Fiscal responsibility was the key issue being questioned by citizens to candidates of the DeKalb aldermanic and the Kishwaukee College Trustees races Wednesday night.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce hosted the Meet the Candidates Night at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., from 6 to 9 p.m. The first part of the evening was a meet-and-greet with the candidates, followed by a question and answer portion.

“We are doing this as a service to the community so that they may hear from the candidates directly,” said Jackie DiNatale, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce ambassador.

John Acardo, DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder, began the evening by informing those in attendance that early voting began in February, and that April 5 is the official voting day, with polls closing at 7 p.m.

“We hope to have an open, candid conversation tonight,” Acardo said.

Jerry Foster and Robert Johnson,Kishwaukee College Trustee candidates, began the question and answer part of the evening. Sheela Goral and Bob Hammon are also running for a trustee position, but were unable to attend the event.

Questions for candidates were submitted online prior to the event or at the door. The were asked by the moderator, Jason Schaumburg of the Daily Chronicle.

“I think the challenge going forward is how to make the best investments for college and community to continue to be fiscally responsible,” Foster said.

The top concern for the trustees is state budgeting, said Johnson and Foster. Johnson said Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Road in Malta, gets $4 million per year from the state, which is about 18 percent of the budget, but the state still owes the college $1 million.

The aldermanic candidates also participated in a question and answer portion. The candidates running include David Jacobson and Bertrand Simpson for Ward 1, Kristen Lash and Paulette Sherman for Ward 3, Rob Fischer and Ron Naylor for Ward 5 and Erik Calmeyer and Monica O’Leary for Ward 7.

Questions for the aldermanic candidates focused on how the respective candidates would be fiscally responsible.

“There are no quick fixes,” Simpson said. “All [issues] pre-date the current council. If there is going to be change, there needs to be a fundamental shift.”

One question posed to Simpson and Jacobson was how to improve the relationship with NIU.

“Someone has to reach out and be proactive,” Jacobson said.

DiNatale said approximately fifty people from the community attended the event. She said candidates nights are hosted for many elections.

There will be another Meet the Candidates Night hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce from 6 to 9 p.m Thursday at the Egyptian Theater. The candidates for the evening will be for the DeKalb Community Unified School District #428 race.