DC_MidWeek_011823

Former D-428 board member seeking new term knocked from April election ballot

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Former DeKalb School District 428 board member Howard Solomon was knocked from the April 4 ballot recently when the DeKalb County Electoral Board ruled on objections filed against his attempt for a new term.

The Electoral Board hearing convened last week at the DeKalb County Courthouse and included DeKalb County Clerk Tasha Sims, Assistant State’s Attorney David Berault and Supervisor Deputy Clerk for Circuit Clerk Colleen McConnaughay.

The objections to Solomon’s filing were filed by DeKalb resident Mark Charvat. The objection alleged Solomon didn’t properly specify his petition was for District 428, included invalid signatures of people who don’t live in the district’s voting boundaries and didn’t include proper district designations for signatures.

Solomon said that while he’s disappointed in the electoral board’s decision, he plans to remain a write-in candidate for the

No holiday-related fires in Sycamore during holiday season

SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Fire Department recently announced that there were no holiday-related fires that required any bulbs to be replaced on the station wreath during the department’s Red Wreath Program.

The Sycamore Fire Department participated in the Red Wreath Program from

school board.

“I have to choose a different path, one within the law,” Solomon said. “That different path is to begin to work as a write-in candidate and to seek the general agreement and even the endorsement of key groups that may send many people to the polls in order to be written in enough times to actually make it over the threshold of candidacy that I am currently denied because of my having only gotten 48 signatures.”

In its decision, the board ruled that Solomon’s nomination documents failed to identify the name of the specific DeKalb County school district he was vying for, rendering nine of 57 submitted signatures for his candidate petition invalid. Illinois law requires municipal candidates to receive 50 valid signatures for ballot consideration.

After the board’s ruling, Solomon’s candidate papers did not hold enough signatures to meet the requirements to remain on the ballot.

Solomon said he views the uphill climb

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, through Jan. 2, according to a new release.

While the Sycamore Fire Department experienced no holiday-related fires, there were 330 requests for emergency service, with 255 of those requests for emergency medical services responses, 21 for motor vehicle accident responses and 14 for non-holiday fire-related responses.

Sycamore fire officials issued thanks to

of being a write-in candidate as an opportunity.

“It does take a lot of work,” Solomon said. “It also takes a lot of work to be a board member. I think by demonstrating that I am electable as a board member as a write-in, I am also demonstrating that I am willing to deal with the need for a lot of work should it arise.”

It remains up in the air whether Solomon will appeal the electoral board’s decision. He was represented by Anna Wilhelmi, an attorney also serving as chairman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party.

“On the advice of the person who was my attorney at the hearing, I would reconsider anything that appears to be a solid decision,” Solomon said. “I was represented very well. If she has the opportunity to see something that would allow me to make it to the ballot, I will cooperate with her decisions. But I’m not going to specifically introduce it myself unless I have heard from my attorney that I have a good opportunity to get this overturned.”

Sycamore residents for heeding holiday safety tips.

The Sycamore Fire Department places a red wreath at each of its stations to represent the number of holiday-related fires that occur during the holiday season.

For information, call 815-895-4514 or visit the Sycamore Fire Department’s Facebook page.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

ShawLocal.com

121 W Lincoln Highway DeKalb, IL 60115 833-584-NEWS

Office hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 866-979-1053 subscriptions@shawsuburban.com 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to noon Saturday

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The MidWeek is delivered free of charge to households throughout DeKalb County every Wednesday. Those who do not wish to receive delivery may contact customer service at 866-979-1053, or subscriptions@shawsuburban.com, to request a delivery stop.

SUBMIT NEWS readit@midweeknews.com

CLASSIFIED SALES classified@shawlocal.com

HELP WANTED employment@shawlocal.com

LEGAL NOTICES midweeklegals@shawlocal.com

RETAIL ADVERTISING jringness@shawmedia.com

OBITUARIES

midweekobits@shawlocal.com

Editor Emily Ayers 815-526-4411 eayers@shawmedia.com

The Midweek and ShawLocal.com are a division of Shaw Media.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2023

ON THE COVER

Angela Orstead, 2, of Big Rock, plays in the water June 14, 2021, at the Sycamore Park District’s Splash Fountain. The district is marking its 100th anniversary in 2023 and officials have said there will be events highlighting the milestonel throughout the year.

See story, page 6.

File photo by Mark Busch

– mbusch@shawmedia.com

CORRECTIONS

Accuracy is important to The Midweek and it wants to correct mistakes promptly. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411, or email readit@midweeknews.com.

the eye of democracy’

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – DeKalb City Clerk Sasha Cohen “spit in the eye of democracy” by not showing up to work, DeKalb Alderwoman Carolyn Morris said last week as the City Council censured the clerk in a sharp and public rebuke, alleging his consistent disregard for his elected duties.

