DeKalb City Council

DeKalb City Council approved cannabis tasting rooms in a pair of unanimous decisions this week. “I think that this is so unique and just a brilliant business model," 1st Ward alderwoman Carolyn Zasada said.

Heartland Bank soon will have a new location to call its own along Grove Street in DeKalb. The bank's Grove Street plans were greenlit this week.

Plans for Heartland Bank to build a new drive-thru facility along Grove Street received preliminary support from DeKalb city leaders this week.

A DeKalb cannabis dispensary has been given the green light this week to move forward with plans to open a tasting room. “We also want to use it as a means to bring the community together as well to use it as an education for cannabis," owner Maria Davis said.

DeKalb city leaders recently banned vape vending machines and the sale of unregulated THC and the stimulant kratom, citing safety concerns. But some business owners argued the prohibition would harm sales and was unfair because of the growing legal cannabis industry.

When the state grocery tax lifts on Illinoisans in January, DeKalb purchases will continue to be taxed locally, the DeKalb City Council voted this week. Officials argued the tax is needed to maintain public services.

DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas gave an emotional farewell to the City Council on Monday, saying he feels grateful to everyone who made it possible for him to serve the DeKalb Fire Department the past 30 years.

The DeKalb City Council had a busy agenda Monday night including approving a city grocery tax, voting to prohibit the sale of unregulated hemp-derived THC products and saying farewell to DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas.

DeKalb 1st Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada told the public this week that she’s missed five recent City Council meetings because she’s started a new job. She spoke with Shaw Local to explain.

DeKalb elected officials this week voiced early support for a potential local grocery tax. Some blamed Gov. JB Pritzker for what they said was forcing their hand on a tax they argued brings needed revenue for city services. “It really does irritate me," Mayor Cohen Barnes said.

A new Italian steakhouse is coming to downtown DeKalb.

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas is recommending the city enact a local 1% grocery tax, arguing not doing so would slash needed funds for city departments responsible for keeping the public safe.

A former DeKalb Ward 2 Alderman and the last DeKalb City Clerk to serve a full term in the office full time has died at the age of 78. Donna Johnson, who died June 3 at her home, was a “champion of the underdog,” stepson Dirk Johnson said Friday.

Got bud? The city of DeKalb wants to help one local dispensary in making that pitch to consumers easier to act on. DeKalb city leaders moved one step closer this week to allowing Excelleaf Dispensary, 305 E. Locust St., to open what its founders are calling a “tasting room.”

You’ve heard of beer and wine tastings at local establishments and breweries. What if you could go to a cannabis edible tasting at your neighborhood dispensary? That’s a question one DeKalb dispensary owner will pose to the DeKalb City Council this week.

A feature of the new Hopkins Pool in DeKalb includes an expanded concessions stand with two windows, plans show. That will offer pool-goers on the deck, as well as families enjoying Hopkins Park playground area outside the pool, a chance to purchase treats.

The DeKalb City Council this week approved a plan to expand Oakwood Cemetery at 611-615 N. First St. in DeKalb Township.

The DeKalb Park District is asking the city for permission to build a new $14 million public swimming pool, documents show. It's the latest step as district officials plan an anticipated new pool opening of June 2026.

Fewer people called 911 seeking help from the DeKalb Fire Department in 2024 compared to 2023, according to data released this week.

Multiple newly-elected officials were sworn in and seated for a packed meeting of the DeKalb City Council Monday. Mayor Cohen Barnes began his second term touting collaboration. "The only way we’re going to be successful is by working together," he said.

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes was sworn in to his second term on Monday. He was joined by some new and returning City Hall faces during a crowded DeKalb City Council meeting at the DeKalb Public Library.

To help ensure continuity of service, the DeKalb City Council at a recent meeting gave a green light to solidify an agreement between the city and a local mental health clinic to embed social workers in police response to behavioral health concerns.

Oakwood Cemetery, 611 to 615 N. First St. in DeKalb Township, could be getting ready for an expansion thanks to a local church.

DeKalb city leaders are one step closer to replacing the last of the lead service lines in town.

