In a 5-3 split vote at a recent public meeting, the DeKalb City Council threw its initial support behind a proposal calling for changes to historically citizen-led groups to help support and encourage membership. A final vote is expected at Monday’s council meeting.

Among those dissenting during the first-round vote were 1st Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic, and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker.

Officials have said that setting meeting agendas and establishing a quorum have been at issue for some panels, prompting the desire to make changes.

Three existing panels – the Human Relations Commission, Economic Development Commission, and Landmark Commission – do not meet regularly and have no active members.

Five existing panels – the Citizen Police Review Board, Airport Advisory Board, Building Code Review Board, Citizens’ Environmental Commission, Finance Advisory Committee, and Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission – are not required by state statute but regularly meet on a defined schedule.

Other panels, such as the Police Pension Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Fire Pension Board, DeKalb Public Library Board, and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, are required to meet by state statute.

Other city groups are required to remain as is under the law: The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Public Library Board, Fire Pension Board, Police Pension Board, and Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mayor Cohen Barnes, acknowledging that panels such as the Human Relations Commission haven’t been meeting, said he supports what’s been proposed to the council.

Some former HRC members publicly criticized the mayor in 2024 for not reappointing individuals to city panels.

“This is a great opportunity to get this commission back up and running with organizations,” Barnes said.

For the city’s Human Relations Commission, it means defining the panel’s membership using core social service agencies in town. City staff have proposed examples such as representatives from Safe Passage, Hope Haven, Family Service Agency, RAMP, and Elder Care Services.

Another proposed change would mean the Citizen Police Review Board could meet on an as-needed basis instead of having six set meetings per year.

The same is proposed for the city’s Landmark Commission, the Citizens’ Environmental Commission and Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission.

No further changes to the Economic Development Commission are proposed, as council action was taken in 2022, indicating that meetings may be called by the mayor on an as-needed basis.

Fourth Ward Alderman Justin Carlson said he’s pleased by what’s proposed to the council for further consideration.

Carlson used to serve on the city’s Citizen Police Review Board.

“I’m in contact now with some of the Citizens Police Review Board just to see how they’re doing,” Carlson said. “And it’s the same thing. They’re having issues with quorum. So, I see this as something good.”

Officials have said the proposal before the council offers a way to get some panels to resume meeting.

But Verbic said he doesn’t believe an amendment is necessary to serve on the Human Relations Commission.

During the most recent council meeting, several appointments were made to the Citizens’ Environmental Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission.

“And [it’s] no different than the members we appointed this evening,” Verbic said. “Mayor and council made an outstanding job of reviewing those applicants for the committees. And I have every confidence the mayor and council would choose for the Human Relations Commission, in particular, would choose those people who would lead to your point about not just a resident but someone that really wants to put forth an effort.”

Walker pointed to himself, Powell, and Carlson, who have all served on city panels before serving on the City Council, and credited those experiences for getting them to where they are.

“I think when you put citizens in a position that love it and strive, they can be here one day,” Walker said. “I think the three of us have proven that. ... How do we know people that really want to love and be here one day?”

It’s not uncommon for local government meetings to be attended by few, if any, members of the public.

Showing up to share their concerns with city leaders during the public comment section of the council meeting were DeKalb residents Amy Doll and Megan Wheless.

Doll, a former DeKalb Park District executive director, said she views the proposal as counterproductive to the city’s efforts to embrace diversity.

“In the nearly 12 years that I lived in DeKalb, I can say that we are making progress towards being a city that embraces diversity, but we’re not done yet,” Doll said. “And now, it’s not the time to take a step backwards. Now is the time to lean in and make an effort to engage with our community. I believe that democracy is very messy, but it is worth it.”

Wheless said she believes the city’s Human Relations Commission should include both residents and others from social service agencies.

“This amendment limits the scope and purpose of the commission and does not effectively reflect the diversity of DeKalb’s residents,” Wheless said. “Also is a conflict of interest when the same nonprofit staff have to come in front of City Council and ask for funding from grants. I know this because I’m the executive director of the Literacy Connection in Elgin. And like most local nonprofits, our resources are limited, and the staff’s energy is focused on the agency’s mission.”

“We’re not looking to go backwards, we’re looking to try to make our commissions and boards more lively, more invested,” Nicklas said in response.

City Attorney Matt Rose disputed any potential conflicts of interest.

“It’s not a prohibited conflict of interest,” Rose said. “The Human Relations [Commission] is being formed with the intent to be a policy advisory body, so that they can’t take what’s called a final action on anything. That can only be done by the City Council.”

Zasada said she takes issue with the idea of the city’s Human Relations Commission leaning exclusively into representatives from social service agencies.

“It’s nice to have professionals in roles, but I think that most of our commissions are highly professional and we even go through the process of collecting resumes,” Zasada said.

Walker and Verbic said they would like residents to remain involved in the city’s Human Relations Commission.

“I do understand what you’re saying about these organizations because they are on the front line ... but there are regular citizens that are on the front lines, as well,” Walker said.

“I do believe the Human Relations Commission needs to be those residents that want to make a difference and become ... the ones closest to the issues,” Verbic said.

Zasada acknowledged it can be difficult to establish a quorum at times, but said she believes calling fewer meetings may not resolve the issue.

“But I do think that there needs to be some established in advance at the beginning of the year, meetings planned for, so that the community can plan to attend them,” Zasada said.

Barnes said he’s not opposed to future changes if not be.

“If we want to modify it, we don’t think it’s working, we’ll bring it back,” Barnes said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Andre Powell said he views what’s been proposed as something positive to build on.

Powell used to serve on both the city’s Citizen Police Review Board and Human Relations Commission.

“I don’t think this is the end of the HRC,” Powell said.

A draft of the city’s proposed ordinance indicates that the chair may call meetings. It also eliminates the mandatory minimum number of meetings.

Rose said it allows city panels to exercise freedom.

“It actually empowers the commissions because it says that they can meet as often as they choose to regularly,” Rose said.

In response, both officials for DeKalb School District 428 and authorities for the DeKalb Police Department are urging students and their families to use caution as the end of the school year approaches.

DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd said he is not privy to the game being played in DeKalb schools.

“They haven’t seen a spike in those type of games being played yet,” Byrd said. “Sure, they will come.”