Morris spoke as the DeKalb City Council voted unanimously to censure the clerk for allegedly abandoning his duties he was elected to perform after he ran unopposed on the ballot in April 2021. The City Council also approved several changes to the city’s municipal code, changing references to city clerk instead to “Recording Secretary” or “Executive Assistant,” a move meant to solidify the city employee holds that role the power, under local law, to perform clerical duties.

Several council members issued strong criticism to the clerk, who’s serving in his first elected role in DeKalb.

“This is really emotional because I feel like what you have done is spit in the eye of democracy,” Morris said. “You have taken the taxpayers’ trust. You have taken the city’s trust, everyone who supported you and walked all over it and spit on freedom that I value very highly.”

Morris’ rebuke comes amid a months-long controversy in which Cohen’s job performance had been ques-

tioned by city leaders. The council’s decision allows the recording secretary to perform the city clerk’s duties whether or not the clerk is present or absent for the remainder of his fouryear term, city documents state.

The clerk tried to defend his track record, saying the city is making a concerted effort to stop him from doing his job.

“There is no reasonable contention that I am not asserting or acting as the city clerk at this time,” Cohen said. “Perhaps two months ago prior to my return, you may have had a more reasonable grounds for doing so. But at this point, the circumstances and facts have changed.”

City records show Cohen missed seven of 19 city meetings in 2019. Of those, four absences were without notice or explanation. In 2022, he missed 23 of 26 meetings through Nov. 28, according to city documents.

Critique has followed the clerk consistently through his time in office, including for his absences, record-keeping and controversial opinions about police. He offered a public apology in August 2021 for his slack in duties, pledging to do better.

“I’m very upset by this because you committed that you would do better than this, you committed to us something,” Morris said. “In your role, you have the opportunity to make elected

Mark Busch file photo – mbusch@shawmedia.com

DeKalb City Clerk Sasha Cohen talks on the phone Dec. 12, 2022, to someone regarding his being replaced as the person to accept candidate filings at City Hall.

Drone

pilot to present photos Jan. 22 at Glidden Homestead

DeKALB – The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s next Soup-er Sunday program will feature local drone pilot Bob Myers.

The homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, will host the program at noon Sunday, Jan. 22, according to a news release.

Admission to the program is free for homestead members and $5 for nonmembers.

Myers will share a variety of images that he has taken throughout the county with his drone. He is a licensed drone pilot through the Federal Aviation Administration and has completed numerous drone-related training courses from the FAA and the National Fire Protection Agency.

Myers also completed a multiple-day course on aerial photography using drones. He has taught college classes covering topics from basic drone flight to preparation for students to get their FAA drone license.

Myers has completed more than 4,500 drone flights, including search and rescues, river surveys, “in progress” photos at construction sites, traffic acci-

dent scenes and parades for local police departments.

Proceeds from the program will support the homestead. Soup will be served during the program.

The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is a nonprofit organization working to preserve the home and barn while providing educational opportunities to the public.

The homestead is open from noon to

4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of the month.

For information, call 815-756-7904, visit gliddenhomestead.org, or visit the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Facebook page.

Knights of Columbus to host breakfast fundraiser Jan. 22

DeKALB – The DeKalb Knights of Columbus will partner with St. Mary

Catholic School to host a pancake breakfast fundraiser.

The fundraiser will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Knights of Columbus, 1336 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, according to a news release.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the school’s seventh and eighth grade class trip to Washington, D.C., in April.

The breakfast includes an all-youcan-eat buffet of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, orange juice and coffee.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children age 12 and younger. Tickets can be bought from school families, DeKalb Knights, at the door, or online at st-mary-home-school-fundraisers. myshopify.com.

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization dedicated to promoting and conducting educational, charitable, religious and social welfare works.

St. Mary Catholic School educates students from 3-year-old preschool through eighth grade.

For information, call 815-756-7905 or visit stmaryschooldekalb.org.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Photo provided by J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center

This drone image of DeKalb was taken by Bob Myers, who will speak at a program Jan. 22 at the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center in DeKalb.

DeKalb residents rally to reflect on Jan. 6 insurrection 2 years later

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Demonstrators in DeKalb gathered Friday, Jan. 6, to mark a grim anniversary.

Many said the day in history serves as a reminder of the troubles that follow a democracy that doesn’t work for everyone.

Demonstrators gathered at Memorial Park in downtown DeKalb, also known as “peace corner,” to mark two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., leading to five deaths and injuring more than 138 police officers.

