

The proposal, part of Underwood’s Community Project Funding requests in the 14th District, is one of several that could impact the DeKalb County area. She’s also asked for $1.2 million on behalf of the city of DeKalb to help explore how to extend a Metra commuter rail line from Elburn to DeKalb.

If the funds are approved for Somonauk Fire, the agency would use them to replace and upgrade the department’s inventory of oxygen equipment firefighters use on calls, according to a news release from Underwood’s office.

The equipment – called SCBAs or self-contained breathing apparatus – needs to be replaced to ensure Somonauk first responders can serve their rural community.

“The fire department’s current inventory of SCBAs has reached the end of its certified service life and is currently out of compliance with current standards,” according to a news release from Underwood’s office.

The 14th District includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, Will and La Salle counties.

The proposal, part of Underwood’s Community Project Funding requests in the 14th District, is one of several that could impact the DeKalb County area. She’s also asked for $1.2 million on behalf of the city of DeKalb to help explore how to extend a Metra commuter rail line from Elburn to DeKalb. Another project requested about $474,000 for the Somonauk Fire Protection District.

If approved, Shabbona Township plans to use the funds for Flewellin Memorial Library, 108 W. Comanche Ave., according to a news release from Underwood’s office.

The renovation project would include upgrades to the aging building, “making it a safe, accessible, energy-efficient community hub that supports education, literacy, and community engagement for residents,” according to the release.

The 14th District includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, Will and La Salle counties. Underwood has requested about $30 million worth of federal funding for community projects throughout the district.

Past local projects in DeKalb County communities have benefited from federal money secured with help from Underwood’s office.

In 2024, the Hinckley Public Library received $1 million to move the library to a new location at 142 W. Lincoln Ave.

Also in 2024, DeKalb-based Safe Passage, a shelter and nonprofit that supports those suffering from domestic violence and abuse, was awarded $2.5 million in Community Project Funding dollars. The money aided shelter plans to relocate to 217 Franklin St. Safe Passage broke ground on that new location in December.

The proposal, part of Underwood’s Community Project Funding requests in the 14th District, is one of two that could impact the Kane County area. She’s also asked for $1.2 million on behalf of the city of DeKalb to help explore how to extend a Metra commuter rail line from Elburn to DeKalb.

In total, Underwood has requested more than $30 million go to 20 projects in her district, including for health care, public safety, transportation access, job growth, water infrastructure and food security.

“Our families will feel the enormous impact of these 20 projects every day,” Underwood said in a news release. “We’re making sure our drinking water is clean and safe across northern Illinois, strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities, improving our public transit systems, and so much more.”

If approved, Sugar Grove would use the funds for a new building to train first responders with the fire district and those who go through Waubonsee Community College’s Fire Science Technology Program, according to a news release.

The training facility would have classrooms and specialized training areas to learn about auto extrication, aircraft rescue, water and ice rescue procedures, diver training, secure equipment storage and more.

In a public announcement Sept. 12, 2025, the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District said the facility was being built at 1660 Denny Road. The site also could be the home to a second fire station in the future, pending the growing needs of the department, according to the post.

The 14th District includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, Will and La Salle counties.

The Take Back the Night annual event will feature a march and survivor vigil from 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 27 at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., in downtown DeKalb.

Community members are invited to stand in support of survivors of sexual violence with this year’s theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back and Moving Forward to New Beginnings.”

The evening will begin with a short walk where participants march together through downtown DeKalb in solidarity with survivors. The event will conclude with a Survivor Vigil, offering a meaningful opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and healing.

“Having worked alongside survivors and advocates for nearly 30 years, I’ve seen how powerful it is when a community stands together and says that sexual violence will not be tolerated,” Safe Passage Executive Director Rebecca Versluys said in a news release. “Take Back the Night is not only about raising awareness – it’s about creating a space where survivors feel supported, believed, and empowered. As we mark the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we honor how far we’ve come while recommitting ourselves to building a future where everyone in DeKalb County can live free from violence.”

Participants are invited to wear teal, the color of sexual assault awareness, to demonstrate solidarity with survivors.