What’s known as the “senior assassin” game is a combination of tag and a water gun fight among graduating students.

Some law enforcement agencies from across the nation have taken to social media in recent weeks to get out the word about a “senior assassin game” and the dangers it may pose to public safety. Law enforcement officials said that’s because the public could mistake a water gun for a weapon, and panic could follow.

Byrd said the game may present its share of challenges to public safety.

“Because a lot of these water guns ... those are replicas and they look pretty close to being what you consider a real, authentic firearm,” Byrd said.

Other agencies have taken to social media to clarify how the teenagers can still have fun while informing the public about the game. ABC News posted a TikTok video with a police officer explaining the rules.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office posted about a “senior water wars” game that students were likely to partake in on April 7. The Sycamore Police Department shared the message.

“We’re not trying to stop the fun,” the sheriff’s office posted. “We want everyone to be safe. Things can go wrong very quickly, so think before you act. And be respectful of others around you.”

But there have been no reported incidents in DeKalb schools of students apparently participating. DeKalb High School Principal Donna Larson said it would not be taken lightly, however.

“At DeKalb High School, we take very serious precautions when we find out different TikTok or Instagram trends,” Larson said.

Larson said offenders would face consequences in accordance with the district’s code of conduct.

She said it all “depends on, obviously, any situation” and how they’re playing it.

The district does not endorse the game, Larson said.

“That’s why we’re like, ‘Don’t engage in it,’” Larson said. “This can ruin the rest of your high school career. Don’t do it.”

The last day of school for students in DeKalb schools is May 22.

Plans for a new standalone building serving preschool students ages 3 to 5 have been identified by the district as a priority.

The ELDC program is currently housed in 10 classrooms at Huntley Middle School.

Officials have said they need more space to better serve the community’s needs and expand child care options in DeKalb County.

Board President Chris Boyes said district staff have been debating the idea of scaling back the project.

“I still have very big concerns about us doing a 20-room building over 24,” Boyes said Tuesday. “We, as a board, approved 24.”

This past fall, the DeKalb School District 428 board approved a measure that essentially spells out how the district intends to build a new ELDC with up to 24 classrooms.

At an April 7 board meeting, however, some officials questioned whether they needed to make an amendment to revise how many classrooms may be built. Around that time, district staff was weighing the idea of scaling back the project over staffing concerns to include space for 20 classrooms instead of 24.

Boyes said he has concerns about constructing a smaller building.

“It is not the board or students’ problem for us to staff it,” Boyes said. “That is the administration’s job to fill those rooms, so we can take care of the number of students that are on that wait list. As I mentioned before, we didn’t build the high school big enough. We didn’t build Mitchell big enough.”

Kyle Gerdes said the challenge remains an ever-growing student population.

“I’m just going to be honest, I’ve been in this job five years, and I don’t think I would have predicted some of the growth that we’ve seen over those five years, either, in certain pockets,” Gerdes said. “What we are meaning to do is design something that’s going to meet our needs as we protect them now.”

The projected cost of the ELDC build could rise by $3.75 million, up from $38 million, district documents show. A final vote hasn’t yet been taken.

Officials said the added costs would come from fund balance and funding earmarked in the district’s share of revenue from the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone.

Board Member Mark Charvat said he’s uncomfortable with how the district is approaching how to pay for the new build.

“There’s a chance that if we did add this extra money, it’d take away from our Vision For28,” Charvat said.

Vision For28 is a larger district initiative aimed at reducing middle school class sizes and embarking on facility improvements to ensure buildings are better able to serve students’ needs. It, too, relies on revenue generated from the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone.

Tammy Carson, the district’s director of facility safety and operations, said the time is now for board consideration.

“This is not a quick 10-week summer project,” Carson said. “This is going to be a significant disruption to the students, the staff, the families.”

Incoming Superintendent Billy Hueramo said the district needs to be mindful going forward about its maximum abatement and underlevying practices.

“That’s going to be something that we’re going to have to think about as a school board,” Hueramo said.

The district said its goal is to open up a new ELDC by the fall 2028, without interrupting summer school programming.

Carson said a delayed opening could be a possibility.

A board vote, along with more discussion on this topic, is expected at a special meeting on April 29.

Winters is an intern at Elder Care Services, where a majority of her duties involve desk work. When she heard they were hosting a community tree planting and help was needed, Winters said she was all in for it.

“I was in the office and wanted to help out because I like being outside,” Winters said, noting how nice a day it was shaping up to be.

Winters was among a group of volunteers on Tuesday in DeKalb, lending a hand to plant trees.

It was the first in a budding series of DeKalb Township community tree plantings, which saw dozens turn out to show their support for the newly established garden outside Elder Care Services. The planting was held a day before Earth Day, which is Wednesday.

The trees, which came at no cost to recipients, were made possible due to the “250 Trees for Tomorrow” initiative, a special arrangement between DeKalb Township and the Morton Arboretum and its Chicago Region Trees Initiative.

DeKalb Township Supervisor Mary Hess said the township’s goal is to plant 250 trees in line with its mission.

“Preserving our environment is important to all of us,” Hess said. “And this is one way that we can do it on a larger level.”

Winters said she was enjoying her time planting trees.

“It’s just fun getting to be outside and interact with some of the people that I intern with,” Winters said.

DeKalb Township put out calls for help from volunteers in the community in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s event. The community’s response was meaningful, Hess said.

“We’re doing this in celebration of our nation’s 250th,” Hess said. “It’s rewarding to see the sense of community that comes together when we’re doing things to try to improve our community. The response to our tree initiative has been overwhelming. We’re happy that we can give back something to the community for such a momentous occasion.”

During the township event, 10 to 15 trees were expected to find a home in a newly established garden outside Elder Care Services.

As a resident of nearby Sycamore, Winters said she strives to be involved in the community.

“I try to be in any way that I can,” Winters said. “If opportunity presents itself, I definitely will.”

Winters said there was a lot to take away from the experts at Morton Arboretum about how to plant trees.

“I never planted a tree before,” she said.

Dazlee Watson said she was glad to have a change of pace and get outside for the day.

Watson is a recent graduate of Northern Illinois University who works for Elder Care Services.

“It’s a learning experience, and it gets me away from typing,” Watson said.

