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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media 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

New laws affect university life

By Noah Johnson | January 15, 2020

DeKALB — Over 250 new laws went into effect in Illinois at the start of the new year, some of which impact higher education in Illinois.Retention of Illinois Students and Equity ActHB 2691 allows transgender and undocumented students to be eligible...

Smith addresses city projects

Smith addresses city projects

By Kierra Frazier | January 15, 2020

DeKALB — Mayor Jerry Smith announced that the cooperation between the City of DeKalb and NIU “has rarely been better” during his State of the City address at Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting.“We do not use the term communiversity...

University to hold 125th anniversary event

By Ashley Dwy | January 12, 2020

DeKALB — To celebrate the 125th anniversary of NIU, a reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Holmes Student Center.There will be refreshments and historical displays, and both Mission and “Mini Mish” will be in attendance, according...

Sycamore residents Katy Kingren (left) and Mel Roethlisberger stand with protest signs Thursday night at the corner of Lincoln Highway and First Street to oppose the U.S. going to war with Iran.

Residents attend anti-war protest

By Haley Galvin & Kurt Bitting | January 12, 2020

DeKALB — DeKalb and Sycamore residents attended a rally 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the corner of Lincoln Highway and First Street to stand against President Donald Trump’s actions involving Iran, particularly when the administration said it would...

Map illustrates federal law

Map illustrates federal law

By Noah Johnson | January 12, 2020

DeKALB — A Smoke and Drug Free map provided by the university outlines all on-campus areas where adult-use and possession of cannabis will continue to be illegal despite changes in state law.Illinois law, which allows adults age 21 and over to possess...

Graduate students can form unions

By Dan Doren, News Reporter | January 12, 2020

DeKALB — Graduate and research assistants at Illinois public universities can now legally unionize with the start of the new year.A recent amendment to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act redefines the term “student” to no longer include...

Life of late staffer remembered

Life of late staffer remembered

By Kierra Frazier | January 12, 2020

DeKALB — For the past 11 years, Mark Matuszewski spent his career as a staff psychologist at Counseling and Consultation Services helping students find their way through difficult times.A celebration of life service for Mark was held 11 a.m. Saturday...

Tuition rates frozen for sixth straight year

By Dan Doren, News Reporter | December 27, 2019

DeKALB — Tuition rates for undergraduate students will remain frozen at $348.84 per credit hour for the sixth year in a row.The Board of Trustees approved NIU President Lisa Freeman’s recommendation to keep tuition rates flat for fiscal year 2021...

Grand jury declines to indict DeKalb Police officer

By Noah Johnson | December 21, 2019

DeKALB — Charges against a DeKalb Police Officer involved in Elonte McDowell’s arrest have been declined by a grand jury. An internal review of the incident will be conducted to determine if the officer followed the department’s policies and procedures.  A...

Alleged rapist seeks new sentence

By Kierra Frazier | December 9, 2019

DeKALB — A former Sycamore man who is currently serving a 55-year prison sentence is seeking a retrial after being charged for abducting a former student at gunpoint and raping her at his home in 2001.April 25, 2001, Todd Allgood, a 51-year-old former...

Photos from a WNIJ public records request to the DeKalb County Health Department. Photos were sent to Health Department officials at various times via email since 2016. Photos and emails do not reflect internal remedial efforts made in response by Suburban management or maintenance crews, and it’s unclear whether management was made aware of tenant concerns before tenants reached out to the health department.

Tenants living in unincorporated apartments report health concerns to county

By Sarah Jesmer | December 9, 2019

Editor's note: This story is part of a collaboration with WNIJ. Listen to this story's radio broadcast here. Read News Editor Noah Thornburgh's story here. Listen to WNIJ's broadcast on why we came to this story here.DeKALB — County renters and landlords...

Board approves arts fee

By Dan Doren, News Reporter | December 8, 2019

DeKALB — Students might have to pay a new fee with the arrival of fiscal year 2021 but should also expect to see a decrease in charges on the whole.The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a recommendation regarding the costs of student general...