Northern Star

Local legislation up for consideration

By Nick Swedberg | January 28, 2004

Local representatives are looking to pass several pieces of legislation when the 93rd Illinois General Assembly session begins Tuesday. Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Sycamore), representing the 35th District of the Illinois Senate, said there are a couple of...

In the running

By Deanna Cabinian | January 27, 2004

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Andy McKenna shared his ideas on Monday about how to create more jobs in Illinois. McKenna spoke informally to the handful of students who attended, all of whom were members of NIU’s College Republicans. “I’m...

DeKalb unaffected by terror alert

By Nick Swedberg | January 27, 2004

DeKalb County law enforcement remains relatively unaffected by recent changes in the terror alert system, local police officials said. The U.S. government lowered the terror alert from orange, or “high,” to yellow, or “elevated,” on Jan. 9. However,...

Rooming rates may rise

By Kristin Cavaarretta | January 27, 2004

Room and board rates may increase by 10 percent next year to keep up with rising costs if recommendations made by the Residence Hall Association are approved. Although the Room and Board Advisory Committee recommended an 8-percent increase, RHA President...

Newman Center offers alternative vacation spots for Spring Break

By Mark Pietrowski | January 27, 2004

For students who enjoy helping others and would like to go somewhere on Spring Break, the Newman Catholic Student Center offers students the chance to go on one of three service trips for only $75. Director of Justice and Social Action Ministries Pat...

Outing Centre’s indoor climbing trips rock NIU, DeKalb area

By Laurel Marselle | January 27, 2004

Gripping a rock wall while sweating, breathing heavily and straining every muscle in your body might seem like work for some people, but active members of NIU’s Outing Centre do it for fun. Rock climbing trips are open to any NIU student, as well as...

Tax amnesty benefits DeKalb

By Laura Grandt | January 26, 2004

DeKalb and other local governments recently received additional funds from the state.

The state of Illinois collected $532 million from a tax amnesty program from Oct. 1 to Nov. 17, said Mike Klemens of the Illinois Department of Revenue. Of the $532 million, $80 million has been earmarked for local governments spanning the state.

DeKalb County received $35,636 that will go into the general fund to be used for general operations, Deputy County Administrator Gary Hanson said.

The city of DeKalb received $9,819 and the money will be used in much the same way, said Doug Haywood, accounting services manager for the city of DeKalb.

Hanson said the county board can designate the money for special uses if they choose, but he thinks the money will remain in the fund.

Local governments across the state received the money in addition to the personal property replacement tax payments. Payments are made eight times a year. The two most recent payments, in December and January, contained the additional funds from the amnesty program, Klemens said.

The tax amnesty program allowed individuals and corporations to pay back taxes or taxes owed from audits from June 1, 1982, to July 1, 2002, without penalties or interest, Klemens said. The state initiated the program to try to close the budget gap, he said.

The state expected between $130 million and $230 million, Klemens said.

The state government did much better than it thought it would with the amnesty program, Klemens said, and so the local government also did much better.

Disbursement of the $80 million between local governments was determined on the basis of personal property taxes collected in 1977, Klemens said.

Both Hanson and Haywood said the money was unexpected, only finding out recently that the money was coming.

“It’s always welcome to get money,” Hanson said. “We have a $50 million budget, so it won’t change anything significantly, but certainly, every little bit helps.”

SA considers online election process

By Greg Feltes | January 26, 2004

After only 1,279 of 24,948 students voted in last year’s Student Association executive election, NIU officials are deciding how to stop a declining voter trend and increase student interest. Rick Clark, director of University Programming & Activities...

Up ’til Dawn raises more than $20K for hospital

By Casey Toner | January 26, 2004

Participants in the Up ‘til Dawn program celebrated raising more than $20,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Friday night at the Student Recreation Center. Up ‘til Dawn, which was scheduled to run from 9:30 p.m to 4 a.m., was rescheduled...

SA may force CAB elections

By Nick Swedberg | January 26, 2004

NIU students used to applying for executive positions at the Campus Activities Board will be forced to run for the position in an election if new legislation is passed by the Student Association Senate. The bill would force recognized student-run organizations...

NIU professor researches prostitution

By David Gomez | January 26, 2004

NIU history professor Nancy Wingfield is taking a new look at the world’s oldest profession. Wingfield currently is in the Czech Republic conducting research on prostitution. She won a grant from the Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship...

CHANCE founder honored

By Deanna Cabinian | January 26, 2004

NIU’s CHANCE program will be rededicated in honor of its founder, McKinley “Deacon” Davis, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium. A reception at the student center’s Regency Room will follow the ceremony....

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