“I do think [democracy for all] is our best chance,” DeKalb resident Cynthia de Seife said. “Democracy isn’t working for everybody. But we spend a lot of time trying to bring information to the public, so those of us who feel disenfranchised by the government know how to engage, how to get involved, so they can make themselves known.”

The insurrection followed a summer of civil unrest and controversy over the 2020 election, after which Republican former President Donald Trump and his supporters falsely claimed that the election had been stolen by Democrat President Joe Biden.

Since that time, local efforts to drum up support for democracy have been planned by local groups such as REACT (Responsive Engagement Activating Civic Talent) and the League of Women Voters in DeKalb County.

De Seife said the demonstration held in DeKalb coincided with similar events organized by various groups across the nation.

The crowd, gathered at the corner

of First Street and Lincoln Highway, included Anita Zurbrugg, who hoisted a sign.

She said she felt compelled to come to the event because she cares a lot about the country.

“I think too many of us don’t take our history seriously and our responsibilities seriously enough to stand up and step out,” Zurbrugg said. “I think a lot of us don’t know our history and

don’t know how hard those before us fought and worked to make our country what it is.”

Zurbrugg said she follows developments in local, state and federal government closely.

DeKalb resident Brian Nigbor stood holding a sign during the event. He recalled that on Jan. 6 two years ago he was at his mom’s house when he turned on his TV to find a riot.

“I was personally shocked at the lack of protection and the surprise,” Nigbor said.

Nigbor acknowledged that not everyone may believe democracy is working for the greater good. He said he’s gotten to know several Trump supporters living in a town with a larger conservative population.

“For them, the democracy is not working,” Nighbor. “A lot of those people are reasonable, intelligent people that are looking at things from a different point of view. But a lot of the core issues when you talk to them are not much different than the core issues people have here – the loss of the middle class, increase of drugs just everywhere and so many shared problems. I came to find that once you weeded out stuff, you did have people on that extreme ends that are going to be irreconcilable but it’s always like that.”

NIU Art Museum

Stories from My Childhood

Nov. 29-Dec. 17 and Jan. 10-Feb. 17

School of Art and Design Community College Show

Annette and Jerry Johns Gallery

Jack Arends Hall and virtually - niu.edu/art Jan. 15 - Feb. 4

Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Members of Responsive Engagement Activating Civic Talent, along with other demonstrators hold signs and wave at passing cars Friday, Jan. 6, during a Stand for Democracy demonstration at Memorial Park in downtown DeKalb.

YEARS TO REMEMBER

Sycamore Park District gears up to celebrate 100 years

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Sycamore Park District is marking its 100th anniversary in 2023 and district officials have said there will be events highlighting the milestone throughout the year.

Theresa Tevsh, superintendent of recreational services at the Sycamore Park District, said the celebratory events have been in the works since December 2021.

“We started putting into place, gathering history people, events that have been a part of the park district over the last hundred years,” Tevsh said.

In order to be able to highlight the park district’s history, the Sycamore Park District tapped the DeKalb County History Center for help.

Michelle Donahoe, history center executive director, said a century ago there was a general movement throughout the state of Illinois to establish park districts. Donahoe said there were several community leaders who challenged Sycamore to either go forward or go backward with the trends of the time.

“Once the decision was made to have a park district here, it was full steam ahead,” Donahoe said. “The community leaders were involved, local businesses were involved, the chamber was very involved ... it was all hands on deck to make this successful.”

The DeKalb County History Center wasn’t the only local entity brought in for the special occasion. OC Creative – a DeKalb-based marketing agency that provides digital branding and video services – was contracted by the Sycamore Park District to film district events throughout the year for a video-focused, social media campaign showcasing the district’s anniversary.

“We tried to find centurions, or those that are pretty close to it, that can speak to ‘Oh, we remember ice skating on the Kish,’ or ‘I remember the first baseball game,’” Tevsh said. “So it’s been a year of making this video that will come out in 2023 as part of our 100th anniversary celebration.”

On top of the video, Tevsh said the district’s annual fan favorites, like the Thursday night concert series, will be enhanced with centennial flair this year. Tevsh said people come out early to the concerts hosted at the Good Tymes Shelter, so the district is working on creating games to engage the crowd before the music commences.

“We’re still working on details with that. There’s always drinking involved because we have mainly adults out there but there probably will be an adult as well as a kids competition where we can use of all the really fun amenities out at the Good Tymes Shelter location,” Tevsh said.

The park district will also be holding events to celebrate the anniversary, including last weekend’s Fire and Ice Festival. That event featured sled dog races and a chili cook-off.