School resource officers from the DeKalb Police Department are here to stay for at least the next five years in DeKalb schools.

DeKalb city leaders could soon discuss whether to implement a local grocery tax as the state’s 1% grocery tax expires in 2026. “We’re not talking about a tax increase. The only thing we’re talking about is keeping the existing tax in place," Mayor Cohen Barnes said.

In case you missed it: The city of DeKalb‘s fourth fire station, 1130 S. Malta Road, is officially in service. Take a look inside the new space.

The City of DeKalb on Thursday announced the apartment at 930 Greenbriar Road is inhabitable again more than four months after a Dec. 22 fire.

Citing unknown effects from inflation, the DeKalb City Council approved a plan this week to increase residents’ water bill rate by 3.8%.

DeKalb city leaders recognized outgoing 4th Ward Alderman Greg Perkins during a City Council meeting this week.

Some candidates running for DeKalb mayor in the consolidated election this spring raised more campaign dollars than others, according to new campaign spending records recently released by the Illinois State Board of Elections.

A DeKalb panel is preliminarily backing plans to rezone a Grove Street building that once housed a motorbike seller, in hopes of helping the building’s owner market the vacant space for new business.

Newcomer Bradley Hoey has been elected to the DeKalb City Clerk’s Office by a wide vote margin, unofficial write-in results released Thursday show.

Cohen Barnes is the first DeKalb mayor in 32 years to secure a consecutive term in office, unofficial election results show. "It's a real privilege," Barnes said Wednesday of his reelection.

Incumbent Ward 2 Alderwoman Barbara Larson won reelection to the DeKalb City Council on Tuesday, grabbing 68% of the vote over opponent Michael Embrey, if unofficial results hold.

Voters this week in DeKalb County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

This spring, DeKalb County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

The City of DeKalb has tapped a Freeport-based construction firm to build a $1.8 million roundabout at Lucinda Avenue and Normal Road near Northern Illinois University. Construction could be complete by the fall.

When asked in a Daily Chronicle candidates forum if they would commit to serve out their full four-year term in office if elected, all three DeKalb City Clerk hopefuls said yes. No DeKalb clerk has served out a full term in a decade.

Citing the turnover that’s plagued the city clerk’s office in recent years and a desire for stability, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he’d liked to see Bradley Hoey elected to the position.

Motorists whose southbound commute includes Annie Glidden Road at the underpass could soon see smoother roadways after DeKalb city action this week. Plans to repave the southbound road at the underpass could be complete by August, city officials said.

Public safety and infrastructure were among hot topics discussed by DeKalb Ward 2 aldermanic candidates during a recent Daily Chronicle forum. Incumbent Barbara Larson seeks reelection against candidate Michael Embrey.

Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, candidates for DeKalb City Council Ward 2 debated the issues facing DeKalb ahead of the April 1 election in a Shaw Local candidates forum with Kelsey Rettke and Megann Horstead

Read the transcript: Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, candidates for DeKalb City Council Ward 2 talked about housing and more issues that face DeKalb ahead of the April 1 election

eKalb Ward 7 residents are invited to a meeting on March 27 led by Alderman John Walker, where members of the public can expect to talk about local issues of the day.

Candidates seeking to represent Ward 2 on the DeKalb City Council, incumbent Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, talked top issues and goals for the office in a virtual forum this week with Daily Chronicle news staff.

DeKalb officials recently said they want to set the record straight about considerations to build a roundabout at North First Street and Sycamore Road. Here's what to know

Barbara Larson on roundabouts in DeKalb: People are either 100% against them or 100% for them, no middle ground. I am thankful we voted to have an in-depth study conducted to see what might work best at north First Street and DeKalb Ave

DeKalb didn’t report any homicides in 2024, a relief to Police Chief David Byrd who said this week that downward trending violent crime was a goal for his department over the past year. Robberies also were down, though burglary was up.

City leaders this week issued sharp rebukes after they said multiple Latino-owned businesses in DeKalb recently were targeted by letters filled with what Mayor Cohen Barnes called “hate speech.”