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Monday, May 13, 2013
CLASS 1A H-BR REGIONAL PREVIEW
NIU’S STEM OUTREACH • LOCAL, A2
Underdogs Indian Creek, Hiawatha look to upset H-BR
Science sparks children’s creativity at electric lab event
Sports, B1
Hawks’ pitcher Mike Mercado
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Graduates take the stage
Charges filed in child porn case By DAVID THOMAS dthomas@shawmedia.com
Rob Winner – rwinner@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois University College of Engineering and Engineering Technology graduate Nick Skuban socializes with his peers Saturday inside the Convocation Center before commencement in DeKalb.
Some students survived tough times to make the walk was all worth it. “This is something nobody can take from me ever,” Skuban said. Learning didn’t always happen in the classroom. What helped keep Skuban’s interest in his classwork was applying engineering knowledge to side projects. Among his many creations is an automated beer-brewing system and a kegerator with a digital display. Alexander “Guide” Sobecki also didn’t seem like he was going to make it at first. He said he was told in high school that he would not graduate, but now he holds
By FELIX SARVER fsarver@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Graduating from Northern Illinois University was like a dream for Nick Skuban. Skuban was a mechanical engineering major at NIU, and he was struggling enough with some classes that he failed a couple of them. But after five years of hard work, Skuban joined about 2,500 other NIU students Saturday at their graduation ceremony. As he received his diploma at the Convocation Center, he believed it
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two degrees in corporate communications and sociology. Sobecki credits his hard work. “There’s no genius; there’s no gift,” Sobecki said. “I’m not superior in any way. I just looked at what was in front of me and worked at it.” During his time at NIU, Sobecki traveled to Africa and China through the NIU Study Abroad program. He worked as a community adviser who trained more than 150 other community advisers, and he was a Northern Lights ambassador. He also studied Mandarin and Malay.
He said his success has not gone to his head, and he is a down-to-earth guy who likes to eat bison burgers at the Junction Eating Place in DeKalb. Presiding over his last graduation ceremony was NIU President John Peters. Peters will retire June 30 after 13 years. “When John shakes the last student’s hand later [Saturday], he will have the privilege of conveying 72,000 degrees during his tenure as president,” said John
See GRADUATES, page A3
You will contribute much more meaningfully in your roles as parents, partners and community leaders if you put a premium on continuing your own personal and intellectual growth. John Peters, outgoing Northern Illinois University president
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SYCAMORE – A Sycamore police investigation that began with a tip from a national child advocacy center has resulted in child pornography charges against a Sycamore man. Sycamore police arrested Andrew G. Thompson, 26, of the 1100 block of Jenny Drive in Sycamore, on Thursday after receiving a tip April 25 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Thompson was released on bond Friday afternoon. Sycamore Detective Sgt. Rod Swartzendruber said Sunday that the department occasionally receives tips from the center, which are then forwarded to the department’s Internet crimes investigator. The center has software that can detect when a computer user is downloading child pornography, Swartzendruber said. That information was passed to Sycamore police, who continued the investigation through subpoenas. Swartzendruber said a search of Thompson’s home north of Sycamore uncovered 11 files considered child pornography on a computer owned by Thompson. “We’re going to forensically examine his computer and the evidence we took,” Swartzendruber said. “It’s possible more charges could be filed later.” State law distinguishes among different types of child pornography – and their penalties – depending on the age of the victims and the format of the material. The child pornography charges against Thompson are Class 3 felonies, which under Illinois’ child pornography law carry a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $100,000. This particular charge is made when the violations do not involve “a film, videotape, or other moving depiction,” according to Illinois criminal code. If convicted, Thompson faces two to five years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years upon being released. Swartzendruber said he did not know whether all of the files were pictures. He said the victims appeared to be younger than age 18. Swartzendruber said Thompson is a full-time student, but he did not identify which school.
Lt. Gov. Simon voices support for medical marijuana in Ill. By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press CHICAGO – Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon said she is in favor of a bill allowing the medical use of marijuana, saying Sunday that testimony from seriously ill veterans and other patients helped change her mind. “As a former prosecutor my first reaction was, ‘I’m not interested in changing our laws on medical marijuana,’ ” she told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday. But she said that after hearing from patients and reading up on the bill, she’s convinced the regulations are strict enough. Backers of the measure, which has cleared the Illinois House and
awaits a Senate vote, have said the same thing. The plan, touted as the strictest in the nation among states that have legalized medical marijuana, would authorize physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients with whom they have an existing relationship and who are living with at least one of more than 30 medical conditions, including cancer. The proposal creates a framework for a pilot program that includes requiring patients and caregivers to undergo background checks. It also sets a 2.5-ounce limit per patient, per purchase and sets out state-regulated dispensaries. Supporters say marijuana can relieve continual pain without the
detrimental side effects of prescription drugs. But opponents say the program could encourage recreational use, especially among teenagers. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association are opposed to the measure, saying there’s no sure way to figure out whether a motorist is driving under the influence of marijuana. But Simon told the AP the bill is strict enough to prevent misuse. “It does a good job of both getting medical marijuana to people who need it and keeping it away from those who don’t,” she said. Gov. Pat Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, has been noncommittal wheth-
er he would sign the bill, saying instead that he is open-minded to the idea. Simon is weighing a run for another statewide office instead of seeking another term as lieutenant governor. The Carbondale Democrat declined Sunday to say which office she will run for, saying she will wait to see how things races shape up. Simon is likely choosing between Illinois attorney general, comptroller or treasurer. In recent months, Simon has played up her law-related background and accomplishments, including as a pro bono lawyer and prosecutor. Her decision comes as the 2014 governor’s race is heating up and Il-
AP photo
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon attends a Senate Executive Committee hearing Wednesday on medical marijuana at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. linois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is weighing a possible challenge to Quinn.
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