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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

Storm clouds roll over the Miller Spectacular Shows Midway at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Aug. 12, 2021, in Springfield. The 2023 Illinois State Fair saw over 700,000 attendees during the 11-day event. (Justin L. Fowler | Associated Press)

2023 Illinois State Fair sees highest turnout in years

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | September 13, 2023

DeKALB– The 2023 Illinois State Fair set a historic high this past month with a turnout of over 700,000 attendees, making it the most highly attended fair since industry standards were put in place. According to Illinois State Fair records, attendance...

The Illinois Capitol Building sits in the sun. The SAFE-T Act, going into effect on Sept. 18, will eliminate cash bail in Illinois. (Getty Images)

Illinois to become first US state to eliminate cash bail

By Gabby Crabtree, News Editor | September 8, 2023

DeKALB – July 18, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court voted a 5-2 ruling to pass the SAFE-T Act. This bill will be going into effect on September 18, 2023, during a press conference.  The SAFE-T Act is filled with many different changes to the Illinois...

A hammer and nails sitting on a tiled roof. Gov. J.B. Pritzker started a program in parts of Illinois that can provide funding for residential repairs.

Pritzker launches home repair accessibility program

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 26, 2023

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office has provided $15.3 million in funding for a home repair and accessibility program called the Home Repair and Accessibility Program which aims at helping low-income homeowners. According to the Illinois Housing...

Pritzker’s school Medicare expansion approved

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 23, 2023

DeKALB – An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but increased medical coverage doesn’t hurt. The Biden administration has approved Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal on increased funds for Medicaid-enrolled students in Illinois. The expansion...

Illinois Representative Jeff Keicher (left), NIU President Lisa Freeman and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in conversation after a press conference Tuesday. During this press conference, Pritzker spoke on college funding and ensuring affordable education for Illinois students. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Pritzker discusses college funding at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 4, 2023

Editor's note: This piece was updated at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday to include more information. DeKALB – With a historic push on higher education, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized the funding that his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget...

Altgeld Hall was built on June 10, 1896, and is home to the Board of Trustees room. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Pritzker moves to increase MAP grants in FY24 budget

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | February 16, 2023

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced in the annual State of the State Address that there will be an increase in higher education funding and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) in his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget. During a live broadcast of the...

The building location for the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability, northwest of the Convocation Center. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU receives $15 million for $23 million sustainability center

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | December 14, 2022

DeKALB – NIU has received $15 million from the Illinois government to fund the university’s $23 million sustainability center. The center will be approximately 30,000 square feet located on the west side of campus, northwest of the Convocation...

Cannabis market could aid DeKalb

By Payton Higgins | September 22, 2019

DeKalb’s decision to allow the cannabis market into the county could ultimately revitalize DeKalb’s economy and NIU’s appeal to current and prospective students.The DeKalb City Council met Sept. 9 for a Committee of the Whole meeting, where it discussed...

Democratic candidate for state representative pushes for bipartisan collaboration

By Dan Doren | September 6, 2019

Paul Stoddard, a DeKalb County Board member running for state representative of the 70th Illinois House district in 2020, had his campaign kick-off event 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 720 Somonauk Street in Sycamore. There, Stoddard gave a speech on his reasons...

This Feb. 17, 2016 file photo shows marijuana plants at a home in Honolulu. A growing majority of Americans say marijuana should be legal, underscoring a national shift as more states embrace cannabis for medical or recreational use. Illinois lawmakers working to legalize recreational marijuana have hit a potential snag: whether to allow people to grow a few pot plants for personal use. The 10 states that have legalized recreational marijuana have different home grow rules, with Michigan allowing individuals to grow as many as 12 plants and Washington state not allowing them to grow any. Home grow opponents say it fuels the black market. Proponents say people should be able to grow it if businesses sell it. (AP Photo/Marina Riker, File)

Recreational marijuana legislation passes Illinois General Assembly, to go to governor

By Associated Press | May 31, 2019

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on action in the Illinois General Assembly (all times local):2:35 p.m.The Illinois House has sent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker another victory by voting to legalize recreational marijuana use.The 66-47 tally Friday...

Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker, (center) talks Dec. 13 with President Donald Trump during a meeting with newly elected governors in the Cabinet Room of the White House. 

Pritzker plans to allocate additional $50M to MAP grant funding

By Kierra Frazier | March 31, 2019

Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker, (center) talks Dec. 13 with President Donald Trump during a meeting with newly elected governors in the Cabinet Room of the White House. 

MAP grant funding was much needed

MAP grant funding was much needed

By Ashley Hines | March 1, 2019

It is imperative Illinois policy-makers continue prioritizing higher education since it will help not only students, but the recovering economy as well.Illinois high school graduates over the past decade have been choosing to attend out-of-state colleges...