In February, there will be the annual Sweetheart Dance and in March a spring mailer from the district will have

the year-long lineup of the 100th anniversary celebration events. Among the events with a to-be-determined date is a fireworks show.

“It’ll be, call it post Fourth of July. It’ll be sometime later in the summer,” Tevsh said.

Class A Professional Golf Association professional Kirk Lundbeck – also the district’s superintendent for golf operations – said it’s significant for him to work for the district during its centennial celebrations. Lundbeck also conducts the DeKalb Municipal Band’s annual fireworks show in DeKalb.

“It’s very meaningful for me to be

mbusch@shawmedia.com

here,” Lundbeck, 64, said. “I wasn’t born in Sycamore, but I moved here in sixth grade and this was home to me. I would come here all the time, I would come here everyday.”

Lundbeck said it was very easy for him to find something to do at the Sycamore Park District back in the early 1970s. The Sycamore High School Class of ’76 graduate said the positive experience he had with the park district while growing up influenced his career decisions later in life, because he jumped on the opportunity when he

Mark Busch file photo –

Shelby Johnson and her son, Will, 6, of Sycamore, sled down the hill with their dog Millie in hot pursuit Feb. 2, 2022, at the Sycamore Park District Community Center.

• PARK DISTRICT

Continued from page 6

heard that the course he grow up playing on in Sycamore was seeking a worker.

After spending more than 20 years running golf operations with the Sycamore Park District, Lundbeck said the district offers much more than just golf.

“I see so much that we offer now as

a park district – not just a golf course, but as a park district – and I’m so happy to be a part of that,” Lundbeck said. “Because we cater to all ages, we cater to all abilities, we cater to all different sports, we cater to seniors, we

do young children, we cover the gambit of recreational activities in this community, and I’m very lucky to be a part of that organization that gives so much back to the people who live here.”

Photos provided by the Joiner History Room and DeKalb County History Center

LEFT: People gather for the dedication of Sycamore Park in 1923. RIGHT: People ice skate in the Sycamore Park District.

are committed to finding the right hearing solution for each person who comes through our door. With the FLEX:TRIAL™ program, you can find out if hearing aids will make a difference in the places you live, work and play – for free! We’re dedicated to providing people with the information needed to make an informed decision. Together we’ll choose the solution that makes the most sense for you.

LOOKING BACK

1923 – 100 YEARS AGO

Through a real estate transaction consummated yesterday, Edgar B. Still becomes the owner of the Ronan building at Fourth and Lincoln Highway occupied by the DeKalb Trust & Savings bank, Gust Youngstead the tailor, and Pat Kennedy, with the Moose occupying the second floor, and the third floor at this time unoccupied, but formerly used as the armory for the I. R. M.

Although the date of the baby clinic at the American Steel & Wire company was advanced one day this week, yesterday instead of today, there was a very good attendance of the mothers of the city, who have their babies examined, weighed and measured once a week. These clinics, under the supervision of the steel company doctor and nurse, have proved beneficial in many ways and many mothers have been able to keep their babies in better health during the winter months, when the little ones are susceptible to illness.

Work on the county jail is almost completed now according to Sheriff Crawford this morning, who says the place looks just like new and a wonderful change has been noticed. The lower floor has been redecorated in a light color and looks just as inviting and pleasant as any home one might enter. Other work is being done in the jail and that, too, is near completion.

Three new windows will be installed this week at the county treasurer’s office to be used mainly during the rush season when the taxes will be payable. The windows will be protected by steel bars trimmed in gold with an enlargement in the middle for the exchanging of business matters. Three cashiers will be stationed at each window to take care of the money when it arrives from the different portions of the county. Another alteration will be the installing of a large door in the extreme eastern part of the office.

Many schoolchildren both in the village of Malta and in country schools are out of school this week, due to the mumps. At the present time the disease seems to have secured a grip in Malta, as in almost every home there is at least one case. Although no cases are very serious, it will compel the children to stay in their homes for some time and lose out on their school studies. It is thought that the next week or so a greater portion of the children will be able to return and take up their studies.

1948 – 75 YEARS AGO

It must be too cold to even get into trouble as the police blotter this morning showed but little activity of a startling nature yesterday through late this morning. An accident and an ambulance call constituted the business from noon yesterday to midnight and the only notation today was a call for the ambulance about 9:30 o’clock this morning.

Warren Wood of Hinckley had the misfortune of cutting his hand quite badly while working on his truck. Sixteen stitches were necessary to close the wound. He is suffering considerable pain.

