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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A boarded-up window stands at 808 Ridge Drive apartments in 2019.

City Council approves special service area for Hunter Ridgebrook Properties

By Kierra Frazier | December 15, 2020

DeKALB – Following opposition from DeKalb residents and an hour of back and forth discussion, City Council members approved a special service area for Hunter Ridgebrook Properties at Monday’s meeting.  A special service area allows local governments...

Huskie Bus Line 18 in 2019.

City Council to discuss construction of local transit center

By Kierra Frazier | December 13, 2020

DeKALB – City council members will consider the construction of a city-owned transit maintenance and operations facility at Monday’s meeting.  The city-owned transit facility is being considered to be located along Dresser Road, neighboring the...

Rates for New Hall and Northern View are considered separately.  Source: Dec. 10 Board of Trustees Agenda.

Board of Trustees approves 2% increase to room and board fees

By Kierra Frazier | December 11, 2020

DeKALB – Starting Fall 2021 room and board fees at the university will increase 2%, approximately $100, per semester following the approval by the Board of Trustees at Thursday’s meeting.  Each year, the university brings forward to the Board...

Mental health during COVID-19

Mental health professionals give advice for winter months

By Ashley Dwy | December 8, 2020

DeKALB – With the winter comes Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as seasonal depression, and this winter will be unlike any other due to COVID-19 as anxieties and negative emotions surge. Students’ mental health has already been negatively...

Dan Kenney, executive director of DeKalb County Community Gardens, (left) sets up a Grow Mobile food distribution in Kingston with  Christy Westman, Grow Mobile Program coordinator in 2019.

Local food pantries seek to help residents as volunteer numbers decrease

By Greg Gancarz | December 7, 2020

DeKALB – Food pantries in DeKalb have seen both surges in demand and drops in volunteer numbers in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns, local food pantry administrators said. Local food distribution centers around DeKalb County have seen the number of...

Revenues and expenses for the FY20 and projected FY21 budgets are highlighted above.

NIU braces for possible $37.7 million deficit for FY21

By Kierra Frazier | November 30, 2020

DeKALB – NIU’s budgetary spending is limited in terms of its flexibility as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put financial strains on the university, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Chinniah said.  After ending the 2020 fiscal year in June with...

Former DeKalb clinic at 217 Franklin St. being demolished Nov. 24.

‘Building new beginnings’: Demolition starts on Safe Passage’s new home

By Kierra Frazier | November 25, 2020

DeKALB –  Domestic violence agency Safe Passage is getting a new home after a former DeKalb clinic began the demolition process Monday.  Safe Passage purchased the property at 217 Franklin St. with the help of an anonymous donor. The new facility...

Progress LGBTQ+ Pride flag outside the Holmes Student Center.

Progress LGBTQ+ Pride Flags being displayed on campus for first time

By Ashley Dwy | November 18, 2020

DeKALB – This week is the first time Progress LGBTQ+ Pride Flags will be flown this widely and prominently at NIU, Molly Holmes, director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, said.  The Progress LGBTQ+ Pride Flags are on display from Monday...

 Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks April 9 at the Thompson Center in Chicago during the daily update on the states response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pritzker announces statewide COVID-19 restrictions

By Kierra Frazier | November 17, 2020

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday that the state will enter Tier 3 mitigations efforts starting Friday as COVID-19 cases rise in Illinois.  Tier 3 mitigations include retail stores statewide having a 25% store capacity. Indoor recreation...

The NIU sign stands in the heart of campus. Students have a lot of events to look forward to this semester. (Northern Star File photo)

NIU announces shift to online classes for remainder of semester

By Northern Star Staff | November 16, 2020

DeKALB – All courses for the remainder of the semester will be held online beginning Nov. 30 following the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state, NIU President Lisa Freeman wrote in an email Monday.  In-person activities for the remainder of the semester...

The Student Emergency Fund will remain open as long as funding is available.

NIU announces partnership with Rockford Promise to offer full-tuition scholarships

By Bisola Bello, Reporter | November 12, 2020

DeKALB — Rockford Public School District 205 students will be eligible for full-tuition at NIU starting in Fall 2021 following an announcement made by NIU President Lisa Freeman and Rockford school officials. The new partnership is sponsored by Rockford...

DeKalb Police Headquarters, 700 W. Lincoln Highway.

Officer involved in August 2019 excessive force arrest resigns

By Kierra Frazier | November 11, 2020

DeKALB – DeKalb Sgt. Jeffery Weese has resigned from the DeKalb Police Department, according to a resignation agreement between the city and Weese. Weese began paid administrative leave Nov. 1, and his resignation won’t take effect until Feb. 28,...