Event guest speaker Ward has been a leader in the movement to support survivors for nearly three decades. She joined the Coalition in 1996 and now leads the statewide coalition in strategic planning, policy advocacy, and oversight of funding that supports rape crisis centers across Illinois.

Ward also represents the Coalition on several statewide task forces and committees, including the Illinois Forensic Science Commission and the Missing and Murdered Women in Chicago Task Force, and serves as Board Treasurer for the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, representing rape crisis centers across the country.

Safe Passage also recognizes the many community partners who help support survivors every day, according to the release.

That includes local law enforcement agencies, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE nurses), medical providers, counselors and other service professionals who play a critical role in ensuring survivors in DeKalb County receive compassionate care and coordinated support during incredibly difficult moments. All community partners who help survivors are welcome to attend in solidarity with survivors.

“Take Back the Night highlights both the progress made over the past 25 years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the work that still remains,” organizers said in a news release. “By coming together as a community, residents can help create safer spaces, reduce stigma, and show survivors that they are not alone.”

For more information about the event or Safe Passage services, visit www.safepassagedv.org.

Safe Passage has served DeKalb County for 45 years, providing free and confidential services to individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence. Through advocacy, counseling, prevention education, compassionate intervention, and community partnerships, Safe Passage works to support survivors and create a safer community for all.

DeKalb police responded to a reported stabbing in the early morning hours before 3 a.m., he said.

“The victim and offender had a disagreement which led to a later altercation at which time the victim was cut with a knife,” Byrd said. “The victim and the offender did not know each other.”

Byrd said the person suffered a minor cut after they were “slashed.”

No arrests have been made as of about 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Investigators are still determining what may have caused the incident.

For more information on city of DeKalb route timetables, visit cityofdekalb.com.

The city’s Public Transit Division oversees transit funding and planning for the DeKalb Urbanized Area, including the cities of DeKalb and Sycamore, and Cortland and Northern Illinois University. Transit services, including Huskie Line routes and paratransit services, are provided on a contractual basis by Transdev Inc.

In 2025, the program provided 1,088,518 passenger trips. For more information on the city of DeKalb Public Transit Division, visit cityofdekalb.com.

Juan Pop-Pana, 26, was convicted by a Kane County jury on Sept. 9, 2025, for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child and intimidation.

Prosecutors said between April 3, 2022, and June 3, 2024, Pop-Pana sexually abused a girl multiple times, and also threatened to harm the girl’s mother, according to a news release. Authorities said he knew the victim.

Assistant state’s attorneys Morgan Wilkinson and Jacki Kliment led the prosecution.

Wilkinson condemned Pop-Pana’s actions in the release, saying he “took advantage” of the child who was in a vulnerable position.

“He then threatened her for her silence,” Wilkinson said in the release. “Despite his heinous actions, the victim in this case showed her resilience by speaking up for herself and testifying against him. I want to thank the victim for coming forward and testifying against her attacker to make sure that no other child would be a victim of the defendant.”

Prosecutors worked with the Child Advocacy Center’s Multidisciplinary Team and Investigator Dave Smith on the case, according to the release.

Pop-Pana also must register as a sex offender in Illinois for the rest of his life.

Judge Bianca Camargo sentenced Pop-Pana to seven years for criminal sexual assault, three years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child and three years for intimidation. He must serve at least 85% of the seven-year sentence and 50% of the sentencing for the remaining two felony convictions, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

He gets credit for 688 days he’s served so far in the Kane County Jail awaiting trial and sentencing.

Andrew C. Burnett, now 22, faces a minimum of 30 years in prison in the Illinois Department of Corrections. His sentencing date hasn’t yet been set, court records show.

After a three-day trial, Burnett was convicted on Wednesday on five counts of the Class X felony in connection with the repeated abuse of a boy under the age of 13, records show. His maximum sentence could be 120 years.

State’s Attorney Riley Oncken said in a news release that the victims – two children – testified in person during the trial. He commended their courage. The other child’s case against Burnett remains pending in court.

“They faced their abuser in court and told their horrific stories of abuse to the jury and the jury did the right thing, believing them and disregarding Burnett’s incredible story that the kids made the entire thing up,” Oncken said in the release.