Mr. Leatherby and family, of Lindenwood, moved into the house at the DeKalb Agricultural plant west of Esmond on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At 2:45 o’clock this morning the DeKalb fire department was called to 315 Taylor Street where a frame brooder house owned by Vernon Vesta was in flames. The fire had a strong start when discovered and was fanned by a strong wind. Considerable water was used but the fire had too strong a start and the brooder house was completely destroyed.

Heston Wesson of Victor, proved a co-operative dad Wednesday evening, taking the youngsters of the Wesson school for a bob sled ride, after which they all warmed up on cocoa and cookies served by Mrs. Wesson.

The Haish kindergarten is enjoying some Christmas remembrances received this year and will continue to enjoy them for years to come. Gregory Biss, who attends the kindergarten and his father Dr. Kurt Biss made the class a gift of records. These are produced under the direction of leading progressive educators and musicians, and are especially adapted to the interest and needs of children of kindergarten age.

1973 – 50 YEARS AGO

The DeKalb Park District Board of Commissioners approved a reduction in the summer recreation budget by $26,714, nearly a third of the total budgeted last year. The biggest cutback was in the swimming area with discontinuation of utilization of the high school pool. This cutback plus elimination of some maintenance help at Hopkins Park pool will result in a cutback of $19,818. Along with the discontinuation of using the high school pool will be a reduced cost in supervision, attendants, maintenance, utilities and rental cost.

Permanent baseball diamonds that are safe and properly maintained in a central location soon may

become a reality for Sycamore youths. Plans to construct a baseball complex located on newly acquired airport property have been announced by the Sycamore Little League, Pony League, Colt League and proposed Lassie League. The Sycamore Park District board has agreed to allot 24 acres of property to the benefit of the baseball programs in Sycamore.

Gordon W. Wetzel, vice-president and sales manager of Holub Industries, announced his pending retirement at a dinner given in his honor. His resignation is effective Jan. 31. Wetzel was the first employee of Holub Industries when the company was organized by Bert E. Holub in June 1946. The first product was industrial blowers.

1998 – 25 YEARS AGO

For several months last year, it looked as if enthusiasm toward the music scene in the DeKalb-Sycamore area had decreased. Fortunately, things are looking better for the musicians and the music. One example of improvements is a series of new record labels and recording studios in the area. Brad Benson, Zack Hamingson and Ben Webb, members of the band The Circus, have opened a new record label in Sycamore which has the potential to be a success. Circus Records is the latest locally owned label to open its doors to the public.

The DeKalb Safe Passage shelter is now a little safer, thanks to GTE Wireless. The telecommunications company, a sister corporation to GTE, has donated seven cellular phones and free air time to the shelter. The phones will be given to staff and clients to use in case of an emergency.

Groundbreaking for the DeKalb Regional Mall has been delayed for a third time, but the mall is still scheduled to open by fall 1999. There are also several design changes for the mall, to be built at the northwest corner of Peace Road and Fairview Drive.

Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center

Stagecoach Theatre on Barber Greene Road in DeKalb is pictured in September 1969.

office more accessible for people. I believe what you have done is make it less accessible and that is what is so disgusting to me about it.”

Mayor Cohen Barnes said the censure will allow the city to ensure consistency of clerical service.

“What we can control is to have accurate minutes submitted,” Barnes said. “What we can control is city business needs to continue on and on and on in a professional way. We absolutely haven’t gotten this over and over again. What we’ve gotten is someone who wants to cause disruption with the way the city of DeKalb does business.”

Social media posts show the $8,000 yearly salaried clerk spent much of the summer and fall working outside of Illinois. He said he’s self-employed outside of office.

Last month, the clerk was turned away as candidate election filing opened for the April election, with city leaders alleging he hadn’t been around enough to prepare for the job. Preparation for election work includes filing public notices for candidates, accepting and vetting nomination packets.

“[Cohen provided] no posting of where petitions could be submitted –

no date, no involvement whatsoever,” Barnes said. “[He] just shows up the day of. And ultimately, what I believe was probably to cause some turmoil in the election process itself. That is a sacred, sacred institution in the United States. We can’t have this anymore.”

After city officials refused the clerk access to accept nomination papers, Cohen sued the city Dec. 14, alleging officials had usurped his statutory rights. An emergency restraining order filed by Cohen against the city was denied by a DeKalb County judge days later.

The lawsuit filed by Cohen, who’s representing himself, will be heard at the DeKalb County Courthouse Feb. 1, however.

“The reality is that I believe this is a retaliatory action for the pending litigation and also may be an attempt to remove me from office prior to the hearing of an electoral board meeting on this [Jan. 13],” Cohen said. “I question whether this is a move to prevent me from serving on this board.”