Another community tree planting is expected to occur sometime in the fall.

If Tuesday’s event turnout had anything to say about the state of the nation, Winters said it’s all about people coming together with a shared purpose.

“I feel like it definitely shows that anybody can come together and do something that’s important,” Winters said.

Hess shared that sentiment.

“I think that it’s always a good sign when we work together,” Hess said. “There’s a lot of division in our country. So, it’s heartwarming to see that we can all come together for a common purpose that lends to improved quality of life in our community through environmental sustainability. This is the character of DeKalb.”

Township officials intend to make an appointment to fill the vacancy at their May 19 board meeting.

The vacancy was created this past winter when Clerk Joan Watson-Protano announced her resignation from the board due to a change in residency outside the township’s boundaries, according to a release.

If selected, an appointee to the position will serve out the remainder of a term set to expire in May 2029.

There are two requirements to serve as a clerk: be a legal voter and be a resident of DeKalb Township for at least one year, according to a release.

A description of what the position entails is posted to the township’s website and available upon request.

Anyone interested in serving as a clerk is encouraged to submit a letter of interest no later than May 1, according to a release.

It is all part of the DeKalb Park District’s proposed master plan, meant to help guide staff and elected officials with decision-making. The park board has not yet voted on it.

District staff enlisted the planning and design practice, Hitchcock Design Group, to help prepare its master plan update a little more than a year ago.

In it, the district outlines future plans for DeKalb’s Sports and Recreation Center and Haish Gym, two of the district’s larger projects. No official timeline is set as of Friday.

In remarks to the park board, Executive Director Paul Zepezauer said plans for these two projects are not firm.

“This is just the first step in a very long process where we’re talking about projects at this scale,” Zepezauer said. “We’re still working through feasibility studies. Those would come to you first.”

The district also proposes that indoor space needs be prioritized, as part of the drafted master plan.

Bridget Deatrick, senior associate for Hitchcock Design Group, said a timeline is beginning to form for a potential expansion to the Sports and Recreation Center.

“With the idea that as soon as the end of 2027, an expansion to the Sports and Rec Center could be advanced, that would then help address some of your indoor capacity needs, taking some strain off the Haish gymnasium and be of community interest for things, like indoor walking tracks, larger gymnasium, expanded field turf, and upgraded fitness center,” Deatrick said.

The district’s proposed master plan also calls for the decommissioning of Haish Gym.

Deatrick said the facility may no longer be used in the future the way it’s used today.

“The gymnasium has some operational challenges, making a plan for how that facility can be addressed early, so that you are prepared to respond to those, is ongoing,” she said.

The park board is expected to review its master plan update further next month and put it to a vote in June.

Also at the meeting, the park board was briefed on the ongoing work to get Hopkins Park Pool back online.

The outdoor pool facility has been closed for improvements the past two summers.

Officials have said Hopkins Park Pool is undergoing roughly $14 million in upgrades. An inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health needs to pass before the outdoor pool facility may reopen to the public.

John Williston Cook was born April 20, 1844, and is widely recognized as the first president to serve what is now known as Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He resided in the home in the early 1900s.

Owners Rob and Linda Srygler took ownership of the historic Cook Mansion about three years ago. The couple has since attained recognition from the National Register of Historic Places for their home. A historical marker denoting the home’s status was installed outside in fall 2025.

Every year around this time, the Sryglers open the doors to their home to celebrate the legacy of Cook.

With light refreshments over bits of conversation, the open house had all the makings for a full house. On Saturday, the Sryglers were visited by a host of family, friends, and other guests.

Rob Srygler said he’s glad to have his home recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

“It gives the house a little more visibility,” Rob Srygler said.

The single-family residence at 411 College Ave. has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, an unfinished attic and a partially finished basement spread out over a double lot with two buildings spanning about 4,000 square feet.

The Sryglers bought the late 19th-century classical revival architectural style building in November 2022 for $375,000, according to a sales listing report for DeKalb County. Some improvements have since been completed, including waterproofing and a paint job.

Linda Srygler said they are grateful they made the investments.

She said preserving the historic nature of the home is a “top priority” for her and her husband.

Nestled in the Ellwood Historic Neighborhood, the Srygler’s home is surrounded by a mix of residential properties that are occupied by renters and homeowners.

Linda Srygler said she’s enamored by the makeup of the neighborhood.

“It’s not always students, it’s young families, as well,” Linda Srygler said. “It’s lovely for me as someone who works at the university for nearly 30 years. I can walk right down the street and get into work. ... I love the [eclecticism] of the neighborhood because there’s very different styles.”

The Sryglers underwent an extensive process to get their home listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

When asked if his interest in genealogy helped prepare him to act as a steward of the mansion, Rob Srygler said it had.

“I got hooked on it years ago and built a really big family tree,” Rob Srygler said. “That kind of got me into ... digging in holes, starting to connect the dots and finding those old resources that could be lost.”

Linda Srygler said area historical groups, such as the Ellwood House Museum and J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center, are supportive of them and their efforts to preserve the home.

Linda Srygler is a member of the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Board of Directors.

“They’re so excited and happy [about] the level of work that we’re putting into this,” Linda Srygler said.

Also during the open house, guests were treated to slices of cake in celebration of Cook’s birthday. The cake featured a 1916 cartoon from NIU’s student newspaper.

Cook was widely regarded for opening up his house to students to drop in and have tea.

The Sryglers said they hoped to mirror Cook’s hospitality in that regard by hosting these open houses annually.

Linda Srygler said their house often makes for a good conversation starter with neighbors and passersby.

“They always stop to talk,” Linda Srygler said.

Rob Srygler echoed that sentiment.

“I think most people don’t know the history of it,” Rob Srygler said. “They don’t know about President Cook, so we like to share that.”

In a recent update to the board, leaders from DeKalb School District 428 reviewed where plans stand for the new build.

Officials have said the current configuration of the ELDC building, which houses the district’s preschool, is not conducive to meeting the demand levels.

Kyle Gerdes, the district’s director of student services, said he believes the new build will be a draw for area families.

“If we’re going to be investing this much in a brand-new ELDC building, I think we want to make sure that if we build it, they will come,” Gerdes said.

The School Board is expected to consider a $3.75 million budget increase for construction costs at Tuesday’s meeting.

