County OKs filming at 1904 courthouse

By Yvonne Coates

The DeKalb County Board decided Wednesday to allow filming in the courthouse, something not allowed for the past decade.

Ten years ago, the council banned any filming in the courthouse. Now, although the board has adopted a policy, no filming will take place until a movie or a television project comes before the county. The historic courthouse will celebrate its 100th anniversary Oct. 26.

The board voted down a resolution to increase the Geographic Info Service fee from $3 to $14. The fee increase would have affected developers, lawyers, bankers and people involved in real estate. It would also affect those who have to get their records from the county city clerk’s office because they use the G.I.S. to obtain records.

“I think those who use the service should pay for the service, and those who do not should not be assessed for the service,” said Stephen Slack, D-3 board member.

Currently, taxpayers are supporting G.I.S.

“It doesn’t make sense if you never use the service and you’re paying for it,” Slack said.

Some community members are against the fee increase.

“I’m concerned that next month absent members will attend and possibly vote these fee increases in,” said Joseph Wiegand, R-1.

Four members were absent from the meeting.

The law library fee increase was also voted down. It would have increased fees for the county law library from $10 to $13 for the purpose of funding the library.

Currently, the library is inside the DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W. State St., and is being moved to the Sycamore Public Library to make it more accessible to the public and provide longer hours.

“This is a loosening of the belt,” Wiegand said.

He said he disagrees with the resolution because he doesn’t agree that taxpayers should pay more money to buy new tools for the law library.

In other news, Sally DeFauw, D-7, was appointed to District 7 to fill Clifford Simonson’s, D, position, who died in August. DeFauw is for regional planning, wants planned growth for DeKalb county and also wants to preserve farmland.

DeFauw will be running for re-election Nov. 2.