The electoral board – composed of Cohen, 7th Ward Alderman Tony Faivre and Barnes – was set to hear objections filed against nomination petitions submitted by McAdams, who is seeking reelection. Petitions allege McAdams didn’t correctly bind his papers and submitted signatures of

voters outside of the 5th ward.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said he has lost confidence in Cohen.

“I may be wrong in this, but I think it’s illogical for any employer, and in this case, it’s the city of DeKalb, to trust that this person has their best interests, to trust that this person is acting in a professional manner,” Nicklas said.

In August 2019, the DeKalb City Council had the option to remove Cohen as an elected official, instead changing the part-time office, salaried

role to an appointed one. Morris and 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams voted down that proposal. The final City Council vote was against the proposal as city leaders chose instead to leave the job elected.

McAdams said, in retrospect, his decision would have been different.

“This council debated the role of our city clerk in 2019,” said McAdams, whose father served as a clerk in the village of Midlothian from 1985 to 2005. “I was brand new to the council, and the vote was quite contentious. If you recall, the debate centered around the question, ‘Does DeKalb still need a city clerk?’ I voted yes. If I had that vote back, I wouldn’t vote the same way today.”

Nicklas urged the council for its unanimous support of the resolution to censure Cohen.

“The evidence is deep and strong that this person has not any interest in serving the public he was sworn and that he swore to faithfully serve during his tenure hence the idea of the censure,” Nicklas said. “A censure is a statement of this body. That you don’t approve of this. That you find this to be so extraordinary in its lack of respect for the people to be served that this person should not be recognized as the one you trust to record the proceedings of these meetings.”

Dr. Z has been in the area for 29 years 15 Minutes West of Somo nauk

“The reality is that I believe this is a retaliatory action for the pending litigation and also may be an attempt to remove me from office prior to the hearing of an electoral board meeting on [Jan. 13].

I question whether this is a move to prevent me from serving on this board.”

Sasha Cohen DeKalb city clerk

NIU School of Theatre and Dance movie premieres Jan. 21

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance will soon premiere its original film production of Mark Twain’s “The $30,000 Bequest.”

The movie will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb, according to a news release.

The movie is open to the public.

Proceeds from the premiere will benefit the Melanie Parks Memorial Scholarship in Costume Design.

The movie, based on the story by Mark Twain, is set in a small town boasting about 6,000 residents, where a young couple lives.

Saladin and Electra are both practical and diligent in all their endeavors, and their lives are happy. One day, they receive news from a distant relative from a neighboring state, Tilbury Foster, who mentions that he will leave the couple a bequest of $30,000 in his will, provided they make no inqui-

ries about him and do not attend his funeral.

The film stars NIU School of Theatre and Dance alumni Josh Anderson, Joel Stanley Huff and Jessica Webb.

The screenplay was adapted by Alexander Gelman, costume design was done by Melanie Parks, production design was done by Terry McClellan, the film was edited by director of photography James S. Barker, and the film was executive produced by Rich Holly, then dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The movie was filmed in 2011 as part of a collaboration that included faculty, students and staff from the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts, the NIU School of Theatre and Dance, NIU Media Services and members of the NIU School of Music, who performed on the movie’s soundtrack.

Tickets cost $5; NIU students get in free. Tickets can be purchased at egyptiantheatre.org or at the door the night of the premiere.

University of Illinois Extensions offers home gardening webinars

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The University of Illinois Extension office’s Four Seasons Gardening program will offer three online webinar sessions on home gardening.

The webinars are free, although registration is required. To RSVP, visit go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons.

The gardening webinars will focus on the best practices for home gardening from University of Illinois Extension horticulture educators.

The featured webinar sessions are:

• “Pruning Shade Trees”: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. Participants will learn about pruning shade trees and basic pruning cuts, young tree pruning, and how to care for and prune mature trees.

• “Success with Indoor Plants”: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. Participants will learn how to create a healthy houseplant environment by selecting the right plants for indoor spaces, including cultural requirements, maintenance practices, and ornamental aspects of growing interior plants.

• “Basics of Home Composting”: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. Participants will explore the ins and outs of the decomposition process and how to turn waste into valuable organic matter by creating a compost pile.

Early accommodation requests for access needs are encouraged. To make a request, email aholsing@illinois. edu.

For information, visit go.illinois. edu/FourSeasons.