The district’s plans for building a new, standalone Early Development Center were originally approved by the board in November 2025 with a roughly $38 million price tag.

Earlier on in the board’s discussion on this topic, officials approved a measure that spelled out how the new build would contain space for up to 24 classrooms.

The scope of the project has since been changed to incorporate dedicated space for sensory rooms and three gross motor areas instead of one, district documents show.

Gerdes said he doesn’t want the Board to get stuck on the number of classrooms designated for the project.

“We got to look at this as how much square footage do we need in order to be able to instruct the way that we know we need to, either per grant requirements, best practice,” Gerdes said.

Programming currently serves 365 students and is contained in 10 classrooms at Huntley Middle School. In a new standalone facility, the program would serve roughly 600 students. The center welcomes children ages 3 to 5.

Officials have said they are working to have a new, standalone ELDC constructed and ready to serve students by fall 2028.

District said they are earmarking $26 million in revenue generated from the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone to help make the project a reality.

The district is relying on an additional $17 million in future funding, which officials said will be gained in November.

Officials also said they are considering grants from the state’s Preschool For All and Preschool For All Expansion programs, which have specific space and staffing requirements the district must follow to qualify for aid.

A consensus was reached by the Board at a recent meeting to amend the district’s funding ask to help build a new center.

If approved, the ELDC will benefit from a 6,000 net increase in square footage, bringing the new center to 60,055 square feet for a total cost of $41.78 million.

Construction on the new building is anticipated to being in spring 2027.

The DeKalb resident, who is a mother of 11 children, said it’s clear that there is a need in the community for what she is proposing.

“We just really need something to do,” she said.

Dixon approached the City Council this week to make a pitch, asking for its support and approval. She’s also launched a GoFundMe campaign, hoping to raise money to help make the idea a reality.

In response, Mayor Cohen Barnes directed Dixon to the DeKalb Park District for the next steps.

Such proposals are nothing new to officials in the DeKalb city government.

“This is a topic that comes up quite often,” Barnes said.

DeKalb used to have an indoor skating rink.

The mayor said he’d love to see a skating rink in town.

As a DeKalb resident for the past 8 years, Dixon said she sees a lot of value in what a skating rink would mean to the city.

“DeKalb is a beautiful, growing community,” Dixon said. “However, one gap I have observed is the limited ... [availability of] recreational spaces for our youth and families, especially in the evenings and on the weekends. When those options are limited, families are left searching for positive alternatives.”

This is where the idea of “Sunshine on Wheels,” a new indoor skating rink, moves into the frame. But there’s more to the concept. Dixon also wants the venue to feature space for an arcade, laser tag, a mini bar and other entertainment amenities.

Dixon is proposing a way to establish such a concept in town by 2027.

Dixon said she’s already identified two vacant spots along Sycamore Road that she’d like to consider setting up shop.

No lease agreement has been secured.

To date, a GoFundMe campaign set up to raise funds for the proposed new skating rink in DeKalb has amassed $120.

Dixon is still early on in raising the money to help make it happen.

“I’ve been dreaming about it,” Dixon said. “My dreams are really vivid. Sunshine on Wheels, it’s a dream.”

Officials said they are making progress on a new outdoor pool facility, a significant construction project that will continue into a third summer.

The nearly 100-year-old Hopkins Park Pool has faced its share of challenges, with updated design standards, state permitting requirements, and, most recently, weather-related delays, according to a news release from the park district. The pool, previously Hopkins Pool, also was renamed to Hopkins Park Pool.

At the same time, officials said they remain committed to opening the pool as soon as possible. A late-summer start is the goal, the district said Friday.

In a news release, Park District Executive Director Paul Zepezauer acknowledged the complexity of the project, including developing construction documents, bidding and awarding contracts for the project.

“While certain phases were completed concurrently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) permitting process alone required approximately 10 months,” Zepezauer said in a release. “Without the IDPH permit, there could be no underground excavating for any of the pool foundation. This timeline made favorable winter and spring weather especially important; however, we experienced eight weeks of deep frost beginning in January, followed by a notably wet spring.”

The improvements to Hopkins Park Pool were originally approved by the park board in September 2024. The outdoor pool facility has been closed for the past two summers as work continues.

Zepezauer expressed some optimism about the pool’s new reopening timeline.

“We are hopeful that favorable conditions in the coming months will allow us to recover some lost time and maximize the number of operating days this season,” he said in a release. “If weather and staffing conditions permit, we may also consider extending the pool’s operating season beyond its typical schedule.”

At a City Council meeting this week, city leaders took a step forward in their plans to push for a train service, entering into a consulting agreement with TY Lin International Great Lakes, Inc. DeKalb city officials have long pursued ways to push for an expanded Metra service or commuter rail that could connect the city to Chicago.

TY Lin International Great Lakes has been tasked with conducting a Planning and Environmental Leakages Study for the Union Pacific rail corridor between Elburn and DeKalb.

Mayor Cohen Barnes said he’s excited about the progress being made.

“It’s moving forward like a locomotive, really slow at first,” Barnes said, joking.

The city previously had another study conducted in 2023 to determine the feasibility of bringing a commuter rail service to DeKalb. In it, the city identified potential opportunities in the 1,257% increase in growth noted in its bus ridership from 2019 to 2025, servicing commuters between DeKalb and Elburn, according to city documents. City staff said those annual bus ridership levels in 2019 amounted to a little more than 3,100 and in 2025 rose to about 43,000.

The new rail study is intended to address rail safety, environmental and community impacts, intermodal connectivity, economic feasibility, and coordination with regional plans, according to city documents.

With council approval this week, the city can begin future National Environmental Policy Act processes and position itself for potential Federal Transit Administration grant opportunities.

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith urged the council for its support.

Smith, a retired DeKalb police officer who works for Voluntary Action Center, a regional transportation provider for the elderly and people with disabilities, when he’s not serving out his role as an alderman.

“This is huge that we’ve got [Illinois Department of Transportation] on board,” Smith said. “[As] someone who lives in this world, this is critical.”

For years, there has been talk at City Council meetings about the idea of bringing a commuter rail to town.

At this week’s council meeting, city leaders voted to authorize a consulting agreement with TY Lin International Great Lakes to help move along plans for such a service.

