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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Matthew McConnell (from left), a second-year graduate student in higher education and student affairs, Jasmin Kenzie, an NIU alum, Sydney Thompson, an NIU alum and Nesean Smith, a senior business management major, stand near the Victor E. Huskie statue at the 2023 Homecoming Block Party after they were announced as Homecoming royalty. NIU's 2024 Homecoming events will take place from Oct. 13 through Oct. 20. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

NIU’s 117th homecoming aims to bring community together

By Anna Wittenkeller, News Reporter | October 9, 2024

DeKALB - NIU will hold its 2024 Homecoming celebration from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20. The many events that will be available are planned thanks to committees such as the Homecoming Planning Committee and Campus Activities Board. After the COVID-19 pandemic,...

A graphic shows The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation logo, a scammer, a loan and students. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking and the Illinois Attorney General issued a warning on Thursday to inform students of student loan scams. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Beware of new scam targeting student loan borrowers

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | October 3, 2024

DeKALB – A new student loan scam seeks to take advantage of student loan borrowers. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking and the Illinois Attorney General issued a warning to inform students of student...

The members of DeKalb City Council sit at the city council meeting Monday. The DeKalb City Council passed an ordinance in a 5-2 vote to add a cosmetic liquor license. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

City Council approves alcohol sales in salons, barbershops and spas

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 24, 2024

DeKALB – Barbershops, salons and spas are now able to apply for licenses to sell alcohol. The City Council passed an ordinance to add a cosmetic liquor license with a 5-2 vote. Council members who voted for the ordinance were 1st Ward Alderwoman...

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 Reporter | 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...

Baba's Steak and Lemonade, located at 1015 W. Lincoln Hwy, sits on a sunny day. Baba's opened on Aug. 5 and is known for cheesesteaks and lemonade. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Business spotlight: Baba’s Steak and Lemonade

By Mariestrella Corral, News Reporter | September 15, 2024

Editor’s note: This article is not sponsored by Baba's and is not an endorsement from the Northern Star as an organization.  DeKALB - A Baba’s Steak and Lemonade location has arrived in DeKalb, located at 1015 W. Lincoln Hwy. Baba’s Steak...

A empty plot of land on Blackhawk Road where the Greek Life Center will be built sits on a cloudy day. The land purchase for the Greek Life Center is set to close on Oct. 21. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Land purchase for Greek Life Center expected to close on Oct. 21

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 13, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s plan to rejuvenate Greek Life takes a step forward as the sale of land for the $18 million Greek Life Center is set to close on Oct. 21. The City of DeKalb agreed to sell the land to the NIU Foundation at a council meeting July 22. The...

Members of the DeKalb Firefighters Color Guard stand in a line at the 9/11 event hosted on Wednesday. The 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony honored the memories and sacrifices from those who died on 9/11. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

DeKalb Fire Station #1 hosts 9/11 ceremony

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | September 11, 2024

DeKALB – In honor of Sept. 11, 2001, the DeKalb’s Fire Station #1 held its 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony to honor the memories and sacrifices from those who died as a result of the event. At 8 a.m. Wednesday there was a gathering of about 25 people...

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....

Numerous kites fly in the sky during Kite Fest. Both novice and professional kite fliers had open space to fly their kites. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Kite Fest celebrates its 19th year

By Gray Edelstein, News Reporter | September 9, 2024

DeKALB  — Kite Fest returned to DeKalb Kiwanis Park for its 19th annual community gathering. Both novice and professional kite flyers had open space to let their kites soar. Operating from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Kite Fest entertained crowds...

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 Reporter | 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...

The Lucinda Bridge, across from the Music Building, sits with barricades nearby blocking off the entrance to the bridge. Construction for the Lucinda Bridge is expected to be completed Sept. 20. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Lucinda Bridge expected to reopen Sept. 20

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 8, 2024

DeKALB – The Lucinda bridge is expected to reopen on Sept. 20 after delays shifted the timeline for work to be completed by one year. The overpass closed for construction in March of 2023.  The bridge, built in 1954, was at the end of its life...

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 Reporter | 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...