Nesquik

Chocolate ......20.1 oz.$595

Maruchan Instant Lunch –

Cheddar Cheese Flavor .................. 2.2 oz. 79¢

Zoup! Broth – All Flavors .............. 32 oz. $789

Read Canned 3-Bean Salad ............. 15 oz $179

Best Yet Cranberry Juice Cocktail .. 64 oz. $449

Best Yet Sliced Pears ................. 15.25 oz. $229

Blackburn’s Syrup – All Flavors ...... 24 oz. $349

Kellogg’s Variety Pack Cereal .... 10.94 oz. $739

Folgers Keurig Cups ...................... 12 pk. $899

Crisco Non-Stick Spray .................... 6 oz. $419

Jello Gelatin Dessert – All Flavors.... 3 oz. $139

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix ..................... 8.5 oz. 89¢

Prego Spaghetti Sauce –

All Flavors ......................................24 oz. $279

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ............ 7.25 oz. $229

Louie’s Giardiniera – Hot or Mild ... 16 oz. $559

Best Yet Seafood Cocktail Sauce ..... 12 oz. $199

S&W Popcorn Kernels ...................... 2 lb. $549

Velvet Paper Towels –

2-Ply 60 Sheets................................... roll $129

Renuzit Air Fresheners –

All Varieties .................................... 7 oz. $199

Tidy Cat Odor Control Cat Litter .... 20 lb. $829

Wholesomes Rewards Dog Treats –. .. 3 lb $599

Planning now for medical expenses after retirement

METRO CREATIVE

When individuals retire, they not only walk away from work, but also relinquish thier steady paychecks. For many, retirement can be a potentially risky financial endeavor. Saving for retirement is a great way to mitigate such risk, but unforeseen expenses, such as medical bills, can quickly derail a retirement plan.

Many people have a greater need for medical care as they get older. The Fidelity Investments Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate indicates health care can be one of the biggest expenses a person will take on in retirement. The average 65-year-old couple who retired in 2021 in the U.S. can expect to spend $300,000 on health care and medical expenses during retirement. The financial resource The Street says other studies suggest it’s wise for retirees to plan to spend between $3,000 and $7,700 per year on health care.

Financial advisors warn that relying exclusively on Medicare to cover health care costs isn’t going to cut it. Benefits under the Medicare program often aren’t enough to pay for all of a retiree’s needs. There may be gaps for chronic treatment of illnesses and specialty treatment for certain conditions. Long-term care services also typically are not covered. It’s important to note that Medicare will cover general doctor’s visits, but it does not cover the cost of deductibles or copays.

Individuals need to be proactive and plan for medical expenses in retirement. After housing, health care

is the most significant expense for retirees. Health spending accounts and long-term health insurance are two options for people looking for ways to cover their health care costs in retirement.

As of 2022, people can contribute up to $3,650 for an individual or $7,300 for a family per year into a health savings account. After age 55, an additional $1,000 per year is allowed. Money in an HSA grows tax-free and it can be spent tax-free on qualified medical expenses. Once a person has Medicare, he or she no longer is eligible to contribute to the HSA, but can use money already in the account to pay for qualified medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare.

Long-term care insurance is another option, and many people invest in such an account during their 50s or 60s. The earlier an individual enrolls in a program, the lower the premium. According to Personal Capital, most policies will not start until a patient has needed assistance for 90 days and other qualifying guidelines are met. Generally speaking, longterm care insurance also is use-orlose. If there’s never a need to use the insurance, it will not be refunded. This is a risk that certain people are willing to take.

In addition to these options, people may consider gap insurance programs. When putting together a retirement plan, it can be wise to speak with financial advisors who can customize products based on their expected needs.

The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who have two (2) or more local preferences. The Housing Choice Voucher Program and Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona are accepting applications from the Elderly and/or those over the age of 18 who claim a disability

Metro Creative

People need to be aware of the potential costs of medical care in retirement and plan ahead so they can meet those obligations if and when the need arises.

History center gets grant for Arts in Action project

Local News Network

DeKALB – The DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum received a grant from the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board to support a year of programming for the Arts in Action project.

The programs begins with a showing of the movie “Harriet” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in the Freight Room of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, according to a news release.

The showing will be followed by a panel discussion about the Underground Railroad in DeKalb County and its legacy. The panel includes Joseph Mitchell of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Eric Ogi of the Federated Church and Michelle Donahoe of the DeKalb County History Center. Registration is encouraged to attend. To register, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org.

The next program is a community read featuring the book “Stella by Starlight” by Sharon Draper at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St., Sycamore; 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the DeKalb

NEWS BRIEFS

Teen open mic event scheduled Jan. 20 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a teen open mic event from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

The event is free and intended for youths in sixth through 12th grade.

Participants can show off their talents and skills during the open mic or stop by the event to listen. Musicians, poets, actors and writers are encouraged to participate. Because of limited space, performers must register when they arrive.