That firm was selected from a pool of three for council consideration after having amassed the highest ranking score based on experience, technical approach, responsiveness, schedule, and cost, city documents show.

The city intends to rely on an IDOT transit planning grant in the amount of $400,000 to make it happen, city documents show. DeKalb will also be responsible for contributing $100,000 in matching local funds.

Fourth Ward Alderman Justin Carlson expressed his support for the project.

“Like Alderman Smith said, working with IDOT half of my life, you don’t wait while it’s hot,” Carlson said. “If the money’s out there, then you have to get it going. If not, you will be left.”

DeKalb residents Ash Rootes and Natalie Carrillo have teamed up to rally in aid of the owner of Class VI wine bar, Tom Sherman and his family.

In a recent social media post Sherman said he and his wife could use the community’s help.

“On Easter, we discovered that my wife has a brain tumor,” Sherman wrote. “She had surgery and they were able to remove the most aggressive part of it, but there is still more on her brain stem that they are not able to remove. She will be getting chemo and radiation to finish off that part.”

Sherman made a plea to the community for its support.

“I am not looking for charity, I am looking for your business,” Sherman wrote. “Labor costs are going to go up as I lean on my outstanding staff to cover for me while I spend the bulk of my time at the hospital. If you could find it in yourselves to swing by and purchase a bottle of wine, I would really appreciate it.”

In response, Rootes and Carrillo are staging what they call a “Community Support Day” to benefit the wine bar. The event is open to all and will take place from noon to midnight April 18 at Class VI, 214 E. Lincoln Highway.

Sherman did not comment, deferring all questions to Rootes and Carrillo.

Carrillo said she’s excited to show her support for the owner of the wine bar.

“My husband and I, for date night, enjoy the cocktails,” Carrillo said. “He’s a good mixologist.”

Being a regular patron of the wine bar and former business owner herself, Carrillo grew inspired to help the owner a short time after seeing his social media post asking the community for help.

“It really resonated with me,” Carrillo said. “It was simple just asking for community support through his business.”

In the past, Class VI has shown a commitment to supporting area nonprofit organizations and charities with giveback events where a portion of any sales goes to support local causes.

Carrillo said she hopes people in the community show their support for the wine bar.

“I really believe it’s important to care about causes, even if they don’t directly affect you,” Carrillo said.

Carrillo said they’re hoping for a strong turnout at Class VI this Saturday.

“We would like a lot of memberships that day,” she said. “Roughly 200 would be great. I really enjoy his wine memberships. It’s two bottles, and then you also get to enjoy his wine tasting, and he gets to pick the bottles out for you.”

Rootes said she hopes it’s bottom-up for many this Saturday at Class VI.

“We don’t want them to have a single drip of wine left,” Rootes said.

Carrillo stressed the importance of supporting local.

“Sometimes people complain that there aren’t things to do in DeKalb,” she said. “This is such a unique and cool concept. I would love for it to stay.”

Rootes echoed that sentiment.

“We, as a community, need to support small businesses so that we can keep them in our downtown area, in our community,” Rootes said. “This is a great way to support a business.”

Under a proposed Entertainment District, participating businesses of the city’s Central Business District would pilot a program in which patrons may carry a single alcoholic beverage in a city-approved, branded cup.

The concept, if approved by the council, aims to provide a fun, safe way to encourage more pedestrians to walk downtown in the late afternoon and evening, combining dining and entertainment venues, according to the city.

Seventh Ward Alderman John Walker said he sees a need for an Entertainment District.

“People in my ward are telling me ‘We need something to do downtown,’” Walker said.

Piloting such a program is nothing new in northern Illinois.

Other communities adopting such measures include Chicago, Rockford, Utica, and more.

Mayor Cohen Barnes expressed his support for the program and what it would offer.

“What I’m probably most excited about is our downtown merchants being able to create new events and new things that they want to do,” Barnes said. “This is going to help facilitate.”

City staff said a proposed entertainment district in DeKalb may include about a dozen participating businesses.

Any establishment with a liquor license opting in would have city-issued stickers or displays to indicate their program participation, city documents show. Adults age 21 or older would also be required to wear a wristband to show they have been carded and purchased a drink.

Any business found not adhering to the city’s rules may face penalties under the existing liquor license regulations, city documents show.

Non-licensed businesses within the Entertainment District may choose whether to welcome these customers onto their premises with the understanding that drinks are sold and served elsewhere in the district, city documents show. Participation is not mandatory for all establishments in the downtown.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic said he wanted to know how the proposed district may impact the city’s police department from an enforcement perspective.

“We’ve had recent discussions about the concerns of people gathering in our parking lots downtown,” Verbic said. “I could see this somewhat encouraging that practice.”

In response, City Manager Bill Nicklas emphasized the police department’s commitment to community policing.

“Chief and I have talked about this,” Nicklas said. “This is a challenge. ... We’ll have to have people who are in downtown, some of our officers.”

The program is intended to run from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A last call for drinks may be implemented at 9:30 p.m.

Alcohol in non-city-approved bottles, cans, and glass containers would not be allowed and is restricted outside of the proposed Entertainment District.

The district’s boundaries would be contained on the west by the east curbline of North First Street; on the north by the south curbline of East Locust Street; on the east by the west curbline of North Fourth Street; and on the south by the Union Pacific right-of-way, city documents show.

Also included as a proposed cutout is the northeast corner of North Fourth Street and East Locust Street to include The Grove Tavern, 204 N. Fourth St.

Barnes said he likes the idea of removing this barrier for downtown area businesses and special events.

“With some of the events that we already have going on, this just allows a little more freedom for those kind of things that naturally happen,” Barnes said.

A vote on the program is expected at a future date.

If approved, an ordinance outlining an Entertainment District would include a Dec. 31 sunset date. In doing so, the City Council can decide whether to renew or extend the program.

On Feb. 16, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the state’s first measles case of 2026, linked to a church in Collinsville where possible exposure may have happened on Feb. 8. On March 12, the first 2026 case of confirmed measles was announced by health officials in DeKalb County, tracked possibly to exposure at a local Walmart and post office.

On March 31, the Cook County Health Department warned of possible measles exposure at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and two locations in Niles, including a Fresh Farms grocer and a Marshalls.

