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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

Dark substance floats up toward the Illinois state flag while light and heart-shaped flowers burst from the top of the flag. The Northern Star Editorial Board encourages other states to dedicate government action toward addressing hate crimes, as Illinois will do with the Help Stop Hate program. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Northern Star Graphic)

Editorial: Help Stop Hate program heads Illinois in right direction

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | November 19, 2024

With recent political unrest, hate crime is at a record high. Action needs to be taken to lower this number. Illinois’ launch of the “Help Stop Hate” program is a step in the right direction. “We are here today to officially launch Help Stop...

An outline of Illinois is filled with a depiction of Lake Michigan's shoreline, healthy with green vegetation, clear waters and avian wildlife. The Northern Star Editorial Board applauds the state of Illinois' financial dedication to preserving the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline. (Jayce Weir | Northern Star)

Editorial: Mother Earth wins with Illinois’ preservation plan

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | November 12, 2024

The recent decision by the state of Illinois to spend $73 million to preserve the only undeveloped stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline is a valuable investment in environmental sustainability and community well-being.  As urban development continues...

Senior setter Ella Mihacevich rises up to hit the volleyball in a Saturday matchup against the University of Illinois. (Scott Walstrom | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Volleyball begins Parys’ era winless

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – The debut of NIU volleyball’s first-year head coach Sondra Parys has come and gone, and the Huskies remain winless to begin the tenure of their new leader. More than nine months after missing out on a MAC Tournament bid by four tiebreakers...

The SAFE-T Act, signed into Illinois law in 2021, will eliminate cash bail starting Jan. 1, 2023.

Illinois’ SAFE-T act and cash bail explained

By Evan Mellon, News Reporter | November 17, 2022

A new piece of legislation that aims to end the cash bail system in Illinois has drawn controversy from some due to concerns that it might increase violence. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, also known as the SAFE-T Act, was...

The Workers' Rights Amendment appeared on the 2022 midterm ballot and passed with a majority vote.

Workers’ Rights Amendment passes in Illinois

By Eddie Drinkwine | November 15, 2022

DeKALB – Amendment 1, or the Workers' Rights Amendment, passed on Nov. 14 with 58% of the vote, making Illinois the fourth state, along with Hawaii, Missouri and New York, to ensure the right to collective bargaining in its constitution and the first...

Join the Northern Star for 2022 midterm election coverage

Join the Northern Star for 2022 midterm election coverage

By Colin Kempsell | October 17, 2022

With Election Day approaching on Nov. 8, political campaigns in the state of Illinois will continue to escalate through the end of the month and beyond. Join the Northern Star in comprehensive election coverage, from local races in DeKalb to the gubernatorial...

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives the public the right to access certain records from any federal or state agency

What is ‘FOIA’?

By Eddie Drinkwine | October 6, 2022

DeKALB – It’s common to hear a journalist say they’re going to ‘FOIA’ something. But what does ‘FOIA-ing’ something mean? The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives the public the right to access certain records from any federal...

Columnist Arduini believes monetary bail only furthers the gap between the rich and poor as low-income individuals are less likely to be able to afford bail.

Unpopular Opinion: Ending cash bail will benefit Illinoisans

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | September 21, 2022

Illinois’ elimination of cash bail will benefit many of its residents. On Jan. 22, 2021, the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to make changes regarding the state’s...

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) wants families to review their emergency plans and build an emergency kit. | Getty Images

Build an Emergency Kit for National Preparedness Month

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | September 14, 2022

DeKALB — September is National Preparedness Month and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) wants families to review their emergency plans and build an emergency kit.  Director of the IEMA Alicia Tate-Nadeau released a statement regarding...

Canadian geese in Will County are the first to be infected with bird flu this year.

USDA reports first 2022 avian flu case in Illinois

By Northern Star Staff | March 11, 2022

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), were made aware by USDA Wildlife Services of the first confirmed case of avian flu in a wild bird in the state of Illinois this year. The birds...

Illinois Judge Robert Adrian threw away Drew Clinton's conviction of sexual assault. He said that five months was enough punishment for the teenager.

Drew Clinton’s overturn is a loss for sexual abuse survivors

By Summer Fitzgerald | January 19, 2022
Drew Clinton was let off far too easily for a crime that was so severe and impactful.

NIU Baseball to see upgrades

By Justin Kelley | February 19, 2020

DeKALB — NIU athletics announced Wednesday that the baseball program will be getting upgrades in the near future. NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier announced the plan will happen in four phases.“Over the past several...