Charged on July 30, 2024, Burnett was extradited from Williamson County to DeKalb County to await trial.

Prosecutors at the time alleged Burnett sexually assaulted two children multiple times over the course of several months while in DeKalb County, according to court records. The children told police that they tried to stop Burnett from attacking them, but he did not, police wrote a July 30, 2024, court filing.

A victim interview where the child relayed the abuse which led to Burnett’s charges was “instrumental” as prosecutors Alicia Caplan and Joseph Hodder built their case, Oncken said.

The DeKalb County Family Service Agency has a Children’s Advocacy Center for abuse cases in DeKalb. The room provides a private and safe environment for minors to detail to authorities instances where they’ve been abused.

“April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this case is a perfect example of law enforcement, service providers and the State’s Attorney’s Office working together to keep kids safe and get justice for abused children,” Oncken said in the release.

A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 22 in front of Circuit Court Judge Philip Montgomery.

Burnett remains in custody at the DeKalb County Jail in Sycamore.

He still faces additional charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

He’s also charged with sexually assaulting an adult male while in custody at the county jail, according to the state’s attorney’s office. He was charged on March 23 in connection with a Sept. 6, 2025, incident, records show.

Burnett is represented by the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office, records show.

Oncken said the conviction was also a chance to share the importance of speaking out when something is wrong.

“I want to encourage parents to remind their kids that no one should ever hurt them and that it is never a child’s fault if someone abuses them,” Oncken said in the release. “Far too often, abusers manipulate and threaten child victims to remain silent and predators get away with continued abuse.”

Victor Gensini and scientists from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety examined the specimen and documented several additional large hailstones collected by area residents, according to an NIU news release.

Among them was one that measured 6.6 inches and weighed 19.65 ounces, significantly larger than the current state record of 4.75 inches set in 2015.

“This is about the size of a mini Nerf football – quite remarkable,” Gensini said in the release.

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, an independent nonprofit research organization supported by the insurance industry, partners with scientists to study hail both in the field and in laboratory settings.

Gensini, a leading expert in severe weather and hailstorms, has spent more than a decade researching the formation, frequency and impacts of hail. A professor and a certified consulting meteorologist in NIU’s Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment in DeKalb, Gensini joined an $11 million nationwide hailstorm study in spring 2025, calling it “a once-in-a-career” project.

The stone hasn’t yet been verified. But once done, it could become the largest recorded hailstone in Illinois, and potentially the largest observed in the state since recordkeeping began in the mid-20th century.

The process to officially confirm such a specimen requires more review through an established verification process, according to NIU.

The hailstones were produced by a powerful supercell thunderstorm that swept through northern Illinois and northwest Indiana the night of March 10. A deadly tornado in Kankakee County swept through the village of Aroma Park, killing one and causing significant property damage.

Shaw Local reported that residents saw significant hail damage to property, cars and other areas.

While tornadoes often draw the most attention, hail remains one of the costliest thunderstorm hazards in the country, causing billions of dollars in damage each year to homes, vehicles and businesses.

At NIU, researchers conducted detailed measures and 3D scans of the hailstones as part of the verification process. The stones were preserved by local families, including one from Kankakee County, which allowed scientists to study them before they melted.

Events like the March 10 storm provide critical opportunities for researchers to better understand how and why extreme hail forms and how communities can better prepare for it.

Genisini is the director of NIU’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Convective Storms. He’s led and contributed to major national research efforts, including large-scale field campaigns collecting thousands of hailstone samples, according to NIU.

Genisini’s also part of ICECHIP, the largest hail study ever, which brought together more than 100 scientists from across the U.S. to document and analyze storms.

The research aims to improve forecasting, better understand storm behavior and reduce costly impacts of severe weather.

So far, the research suggests that large hail events may become more common in the future. That’s because changing atmospheric conditions likely will contribute to stronger storms capable of producing larger hailstones, according to NIU.

“We are dedicated to continued monitoring of these extreme hail events due to their significant economic impact,” Gensini said.

