News, articles and information about DeKalb, Illinois City Council from the Daily Chronicle and Shaw Local
The Northern Illinois University campus footprint has gotten a little bigger with the addition of an approximately 2.4-acre property at the corner of West Hillcrest Drive and Blackhawk Road on the city’s north side.
DeKalb supports data center plan proposed for 132 acres on city’s south side
Aside from attending City Council meetings, DeKalb's newest 5th Ward alderman, Andre Powell, is a local realtor and small business owner who runs and operates In and Out Cuts Barbershop in Sycamore. He reflects with Shaw Local on his first 30 days in office:
When DeKalb residents head to the polls in November to cast their election ballots, they will be asked whether their city clerk’s office should be appointed rather than elected. It's the third time a clerk referendum will be put to voters since 2006.
On Monday, the DeKalb City Council will consider whether or not to place a referendum on the November ballot asking voters if the city clerk should be appointed. The consideration comes months after a judge ruled Clerk Sasha Cohen abandoned his office, ousting him from the role.
Preliminary plans for a second data center on DeKalb’s south side at the corner of Gurler and Peace roads were met favorably by a DeKalb panel this week, and residents will have another chance to weigh in at a public hearing Monday before the City Council.
In the lead-up to Monday's City Council meeting, DeKalb 7th Ward Alderman John Walker said he plans to throw his support behind a planned vote on the NIU Foundation’s Center for Greek Life. He also said he would consider a tax increase to support street maintenance if proposed
A contract authorized this week for design engineering services for lead service line replacement marks the latest action taken by DeKalb city leaders to help ensure that all residents may have access to clean water to drink.
An applicant has proposed a data center on DeKalb’s south side, the second of its kind, and is eyeing 132 acres at the northeast corner of Peace and Gurler roads to help make it happen.
DeKalb 7th Ward residents are invited to a ward meeting with their alderman, John Walker, Monday at Rock Covenant Church.
The DeKalb City Council this week tabled a planned vote on the real estate purchase and sale agreement on property to build the NIU Foundation’s Center for Greek Life, citing two absent council members. The vote was postponed to July 22.
Citing “time of the essence,” capital funding underway and a construction date expected no later than four years from closing, Northern Illinois University could soon take ownership of city-owned property to build a Greek life center on DeKalb's north side.
The Flame Traditional Greek Grill, 209 E. Lincoln Highway, may be drawing interest from a potential buyer after less than a year on the scene in downtown DeKalb.
The applicant, A.H. Auto Repair owner Halmar Rodriguez, intends to relocate his shop to 1106 S. Fourth St. The rezoning also will allow for a hair salon.
DeKalb city leaders this week approved a plan to install a three-way stop sign in the Knolls subdivision, saying the move was prompted by concerned and vocal residents in the neighborhood.
A DeKalb auto repair business may have found a new home in the city’s Fourth Street corridor and as the shop’s owner looks to grow operations at 1106 S. Fourth St. The rezoning also would accommodate a beauty salon.
To keep up with the rising cost of inflation, DeKalb city leaders decided this week to codify an ordinance for imposing a 3.3% increase to the city’s water rate.
The plan approved Monday evening by the DeKalb City Council proposes supporting the creation of large solar farms locally, installing new electrical vehicle charging stations and pursuing new recycling initiatives.
Andre Powell, a former DeKalb School District 428 board member who served on multiple city commissions, was sworn in this week as the city’s new 5th Ward alderman.
The owners behind El Jimador Mexican Grill in downtown DeKalb are moving forward with plans to reimagine the space that once housed the Lincoln Inn as a new banquet establishment dubbed, Cuatro Amigos Venue, 240 E. Lincoln Highway.
The city of DeKalb and its fire department broke ground Friday on a fourth fire station, bringing emergency responders closer to an end of town that will see lots of growth in the years to come, city officials said.
More people in 2023 called 911 for the DeKalb Fire Department than ever before, according to data released this week that shows another record of calls for service amid rumblings of a new fire station.
The DeKalb City Council this week threw its support behind the mayor’s pick for the city’s next 5th Ward alderman, Andre Powell, though his appointment remains contingent on his resignation from the DeKalb school board.
