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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Mayor Cohen Barnes (from left), former 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker sit at the Feb. 26 City Council meeting. The DeKalb City Council violated the Open Meetings Act at the Feb. 26 meeting by cutting off a citizen's public comment. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb city council violated Open Meetings Act at Feb. 26 meeting

By Devin Oommen, News Editor | September 17, 2024

DeKALB – The Illinois Attorney General’s Office ruled the DeKalb city council violated the Open Meetings Act in February by cutting off a citizen's public comment during a meeting. The Open Meetings Act is an Illinois law that grants members of...

A group of students march on Normal Road while holding flags. In honor of Latino Heritage Month, the Latino Resource Center hosted their kick off parade at 4 p.m. on Monday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Latino Resource Center hosts kickoff parade for Latino Heritage Month

By Mariestrella Corral, News Reporter | September 16, 2024

DeKALB – To kick off Latino Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the Latino Resource Center hosted its opening parade at 4 p.m. Monday. Throughout Latino Heritage Month, there will be many celebratory events including a Latino...

Aidan O’Brien, SGA student trustee, stands by the podium and speaks at Friday’s SGA senate meeting. O’Brien gave an update about NIU’s finances and enrollment numbers. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

SGA approves new deputy speaker

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 15, 2024

DeKALB – At the first Student Government Association meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year, in a 12-0-1 vote, Sen. Nathan Gonzalez was voted as the SGA Deputy Speaker. The first SGA meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year was held at 4 p.m. Friday...

A group of students walk up stairs to go to class. NIU's enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester has gone down by 89 students compared to the Fall 2023 semester. (Getty Images)

NIU releases Fall 2024 enrollment numbers

By Olivia Zapf, Copy Editor | September 13, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s 10-day Fall 2024 enrollment numbers show slight decreases in undergraduate and graduate student populations but increases in transfer students and law students. NIU released its 10-day enrollment which contained how many students...

Clint-Michael Reneau, vice president of student affairs, gives a presentation at the University Council meeting Wednesday. Reneau gave a presentation on NIU’s strategic plan regarding health and well-being. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

University Council discusses enrollment numbers

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 11, 2024

Correction: This piece was updated at 2:34 p.m. Monday Sept. 16, to remove incorrect information regarding the host of the event on Oct. 24. The event will be hosted by the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding, not the Partnership for College...

A banner that reads "Huskies Vote" sits in the Holmes Student Center. The Huskies Vote initiative encourages students to register to vote in elections. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Huskies Vote aims to promote voter registration among students

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 10, 2024

Correction: This piece was updated at 12:32 p.m. Wednesday to change incorrect information regarding the email address for students who want to be a member of Huskies Vote. The email is [email protected]. DeKALB – In the midst of another important election...

Luis Hernandez, left, an Elgin resident, and Noe Mendez, a DeKalb resident, order wings at the new Wingstop. The new Wingstop opened at 11 a.m. Monday in Sycamore. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Wingstop opens Sycamore location

By Mariestrella Corral, News Reporter | September 10, 2024

DeKALB – A Wingstop location has opened in Sycamore, located at 2682 DeKalb Ave.  Wingstop has had numerous delays in opening. They were supposed to open on Aug. 19 and then on Aug. 26. Wingstop is open for carryout and delivery from 11 a.m....

Members of the DeKalb city council talk at Monday's City Council meeting. The city council voted on an ordinance that would allow salons, spas and barbershops to sell alcohol to people 21 or older. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

City Council moves closer to allowing alcohol in salons and barbershops

By Devin Oommen, News Editor | September 9, 2024

DeKALB – Alcoholic beverages may soon be coming to salons and barbershops in DeKalb. In its first reading, the DeKalb City Council voted on an ordinance that could allow the sale of alcohol in salons, spas and barbershops.  The ordinance is for...

An NIU Police car sits parked on NIU's campus. Crimes such as possession of alcohol and domestic battery were reported in August 2024 on NIU's campus. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU crime log, August 2024

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 8, 2024

DeKALB – The information in this report is compiled from the NIU Police Department’s Daily Crime Log. Any case defined as “unfounded” was not included in this list. Any “closed by exception” case is closed due to circumstances outside of...

James Innis, a senior accountancy major, speaks from behind a podium. Innis is the SGA vice president for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Courtesy of James Innis)

James Innis aims to set SGA up for success

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 5, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: The responses in this report have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. DeKALB – A National Guard and United States Army veteran, James Innis, senior accountancy major, was elected the Student Government Association vice president...

Michaela Holtz, executive director of Student Affairs Central, gives a presentation about the Huskie Vote Initiative at the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday. The Huskie Vote Initiative encourages students to vote in elections. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Huskies Vote Initiative discussed at Faculty Senate

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | September 4, 2024

DeKALB – The first Faculty Senate meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year occurred at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. In March 2024, the Higher Learning Commission visited NIU for their 10-year evaluation. NIU received accreditation,...

A barricade that reads NIU Zone sits on Normal Road. The roundabout at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue is expected to be completed by August 2025. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Normal Road roundabout to be completed by August 2025

By Devin Oommen, News Editor | September 3, 2024

DeKALB – A roundabout at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue is scheduled to be completed by August 2025. The roundabout is the first phase of a two-phase plan to convert the area south of Lucinda Avenue to university grounds. On...