Cook County health officials said they’d tracked the possible exposures to a person who’d been contagious with measles at the time. That person also visited the Endeavour Health Immediate Care Center in Mt. Prospect days earlier.

Contact tracing isn’t new. It was prominently used during the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the early days, as little was yet known about how the virus spread.

“We’ve been actively doing contact tracing, and at this time, there are no specific issues to report,” DeKalb County Health Department administrator Lisa Gonzalez said.

The last time DeKalb County reported a measles case was 2019, according to the county’s health department. Countrywide in 2025, the U.S. marked its worst year for measles in more than three decades, The Associated Press reported. The IDPH reported 14 cases in Illinois in 2025.

Although falling vaccination rates nationwide have concerned health officials, in Illinois, vaccination rates for measles are at the threshold recommended for preventing outbreaks.

The best way to prevent measles infection is to get vaccinated, health experts said. The MMR vaccine – for measles, mumps, and rubella – is commonly given to children over the age of 1.

“Because once you are exposed and unvaccinated, obviously, it’s too late for the vaccine,” Gonzalez said. “So, know your vaccine status, make sure that you are aware of if you’re up-to-date on your vaccine, and then if you’re not and you are potentially exposed, then you would monitor for those symptoms.”

The IDPH tracks vaccination rates based on school data. That data shows that more than 95% of Illinois students have been vaccinated for measles. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 95% of the population with both doses of the measles vaccine is effective in preventing outbreaks.

“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily from person to person through the air,” Gonzalez said.

As with many viruses, getting measles can cause complications that can lead to more serious health risks.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. will be hospitalized when they get measles. 1 child in every 20 with measles will also get pneumonia, which can lead to death. About 1 child in every 1,000 with measles will also develop encephelitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with an intellectual disability. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurological complications.

If you’re pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause premature birth or the baby to be of low birth weight.

Measles outbreaks tend to occur in areas with low vaccination coverage. Common settings included crowded, enclosed spaces, such as schools, daycare centers, public transport, and healthcare facilities, according to the La Salle County Health Department.

According to the American Medical Association, “measles is one of the most contagious diseases and is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets and also via airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.”

“They’re looking for some specific symptoms,” Gonzalez said. “Usually, the symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, but then it’s typically followed by a distinct rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.”

Other symptoms to watch for: Fever of 101F or higher, cough, runny nose, rash that can be red and blotchy that starts at the hairline and moves toward the face, spreading downward. Measles starts with cold-like symptoms but includes a rash usually. While flu symptoms can be similar, people with the flu usually don’t develop a rash, and flu symptoms tend to be sudden and of abrupt onset, according to the La Salle County Health Department.

Someone with measles is contagious from four days before the onset date of the rash through the end of the fourth day after the onset of the rash (the onset date of the rash is called “day zero”), La Salle County public health officials said.

During this time, those infected should stay home and not attend work, school, or social activities unless they are seeking medical care. If seeking medical care, patients should call ahead to the medical facility and local health department to make arrangements to minimize exposures.

Babies, older people, and those with compromised immune systems.

“We are concerned most about those who are unvaccinated,” Gonzalez said. “Measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and people who already have a weakened immune system.” Children younger than 5, adults older than 20. Infants under 12 months are particularly vulnerable as they are too young for the first MMR vaccine dose.

The best way to prevent measles is through the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, La Salle County public health experts said. Almost everyone who has not had the MMR vaccine will get sick if they are exposed to those viruses. The vaccine keeps children from missing school or childcare, and adults from missing work to care for a sick child. Vaccination also limits the size, duration, and spread of outbreaks.

The measles vaccine is routinely recommended for children at 12-15 months of age, with a second dose recommended at 4-6 years of age. One dose of the MMR vaccine is required for those 12 months and older to attend child care facilities, and two doses of MMR are required in Illinois for kindergarten through 12th-grade children.

The best course of action, Gonzalez said, is to alert health officials should anyone suspect that they have measles.

“They would definitely want to call their healthcare providers,” Gonzalez said. “We are asking people if they are symptomatic with symptoms like measles, they should call ahead before presenting to any local medical facility.”

According to the IDPH, the following are the percentages of school-aged children are immunized against measles:

In March, school officials said further discussion and consideration on the ongoing topic would come in April. District leaders have been considering class size reduction strategies for months.

At a board meeting this week, incoming Superintendent Billy Hueramo pointed to a slight change in the plan.

“After talking to various subcommittee members, our committee stakeholders, we’re still going to move forward with Vision For28, we’re just going to do it in a more deliberate and measured pace,” Hueramo said.

The district has had several subcommittees meeting in recent months to address middle school class sizes.

No subcommittee meetings are on the books for this summer, however.

The last day of classes in DeKalb schools is May 22.

At a public meeting last month, some board members expressed caution about voting to move forward with Vision For28.

A larger plan for reducing middle school class sizes was contingent on meeting an April deadline to help ensure that building renovations could be realized by fall 2028.

That plan consisted of multiple parts and renovations to several buildings, including Founders Elementary and Lincoln Elementary schools and Huntley and Clinton Rosette middle schools.

Improvements were also identified for each of these school buildings as part of Vision For28, with a majority of that work expected to take place in the summer months.

There were three scenarios with different price tags in which the district envisioned carrying out Vision For28, according to district documents. They ranged in value from as low as $6.6 million to as high as $27 million.

Officials have said the district was planning to use fund balance and revenue generated from the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone to pay for such building improvements.

Board Vice President Jose Jaques chimed in with his support of district staff and their decision.

“But just looking from a 50,000-foot view, maybe the accelerator’s down a little too fast,” Jaques said.

Jaques expressed appreciation for everyone’s efforts.

“It was an amazing amount of work done in a very short period of time,” Jaques said. “The fact that we were appreciative of just pumping the brakes a little bit says nothing about the work that was done. It was a great job by all, I think.”

What that means for Vision For28’s timeline is unclear – at least for now.

Officials have said the project could still be done, but it may cost the district more money.

Hueramo suggested there is still work to be done in the meantime.

“Right now, my task will be to work with our team to make sure we can backwards plan a new timeline and then from there, subcommittees will be reaching out to their members and begin planning again,” Hueramo said.

