A pre-trial and trial will be held in the DeKalb County Courthouse for the Board of Regents eminent domain lawsuit filed last fall to determine how much property south of the university NIU can obtain from current landowners.

The Regents filed the lawsuit on NIU’s behalf to obtain property bordered on the north and south by Lincoln Terrace and Lincoln Highway, and on the west and east by Carroll Avenue and Normal Road, respectively.

The suit was filed last Oct. 14 with the Regents, NIU’s governing board, as the plaintiff and the owners of four houses built on the area in question acting as the defendants.

Michael Funkey, attorney for the Regents, said there was a hearing held on Sept. 20 in the courthouse. He said the pre-trial is scheduled for Oct. 20, and the trial date is set for Nov. 20.

NIU President John LaTourette said he is unable to comment on the current status of the lawsuit because it is still pending.

Gary Cordes, attorney for the residents, was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment.