Some changes to citizen-led DeKalb boards, commissions and committees were greenlit this week, though one group’s proposed changes remain pending further review, officials said.

Mayor Cohen Barnes said this week that he met with some downtown DeKalb business owners to discuss a proposal that would allow patrons to drink and walk around downtown. The proposal still needs final City Council approval.

DeKalb School District 428 is among 36 Illinois school districts under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over policies related to gender identity and sexual orientation. A district spokesperson said the DOJ wrote a letter notifying the district of the probe.

DeKalb residents should expect to see a 3.5% increase in fees for the water they use, an estimated $1.55 more per month on future bills for an “average” single-family household. The increase was approved by the City Council this week, citing rising costs

A $5.3 million water main project was greenlit by the DeKalb City Council this week to aid incoming development on DeKalb’s south side, including a 560-acre Edged data center approved in December.

The projects across the 14th Congressional District, which would come under federal Community Project Funding initiative, range from protecting clean drinking water to strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities to public transit systems.

The DeKalb City Council will make a final decision on whether to implement changes to boards, commissions, and committees at the Monday, April 27, council meeting.

As graduating high school seniors plan trending games that might involve water guns, area police agencies have taken to social media to ensure the public knows what to expect so everyone feels safe.

The school board for DeKalb School District 428 has called a special meeting on April 29, when they're expected to vote on next steps for a new home for the district's preschool program, meant to address the growing student population.