Hueramo stressed that the district has not withdrawn its plans.

“We want to make sure we’re fiscally responsible, and we’re doing this the right way, and not get stuck in the middle of something and not be ready for it,” Hueramo said. “The work is not stopping. We’re going to continue to work with the subcommittees.”

This story was updated at 1:04 p.m. April 13, 2026, to clarify an earlier version that implied that middle school class size reductions hinged on an April deadline. The district still plans to implement changes by 2028.

The added funding of $87,500 would come out of the district’s Title I 1003a grant, which is meant to pay for personnel expenses, such as administrative stipends, when the costs are directly tied to the planning, coordination, and implementation of school improvement work. The lone dissenting vote was Board member Mark Charvat. Board member Vanta Bynum was absent.

Such funds, officials said, would go to help certain administrators account for time completing added paperwork, participating in professional development, and spending time in additional school improvement meetings, when leaders of other school buildings may not.

On average, the district’s principals and assistant principals logged 124 additional hours of time dedicated to their building’s designation, and the deans reported working 90 additional hours, district documents show.

Charvat expressed some reservations about supporting the request for administrator stipends.

“I think we could prioritize students with this money rather than provide bonuses,” Charvat said. “The administrators, they do a fantastic job, but I would like to see the money go directly to things that affect the classroom.”

A separate vote to consider postponing the board’s decision failed for lack of a second.

The stipends are anticipated to have a direct impact on student achievement and overall school performance, school board documents show.

A property tax levy is a formula used by units of government to determine the amount of revenue the district intends to collect in property taxes residents must pay each spring.

At a recent school board meeting, officials had said they intended to consider potential revisions to the district’s 2025 property tax levy.

Armir Doka, the district’s director of business and finance, approached the board this week asking for its support.

“We would like to maintain our commitment to make sure residents and businesses pay the same tax rate as the previous year, holding the line on the district’s share of their property tax bill,” Doka said.

Officials originally voted in support of its 2025 property tax levy in the amount of $4.5 million in December 2025. At that time, the board agreed to a measure working under the assumption that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or the rate of inflation, is 2.9%. In addition, there is $272.7 million in total new construction and about $2 million in total equalized assessed valuation (EAV).

The board’s decision this week ensures that the district can maintain a tax rate of 4.83%, the same figure noted in the previous year, school board documents show.

Board action, as taken, is intended to hold the rate of residential property taxes flat to help provide taxpayers with some relief.

But it doesn’t mean taxpayers will see the same tax bill amount as last year.

Doka said the amount that a homeowner may owe in property taxes could increase. Levies also factor in a person’s home value, which the district doesn’t control.

“Because it has to take into account the appreciation of the houses,” Doka said.

Board member Mark Charvat questioned what happens if the board chooses not to revise the district’s tax levy.

“If we do not do this, their tax bills would go up even more?” Charvat said.

In December, it was projected that the average homeowner could pay about $350 more to DeKalb School District 428 in property taxes.

Had the board not taken action as it did this week, officials said that figure could be $500 more.

Board member Nick Atwood wanted it to be clear what it means for the taxpayers to have the district levy less funding than originally anticipated, making do with what the district is afforded under the state’s property tax extension law limit.

“Basically, what that means is we could take more money with a higher rate, but we’re electing not to, in part, because taxpayers have been hit pretty hard already this year,” Atwood said.

In a pair of related measures, the district unanimously revised and lower its 2025 property tax levy, which is payable by taxpayers this year. Board member Vanta Bynum was absent.

Officials said the district’s deadline to submit a revised tax levy to DeKalb County was April 8.

Charvat expressed appreciation to everyone involved in making this happen for the taxpayers.

“I appreciate the fact that the county allowed us some extra time to do this, so we can save the residents some money,” Charvat said.

Owners Teresa and Efraen Garcia, are expanding their claim to fame with a second location, this time in DeKalb and under a new name, Taco Alley on 38.

An opening date has not yet been announced, but the new spot is anticipated to open in mid-April or May.

Teresa Garcia said she and her husband have been longing for the opportunity to do business in DeKalb.

“Because we live in DeKalb and since I started with the food business, a lot of people like my food,” she said. “... It’s all about the people.”

The Garcias have been looking for a DeKalb spot since they took up the idea of running their own restaurant in 2020.

Around that time, they began renting out space in the kitchen at Jazzy’s Spot along West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

“We decided to open another place because a lot of people from DeKalb they say it’s a little far from them,” Teresa Garcia said. “... They like the food and everything, but they don’t want to drive to Malta because it’s a little far for them.”

Since then, the Garcias have operated their own restaurant in nearby Malta at 4199 Route 38.

Teresa Garcia said business has been going so well for her and her husband that they’re looking to expand.

“Everybody likes it,” Teresa Garcia said. “That’s why I decided to have my own thing.”

The Garcias are in the process of making preparations to open a second restaurant at 817 W. Lincoln Highway, Unit H, in DeKalb.

Some of the main staples from the menu at Tamales Los Girasoles are the quesadillas, tacos and tamales.

At Taco Alley on 38, customers can expect all of the same go-to dishes on the menu.

Teresa Garcia said she and her husband take great pride in running their own restaurant.

“Everything is ready for them to serve,” Teresa Garcia said.

When asked if there’s a secret to making authentic Mexican food, Teresa Garcia said it’s simple.

“I think the food tastes better when you love what you do,” she said.

The new location, which is near the Northern Illinois University campus, will include space for both indoor and outdoor dining.

“It’s close to school, so [there are] a lot of students walking around all the time,” Teresa Garcia said.

The event, in its third year, was a collaboration made possible by organizers from DeCarbon DeKalb and Northern Illinois University.

DeCarbon DeKalb co-founder Kendra Clemens described the event as a success.

“They’re loving it so far,” Clemens said. “They’re having a blast.”

Kicking off the event was a keynote address by a representative from the Post-Landfill Action Network.

At the event, there was a vendor resource fair featuring more than 50 organizations.

Attendees were also treated to their share of giveaways.

New to the event, attendees were greeted outside by the NIU Huskie Hail Hunter, an extreme weather research truck used in national climate and hail studies.

A majority of the activities were held inside Founders Memorial Library.

But some people took to Normal Road to find that food trucks had set up shop outside and were cooking up good eats.