The DeKalb City Council also authorized an intergovernmental agreement with NIU concerning reconstruction of Lucinda Avenue planned for spring 2025
The city of DeKalb has proposed amending its contract with the engineering firm working to widen Peace Road near Fairview Drive and the interstate to account for about $247,398 worth of additional costs, documents show.
The city of DeKalb has proposed a $3.6 million contract with local developer Irving Construction to build a fourth fire station on South Malta Road, documents show. A vote is expected at Monday's City Council meeting.
DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes has proposed Andre Powell, a current DeKalb school board member who also sits on two city committees, to be the next 5th Ward alderman on the City Council, according to city documents.
The DeKalb City Council recently debated whether to impose a cap on the number of additional new retail tobacco stores in town.
DeKalb residents should expect a 3.3% increase in their water bills after City Council action this week prompted by what officials said was inflation. The rate increase will first show up on bills sent out July 1.
With conceptual renderings in hand, leaders from Northern Illinois University and the NIU Foundation brought their latest plans to city hall this week as the university moves to acquire about 2 acres of city-owned land for a Greek life center.
A concept proposed by 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic for creating a special service tax for downtown DeKalb was met this week by opposition from a group of downtown business owners.
Juvenile crime was up while violent crime was down compared to the previous year, according to 2023 crime data recently released by the DeKalb Police Department. Here's a breakdown:
In response, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he anticipates recommending some new candidates who are interested in serving on the city's Human Relations Commission once the 5th Ward Alderman spot is filled.
DeKalb city leaders this week turned down a request that would have paved the way for a convenience store with a small deli to set up shop in the former 7-Eleven, 802 S. Fourth St., DeKalb.
Three downtown area businesses are among the latest to benefit from the city of DeKalb’s Architectural Improvement Program.
In a campaign announcement Tuesday, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he’ll seek reelection in the city’s mayoral race on April 1, 2025.
The DeKalb City Council this week approved a plan to lower its levy collection for 2023 property tax bills, an effort that city leaders said is meant to ease taxpayer burden after what officials said were a record number of property tax appeals this spring.
DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes says he’s not surprised by the amount of interest shown in the vacant 5th Ward aldermanic seat. The deadline for 5th Ward residents to apply for the vacant City Council seat is 5 p.m. April 5.
City of DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes is seeking candidates to serve as the 5th Ward alderperson after the March resignation of Scott McAdams.
A DeKalb County judge ruled Thursday morning that DeKalb City Clerk Sasha Cohen has forfeited his elected office after failing to file statements of economic interest for the past two years, rendering the city’s clerk position vacant.
The DeKalb City Clerk's office is now vacant, following a Thursday judicial ruling that Clerk Sasha Cohen forfeited his office. His term was set to expire in 2025. What's next for the seat?
American Legion Post 66 is getting a hand-up from the city of DeKalb with paying for a new electronic sign. The Legion Post is among the latest recipients of the city of DeKalb’s Architectural Improvement Program grants.
A DeKalb County judge is expected to rule this month whether DeKalb City Clerk Sasha Cohen will forfeit his office for allegedly violating the state’s Governmental Ethics Act by failing to file statements of economic interest for the past two years, records show.
The DeKalb City Council has awarded $25,000 to NuEra Cannabis to help offset costs for some building upgrades underway at the dispensary, 818 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.
A Colorado-based energy company this week sought to make its case for gaining clearance from a DeKalb panel to install a 5-megawatt solar farm on 38 acres at the southwest corner of Illinois Route 38 and John Huber Parkway near the city’s northwest side.
DeKalb city leaders are deliberating plans to issue a package liquor license to the owner of the former 7-Eleven site, which is soon to become home to a new convenience store with a small deli dubbed 4th Street Market.
A Colorado-based energy company has asked for city of DeKalb consideration to install a 5-megawatt solar farm on 38 acres at the southwest corner of Illinois Route 38 and John Huber Parkway in DeKalb, documents show.
DeKalb’s 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams resigned from the DeKalb City Council Friday "for reasons of health," he wrote in a letter obtained by Shaw Local News Network.
Plans for a 55-plus residential community receives support from DeKalb city leaders to proceed, with construction of the development’s first units and clubhouse anticipated to be completed by 2026.
After facing eviction from his previous apartment, DeKalb Alderman Scott McAdams addresses allegations that he doesn't live in the city's 5th Ward.