The proposal, part of Underwood’s Community Project Funding requests in the 14th District, is one of several that could impact the DeKalb County area.

If Underwood’s federal funding request is approved, the money could be used to help the city prepare development plans and fund additional analyses needed to pursue a Union Pacific West Line extension between DeKalb and Elburn, according to a news release from Underwood’s office.

“Making sure that our community’s needs are reflected in federal funding has always been a top priority of mine in Washington,” Underwood said in the release. “Our families will feel the enormous impact of these 20 projects every day. We’re making sure our drinking water is clean and safe across northern Illinois, strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities, improving our public transit systems, and so much more. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring these federal dollars home.”

DeKalb city leaders have for years considered ways to expand a passenger train line from the suburbs to connect DeKalb directly to Chicago. In their latest move, the DeKalb City Council earlier this month approved a firm to conduct a new transit study which would focus on planning and environmental efforts needed to secure a train line.

TY Lin International Great Lakes will conduct a Planning and Environmental Leakages Study for the Union Pacific rail corridor between Elburn and DeKalb. The study will be paid for with a $400,000 IDOT grant and $100,000 in local funds, according to the city.

The new rail study will look at rail safety, environmental and community impacts, intermodal connectivity, economic feasibility, and coordination with regional plans, city documents show. The study also is a required step to pursue federal transit funding for a Metra extension, city officials have said.

The latest study follows a study approved in 2023, which looked at feasibility.

DeKalb hasn’t had a passenger rail service since 1971, according to Underwood’s office.

The city has taken more steps to study interest in passenger train lines from DeKalb to Elburn. DeKalb’s Route 12 transit bus route takes passengers from DeKalb to the Metra station in Elburn regularly. Ridership on that route – since the city reduced fares and increased frequency – has grown to nearly 43,000 passengers last year, according to city data.

The 14th District includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, Will and La Salle counties.

Jeffrey Wig has been hired as Waterman’s new police chief, according to a social media post from the department.

In a posted statement, Wig said he’s “honored and humbled” to serve in the new role.

“This community is more than just where I work; it is home,” Wig said. “My family has lived in DeKalb County for five generations, and that connection means everything to me. I understand the values that make small communities strong: trust, hard work, and looking out for one another. It is a privilege to serve now and protect a place that reflects those same values.”

Wig has more than two decades of policing experience.

Wig retired in May 2025 from the Sycamore Police Department.

He said he’s led patrol units, investigations, and critical responses. He was also among those in law enforcement who responded to the 2008 mass shooting at Northern Illinois University.

In his statement, he said he prioritizes community involvement. He called Waterman “a proud and growing village with a strong sense of identity.”

“Whether working with schools, serving on advisory boards, presenting to professional organizations, or simply engaging with residents, policing works best when built on relationships,” he said. “You will see me out in the community, at events, and in neighborhoods, because being visible and approachable matters.”

The flood watch impacts most of the northern Illinois region, coming after a line of severe storms pummeled the area Friday night.

Flash flooding – rapid onset flooding caused by severe rainfall and in areas with poor drainage – is dangerous and can be deadly. Areas along rivers, creeks and waterways, or urban areas downstream, could see significant impact.

The flooding also could impact roads and bridges, according to the National Weather Service.

At about 8:29 p.m., NWS radar showed severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and high wind headed to the area.

Residents in the path of the storms and in the tornado warning area were urged to avoid windows, take shelter in an interior room or the lowest level of a building. If outside, in a mobile home or vehicle, they were urged to move to the closest shelter to protect from flying debris.

Dangerous storms were expected to hit Earville at 8:35 p.m., then Sheridan, Shabbona, Serena and Leland around 8:40 p.m., and Sandwich, Lake Holiday, Somonauk and Waterman around 8:45 p.m.

The path of the storms was expected to include DeKalb, Malta, Sycamore, Cortland, Hinckley and Maple Park.

An earlier tornado warning was issued at about 7:50 p.m. Friday for parts of southeastern Ogle and northern DeKalb Counties, including Kingston, Genoa, Kirkland and Rochelle, according to the NWS.

This story was updated at 10:40 p.m. April 17, 2026.