‘The momentum is evident’: DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith gives last State of the City address

DeKALB – The current DeKalb mayor gave his last State of the City address before he leaves office following the April 6 consolidated election.

DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith said during his address, which was pre-recorded and played during the Monday City Council meeting, he wanted to reflect on how much he has enjoyed his term as mayor and that he believes the state of the city is good. He said he pledges his full cooperation during the transition in the spring and like to expand on some personal thoughts during my last council meeting.

“We certainly have challenges, especially in the public safety and the housing arenas, but the momentum is evident,” Smith, 77, said in the recorded speech. “I know it, I feel it and ... I hope you share the enthusiasm I have for DeKalb, Illinois.”

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Dekalb State of City Address DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith speaks after his pre recorded State of the City address on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Mark Black for Shaw Local)

Smith’s comments come after he announced in September he would not seek reelection, citing his age and a desire for retirement to not be as stressful as reasons for his decision.

DeKalb First Ward Alderman Carolyn Morris was one of two DeKalb mayoral candidates who filed Monday after she was the first to announce her intent to run for the office in August. Local business owner Cohen Barnes, of DeKalb-based Sundog IT, announced on Nov. 30 he’d also see the mayoral seat. Both filed for mayoral candidacy in December.

Smith acknowledged that the city’s small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and mentioned the city delayed or waived fees in an effort to provide some financial relief at the local level. He also talked about the group DeKalb County UNITES, a local business coalition forming to figure out ways for businesses to increase their social media presence and expand their web services in an effort to keep their heads above water because of lack of in-person sales.

“I am so impressed with how these businesses pivoted and how they really made it work within the extreme limitations placed upon them,” Smith said.

Smith said members of the community now find themselves struggling with a vaccine distribution system that may stretch deep into 2021.

“As a community, we will continue to extend our deepest gratitude to those first responders and to our friends and neighbors in the health care community,” Smith said.

Smith highlighted some developmental progress made in the city, including increased development in the city’s downtown area and big companies such as Ferrara Candy Company and Facebook coming to town soon. He also mentioned revitalization efforts within the Annie Glidden North neighborhood such as the demolition of Campus Cinemas, the eventual tear-down of the now city-owned and vacant Edgebrook Manor Apartment Complex, 912 Edgebrook Drive, and the recently created special service area for some Hunter Properties complexes near Edgebrook Drive.

Smith’s speech also touched on the local social justice movement that occurred this past summer spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis which set off months of near-daily marches and protests calling for police and criminal justice reform locally. He also mentioned some key personnel changes that happened over the past year, including DeKalb Acting Police Chief Bob Redel.

Smith said he believes Redel – who was selected in June to fill the interim police chief role after previous acting chief John Petragallo left the department in June 2020 – has done a great job in the role over the past seven months. Smith also mentioned the city currently is in the process of selecting someone for the permanent chief position, which Redel said he will apply for.

“This city is committed to naming someone who will continue to be as compassionate, with a full buy-in to the recent structural changes, as Chief Redel,” Smith said.

Smith said the DeKalb Police Department restructuring meant to focus more on community engagement, crime-free housing and behavioral health is set to become operational soon with a $2.2 million budget. He also pointed to the Oct. 22 Belonging event featuring speaker Dr. john powell meant to begin a larger conversation about building a culture of belonging in the DeKalb and NIU area.

“The past year has presented us all a number of challenges as we strive to celebrate that diversity while aligning ourselves in an ongoing mission towards greater social justice,” Smith said. “Our 2020 initiatives, I believe, will lead to an even greater progress in 2021.”