In the lead-up to Saturday, organizers promoted the event as a free, family-friendly way to engage the public without doom and guilt, but to offer practical next steps.

Clemens said she hoped people enjoy what DeKalb County Earth Fest has to offer.

“I hope they take away a sense of hope that our community is really leading the way,” Clemens said. “There’s no reason for giving gloom. Let’s just get to work.”

Austin Coleman of DeKalb County Forest Preserve greeted passersby as they approached his booth. He said he hoped to get people to sign up for stewardships, internships and volunteer opportunities at the DeKalb County Forest Preserve.

“We’ve got a lot of signatures so far ... for people who are interested in trying out, seeing what restoration looks like,” Coleman said.

Coleman said it can be difficult to find help.

“It’s like a consistent ebb and flow with volunteers throughout the year, too, as people have life events happen, too.”

At the DeKalb County Forest Preserve, volunteers get hands-on experience in clearing brush and planting plugs.

“They are a godsend sometimes because we have ... plugs to plant,” Coleman said. “Tree plantings, as well.”

Marcy Prchal of Trogg’s Hollow, a family-owned-and-run microfarm doing regenerative farming in Poplar Grove, also manned a booth during the event.

“I’m blown away by the traffic and the community support,” Prchal said. “I love that it’s in collaboration with NIU.”

At Trogg’s Hollow, the Prchals raise pigs, chickens and ducks, and grow a variety of vegetables as part of a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that sells produce by the share to patrons on a weekly or biweekly basis. They often host events on their farm, as well as attend some of the area farmers markets.

Prchal said she’s grown excited to have community events, like DeKalb County Earth Fest, to attend.

“We had a couple [of] people buy bread,” Prchal said. “Some of them are people who are regular customers [who] will always buy more bread and say they really like it. I think they’re excited to find out that there’s a CSA that delivered. ... So, people are excited to find out that there’s a CSA that delivers locally.”

A lot of work goes into organizing the event.

Clemens expressed appreciation to everyone who made it possible.

“We spend a whole year planning it,” she said.

When asked how they ensure that the event stays relevant and current with the times, Clemens said it is taken into account.

She said they allow space to pivot “if there’s a new urgent issue that comes up” leading up to the event.

This year, the hot-button topic of concern to some is data centers and the impact that these developments are having on communities.

In response to these concerns, Clemens suggested that people get educated and show up when the decisions are being made.

“They’re driving our energy costs,” she said.

The Illinois TRUST Act is a civil immigration enforcement accountability reporting measure for local and state police agencies that affirms how law enforcement agencies are prohibited from participating in noncriminal immigration enforcement.

The Illinois VOICES Act sets procedures for Illinois law enforcement officers to support immigrants victimized by violent crime or human trafficking who help law enforcement investigate or prosecute criminal activity and who are seeking U- or T-visa certification.

Although up to date now, the DeKalb Police Department was almost a year late in filing records to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to help demonstrate the agency’s compliance with the Illinois TRUST Act and the Illinois Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors Act for calendar year 2024.

DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd said the city’s late submission was because of a staffing change.

“That at the end of the day was due to the transition of that supervisor in the records division,” Byrd said.

Byrd said the emails had probably gone to the old records supervisor’s email. He said the DeKalb Police Department’s new records supervisor wasn’t getting emails alerting officials to late notices from the attorney general.

Once DeKalb police realized it had not filed for calendar year 2024 on time, Byrd said the department rectified the matter.

The two state laws were enacted under former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2017 and 2019, respectively. It wasn’t until another related measure, dubbed the Illinois Way Forward Act, went into effect in 2021 that a mechanism was established to help ensure accountability in reporting, however.

Under the Illinois TRUST Act, the Illinois VOICES Act, and the subsequent Illinois Way Forward Act, the Illinois attorney general is tasked with collecting these submittals annually from local and state law enforcement agencies for each previous calendar year, beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31.

These documents usually come in a spreadsheet highlighting, among other things, whether an agency can certify and attest to not receiving any requests for immigration detainers or civil immigration warrants; whether they can certify and attest to not participating, supporting or assisting in any immigration agents’ civil enforcement operation; and whether they can certify and attest to not receiving any U- or T-visa certification requests.

The first of any documents submitted by local or state law enforcement authorities to help demonstrate their compliance with the law were collected by the Illinois Attorney General’s office for calendar year 2022.

Law enforcement agencies from across the state have a rolling annual deadline from Jan. 1 through March 1 to submit the required yearly documentation. Failure for local and state law enforcement authorities to submit a report or submit an incomplete report makes for a violation of state law, which could lead to an investigation or lawsuit to compel compliance.

According to public records requests through the Freedom of Information Act filed by Shaw Local, the DeKalb Police Department provided documents showing the agency had submitted documentation to the attorney general’s office for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

In separate but similar public records requests, the attorney general’s office provided documents showing DeKalb police had submitted the required documentation each year, but it was filed late in at least one instance.

In an email dated Jan. 14 between DeKalb Police Department administrative assistant Melissa Neblock and the attorney general’s office, the police department provided its annual report submittals for both calendar years 2024 and 2025. The agency’s 2024 documents were submitted nearly one year late.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office stressed the importance of law enforcement agency cooperation.

“The TRUST and VOICES Acts are vital safeguards that help ensure all Illinois residents — regardless of immigration status — can confidently and safely interact with state and local law enforcement without fear of unlawful detention or discrimination,“ according to the statement. ”By promoting cooperation between immigrant communities and local authorities, these laws strengthen public safety, encourage crime reporting, and reinforce constitutional protections for everyone in our state.”

The attorney general’s office would not confirm or comment on current or contemplated investigations into potential violations of the TRUST, VOICES, or Way Forward acts.

As of July 1, 2025, however, the attorney general’s office included the DeKalb Police Department among a list of 131 nonreporting municipal police departments for calendar year 2024. Byrd said that has since been rectified.

Neighboring law enforcement agencies for Sycamore, Genoa and Northern Illinois University police are up to date in their reporting to the attorney general’s office, records show.

A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office emphasized that reporting is all about trust.

“Collaboration between the attorney general’s office and law enforcement partners is essential to building stronger, safer communities and maintaining the public’s trust in our justice system,” according to the statement.