NIU was awarded the grant from the Mellon Foundation, a private, New York-based foundation that supports the arts and humanities, according to a news release.

The private grant will be bolstered by another $1 million matching grant through the Foundation, meant to encourage donors to continue to support the program beyond the next five years.

“This generous investment strengthens NIU’s commitment to connecting the exceptional learning led by our faculty with hands-on, career-focused experiences beyond the classroom,” NIU President Lisa Freeman said in a news release. “These opportunities help students not only graduate but succeed and lead in their chosen fields. We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for its partnership and for recognizing the strength of our vision.”

The university plans to implement a new, multi-year internship program for humanities majors. The funds also are expected to substantially increase paid opportunities for NIU students.

The Mellon Foundation grant is effective through November 2030, according to the release.

In the new program, students are expected to connect with professionals in their field of interest and put their skills to use.

University officials said the grant will help expand student opportunities and reduce barriers, like financial constraints, because the internships will be paid.

Portions of the grant also will establish a long-term endowment.

“This program expands the powerful role the humanities play in preparing students for life after NIU,” Robert Brinkmann, dean of NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said in a news release. “Through paid, high-impact internships, our students will apply the critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills they develop in the classroom to real-world challenges. These experiences not only strengthen career readiness but also deepen community-based partnerships and research opportunities that benefit our students, our faculty, and the broader public.”

The NIU Foundation is expected to oversee the grant money and implementation. Faculty and staff will mentor students through the internship program.

DeKalb police searched a home in the 1000 block of North 15th Street on Friday. No one was home at the time, according to a news release from the DeKalb Police Department.

Police later found the suspect, Michael K. Lange, 28, at a Maple Park residence. He was arrested and charged Feb. 28, according to DeKalb County court filings.

He’s representing himself in court, records show. He’s expected to appear for a hearing at 9 a.m. Thursday, since he’s petitioned for a new judge.

Lange is charged with two Class X felony counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon for the body armor, 16 felony counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, two Class X felony counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; one count of unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, one count of unlawful possession of cannabis and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.

If convicted of the most serious charge, a Class X felony, he faces 30 to 60 years on an extended sentence.

Using a warrant to search the home the morning of Feb. 27, police found 18 firearms, including shotguns, Glock switches capable of converting into a fully automatic pistol, multicaliber rifles, high-capacity magazines and a large quantity of ammunition, authorities said.

The search prompted a large police presence outside the residence. DeKalb police sent out a community alert about 11 a.m. Feb. 27 notifying the public of the search.

“There is no danger to the community at this time,” police said on Friday. “This is an active investigation.”

Police also found more than 2,000 grams of cannabis, a “large quantity” of prescription drugs, more than 15 grams of suspected cocaine, body armor, and “suspected homemade explosives” removed by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad, authorities said.

Lange was arrested by DeKalb police and the DeKalb County Special Operations Team, authorities said.

The DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office successfully petitioned to have Lange denied release pending trial. He remains in custody at the DeKalb County Jail as of Wednesday.

Court records show he has multiple previous felony convictions in DeKalb County.

On Aug. 4, 2017, Lange pleaded guilty to felony forgery, records show. He also pleaded guilty in 2017 to felony possession of a controlled substance and was ordered to participate in the county’s drug treatment rehabilitation program, records show. On Jan. 16, 2025, he pleaded guilty to retail theft over $300 and was sentenced to 24 months of conditional discharge.

Authorities with Maple Park, Kane County, Sycamore, Cortland, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s and State’s Attorney’s offices assisted in the investigation.

Abby Parks marked what was dubbed Clayton Parks Day on Feb. 26, named in her husband’s memory.

She mobilized family members and friends to refill two Aurora-area community fridges with food, according to a news release.

Fridge project spokesman David Cannon said Abby Parks and other volunteers filled fridges that are placed outside at Fresh Start City Church, 10 S. Lancaster Ave. and at Jo-Ana’s Salon, 374 High St.

“We are deeply grateful for this beautiful act of remembrance and generosity,” Cannon said. “We invite everyone to be part of this ongoing effort, either with food or funds or labor.”

The community fridges are outdoor refrigerators and pantries, accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, that offer free food to anyone in need – no questions asked, Cannon said in the release.

Cannon said the motto is: Give what you can, take what you need.

Clayton Parks, 32, a 2014 NIU grad from Elgin, was fatally shot by a Henry Pratt employee while at work on Feb. 15, 2019. Clayton was the plant’s HR manager.

Clayton, NIU senior 21-year-old Trevor Wehner of Sheridan, and three of their coworkers – Russell Beyer of Yorkville, Vicente Juarez of Oswego and Josh Pinkard of Aurora – were killed in the shooting.

Wehner was on his first day of an internship at the plant. He’d expected to graduate that spring.

Five Aurora police officers also were wounded in the shooting.

Clayton Parks was remembered as a family man, an avid Chicago sports fan and someone whose smile and laugh “were contagious,” according to his obituary. His son was a baby at the time of Clayton’s death.

Wehner’s loved ones remembered him for his love of baseball and games like Magic, League of Legends and World of Warcraft, according to his obituary. “He never met a stranger,” and had a smile “that would light up the room,” loved ones wrote.

Pinkard was also remembered for his love of family and as a father and husband. Loved ones mentioned his leadership skills, and “infectious laugh,” writing in his obituary that “there was no person he met whose life he didn’t touch.”

Beyer worked at Henry Pratt Co. for more than 25 years and was a union shop chairman, according to his obituary. A father and husband, he was remembered as “a fun, love gentle giant of a guy, who was friends with everyone.”

Juarez was a forklift operator at Henry Pratt Co., had a passion for working on cars with his sons, and was married to the love of his life of 38 years, according to his obituary. He was “a hardworking, responsible and loving husband, father and grandfather.”

Jennifer L. Rogers, 54, was found lying in a field near a crashed car nearby the intersection of Somonauk and McGirr roads about 4:07 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and paramedics with the Hinckley Fire Protection District attempted to give her emergency aid but she succumbed to her injuries, authorities said.

First responders were initially called to the area for a single-vehicle crash involving a silver 2008 Honda.

The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office.

The City Council voted unanimously to approve reallocating $47,500 in COVID-19 federal funding to eight agencies, documents show. Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson and 3rd Ward Alderman Tracy Smith were absent.

Money was distributed as follows:

The remaining amount of the residual pandemic-era funds, $16,240, went to support the city’s Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program for income-qualifying residents in need of critical home repairs, documents show.

Many of the agencies selected for grants were chosen because they’ve faced reductions in state and federal funding, city staff said.

The city’s money is meant to provide immediate relief to residents.

The funding is distributed from the city’s Community Development Block Grant, which comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A proposed $2,500 to FLAP was removed before the vote, City Manager Bill Nicklas said.

The federal dollars distribution came on top of a record amount of local money earmarked for area social service nonprofits, which the Council approved earlier this year. The more than $300,000 came from the city’s general fund, part of an ongoing effort by elected officials to prioritize programs that support residents in need.

Cub Scout leader George Jaros was joined by 10 of the pack’s members.

The scout pack’s visit was followed by another presentation by city officials marking the continuation of the city’s America 250 DeKalb initiative, meant to help celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year.

The city has held what it’s calling a “Pause for Patriotism” during council meetings so far this year.

Monday’s Council meeting fell on the 81st anniversary of an iconic wartime photograph captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Feb. 23, 1945.

Rosenthal won the Pulitzer Prize after he captured six members of the U.S. Marine Corps 5th Division raising the American flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima on Mount Suribachi.

This story was updated to correct an earlier headline that mistitled the name of the Scouts organization.