The DeKalb City Attorney position was filled by Joliet resident Norma Guess in early August after Margo Ely left.

Guess previously worked for the City of Joliet as an assistant to the corporation council.

“There were 40 to 50 applicants for the position,” said City Manager Mark Biernacki.

The applicants were narrowed down to five, who were interviewed by three panels.

Typically, for key positions within the city, three candidate-reviewing panels are required, Biernacki said. The different panels were made up of city department heads, Ely, various union representatives and state’s attorney representatives.

The panels interviewed the candidates separately and then met to discuss and choose the most eligible candidate, Biernacki said.

Ely resigned her position after accepting the same position in Naperville. She worked for DeKalb for more than three years, DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said. Dawn Didier, assistant city attorney, served as the interim city attorney until Guess filled the position.

“I am still getting my feet wet. However, among many items, I am currently working with the city to establish a new appeal process for parking ordinance violations,” Guess said.

Instead of sitting before one person during an appeal, petitioners will have the option of speaking before a committee.

“I will have to work hard to fill the shoes of Ely,” Guess said. “From what I am told, she is well-liked by the community.”

The new challenges that await Guess are something that she looks forward to.

“I chose a municipality over the private sector because there are a wide range of issues from litigation to labor unions, making no two days alike,” Guess said. “Working with the community, and the individual contact that I have with residents on a day-to-day basis is most rewarding.”

The DeKalb City Attorney position falls under the legal division of the city. The legal division of DeKalb prosecutes traffic, parking violations ranging from underage drinking to battery and retail theft. The division also defends the city against general liability and workers’ compensation claims.