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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Matt Streb (left), chief strategy officer for NIU, discusses the developments for the purchase of land for the NIU Greek Life Center with Catherine Squires, vice president of University Advancement and president and CEO of the NIU Foundation. Shop owners of DeKalbs Central Business District voiced their concerns over a proposed levy for downtown DeKalb residents to reimburse the city for street maintenance costs. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU expects to purchase land for Greek Life Center

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | April 23, 2024

DeKALB – New conceptual drawings of NIU’s Greek Life Center were shown to the City Council to back a hopeful consideration to purchase the land where the eventual construction of the center will take place.  The last update for the center happened...

The DeKalb City Council sit and share their council member reports at the City Council meeting on April 8. The board approved an agreement for the Illinois Aviation Academy to train pilots at the DeKalb Municipal Airport. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb Airport to house second Illinois Aviation Academy

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | April 8, 2024

DeKALB – The DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport will train pilots and potentially house an extended campus of the Illinois Aviation Academy with the City Council’s approval of a “Specialized Aviation Service Operation” agreement. The City Council...

Mayor Cohen Barnes begins the public hearing on an amendment to the 2020-2024 Community Development Block Grant consolidated action plan and 2024 CDBG annual action plan Monday in the Yusunas Meeting Room at the DeKalb Public Library. The amendment will move funds to Economic Development for Opportunity DeKalb’s Project Launchpad. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

55+ housing development approved

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | March 13, 2024

DeKALB – Monday’s city council meeting featured approval of funding for construction and renovations.  The storefront for the upcoming dispensary at 818 W. Lincoln Highway – the Junction Shopping Center – was approved for a $25,000 reimbursement...

Mayor Cohen Barnes (from left), 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker sit and debate the possible implications of the nuisance gathering ordinances passing. The City Council on Monday centered around amendments to an ordinance adding offenses committed by an increase in nuisance gatherings in DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

City Council fights over enforcements to nuisance gatherings

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 27, 2024

DeKALB – Outrage and disappointment erupted from City Council members after a discussion regarding the legitimacy of deterring “nuisance gatherings” invoked speculations of possible discrimination, which challenged its expected approval. The City...

Opportunity DeKalb administer Chad Glover describes the benefits of Project Launchpad to the City Council on Nov. 27 at the City Council meeting. Project Launchpad would provide virtual business courses for DeKalb residents. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb to offer business classes to residents

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | November 28, 2023

DeKALB – Residents of DeKalb could learn how to become entrepreneurs and learn essential business skills after the city council approved a new initiative. Opportunity DeKalb is a non-profit community development corporation created by the Annie Glidden...

City Manager Bill Nicklas discusses the citys tax rates with the Council. The City Council approved the citys annual property tax levy at the City Council meeting on Nov. 13. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Corporate levy to increase home value, not taxes

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | November 14, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb homeowners won’t be seeing major changes to their taxes this year, but they will see their property values increase. The city of DeKalb’s corporate levy for 2024 will be $1 million higher than last year’s. The city’s corporate...

Cub Scout Pack #104 attends the DeKalb City Council meeting on Oct. 23. The Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of Monday’s meeting. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Greek Life Center construction extends to 2025

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | October 24, 2023

DeKALB – NIU can expect to purchase the land for its Greek Life Center in March, while final construction is planned to end by 2025.  The NIU Foundation, which will purchase the property between the intersection of West Hillcrest Drive and Blackhawk...

City Manager Bill Nicklas reviews the expansions of the property at 1240 Normal Road. The building was originally built by the district but was sold to NIU in 1987 and used by the School of Nursing. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb school district seeks renovations to former nursing building

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | October 9, 2023

DeKALB – The former nursing building is being repurposed as an elementary school for the DeKalb school district by 2025. The building, 1240 Normal Road, is returning to the DeKalb school district years after it was constructed in 1974 and sold to...

Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada asks the council to reconsider approving the real estate contract between the city and D-N-J Properties, Inc. on Monday at the DeKalb City Council meeting. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Greek Life Center construction delayed until March

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 26, 2023

DeKALB – NIU’s plans to start construction of its Greek Life Center in the Annie Glidden neighborhood near Greek Row will be extended to March while the project awaits funding. The NIU Foundation does not have the funds to build the center, but...

Firefighters from the DeKalb Fire Department take out tools from their fire engines with the sign “#ProudlyDeKalb” displayed on the engine’s ladder. A fourth fire station is expected for the City of DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb makes way for 4th fire station

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 12, 2023

DeKALB – The building of a fourth fire station in DeKalb is in motion with plans to potentially break ground by spring 2024. Collaborations between the DeKalb City Council and the DeKalb Fire Department have gone into the timely approval of a fourth...

City Manager Bill Nicklas explains the location of the projected warehouses in relation to Peace Road and neighboring warehouse properties. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Rezoned property, room for more business

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 11, 2023

DeKALB – The approved zoning plans for a 130-acre property at the northeast corner of Peace Road and E. Gurler Road projects the possibility for more large manufacturers in DeKalb. The proposed development by developer, Steven Goldin, would rezone...

In Fall 2021 Greek and non-affiliated NIU students tailgate outside the Huskie Stadium for a football game. NIU has seen Greek involvement decline sharply since its peak in the 1990s, with less than 700 Greek members reported in the 2020-2021 academic year. (Northern Star File Photo)

New Greek Life Center approved for Annie Glidden neighborhood

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – NIU has finally entered the approval stages of building its first Greek Life Center in the Annie Glidden neighborhood near Greek Row. The city approved a redevelopment agreement at the July 10 DeKalb City Council meeting which was the first...