For information, email kiarrih@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.

Painting workshop set for Jan. 21 at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will hold a winter wonderland painting workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21, in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room.

The free workshop is for adults.

Attendees can paint a winter wonder-

County History Center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore; and at 6 p.m. Monday, March 6, at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb. The book, taking place in 1930s North Carolina, features racial discrimination, voting intimidation, social separation, and a strong sense of community during difficult times for Black families. There also will be three discussions about the book and its connections to local history.

The history center’s website will have more details on the following upcoming speakers: Clint Smith, author; Angela Jackson, Illinois Poet Laureate; Ada Chang, “Our Words, Our Truths: Storytelling as a performative memoir for collective identity and community engagement”; Catalina Maria Johnson, “Latinos in Illinois: Music as Cultural History”; Donna Sack and Jeanne Schultz Angel, Naper Settlement, on their exhibit, “Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in Northern and Western United States”; and NIU Professor Joseph Flynn, in conjunction with a visit from john powell, who does not capitalize his name.

For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org, createchange.today, or email michelle@dekalbcountyhistory. org.

land scene on a canvas while listening to calming lo-fi music. Materials for the workshop will be provided. Registration is not required.

For information, email irise@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2110.

DeKalb library offering virtual self care event Jan. 24

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a virtual event on coping with stress and burnout at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, via Zoom.

The event intended for adults only.

Participants will learn about Adventure Works, an outdoor-focused therapy organization, and be given the tools to practice self care against work and life burnout from Katie Wells, the executive director of Adventure Works DeKalb. Attendees are encouraged to join the Zoom meeting five minutes before the program, especially if they have no previous experience with Zoom. To participate, visit dkpl.org.

For information, email leahh@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2112. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Parents respond to proposed D-427 boundary changes

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Parents of North Grove Elementary students reacted this week to a Sycamore School District 427 proposal that could change which elementary school their children go to as early as this fall.

The North Grove meeting was the first in several public sessions planned this month to give Sycamore parents and teachers the ability to ask questions and voice reaction about the elementary school boundary plan. District 427 officials are grappling with what they said is uneven population growth on the city’s north side. Officials have said the growth has lead to overflow at North Grove Elementary School compared to lower census numbers on the south side.

More than 30 people attended the meeting to learn more about the proposal that, if approved in a late February school board meeting, would be implemented before the start of the next school year.

According to the presentation shown at the public meeting, the proposed changes to elementary school boundaries would reduce North Grove

Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Mary Fischer, a parent of a student in Sycamore School District 427, asks a question of district Superintendent Steve Wilder on Monday, Jan. 9, during a public meeting hosted by the district at North Grove Elementary School.

• DISTRICT 427

Continued from page 16

Elementary’s enrollment by more than 15%.

Mary Fischer, a North Grove parent, said she thinks more students should be sent elsewhere in Sycamore.

“Let’s not make a change that’s not enough,” Fischer said during the meeting. “Let’s have enough foresight so we are not having problems down the road.”

According to district data, 477 students are enrolled at North Grove Elementary. If the proposed boundary revisions were in place today, the school’s enrollment would fall to 403, sending 74 children to other schools in the district regardless of where their family lives.

“I do think this is enough,” Sycamore Superintendent Steve Wilder said in response.

Earlier in the meeting, Wilder suggested the district conduct a compulsory boundary study every five years to help identify trends and better anticipate growth in the community.

Wilder said reviewing elementary boundaries on a more regular basis will allow the district to monitor elementary school enrollments and share that information with community partners.

“We may see at that point that it’s starting to look like this is going to happen, so it’s not a surprise to you, it’s not

a surprise to us,” Wilder said. “We could plan for that. You guys know it’s coming, so that every 13 years we’re not in a situation like this.”

Wilder told the crowd the study the district conducted in the fall to formulate the proposed boundary changes was the first done in the district in more than a dozen years and the first he’s done as an head administrator. Wilder was hired in early 2020 to lead the district.

Fischer, as well as another parent who asked not to be named, said they believe the district should present enrollment projections for more than one year in the future under the current proposal.

Fischer said she’s worried North Grove Elementary could face the same population issue that’s prompting the proposed boundary change within a few years if more than 74 students aren’t sent to other schools.

The district’s elementary school boundaries went into effect when North Grove Elementary School opened in 2009. That also was the last time Sycamore schools conducted a boundary study.

“There were about 470 students that needed to be moved from the other four schools to here,” Wilder said. “This is much different. We’re not moving that many students. It’s going to impact

Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Sycamore School District 427 Superintendent Steve Wilder speaks Monday, Jan. 9, during the public meeting that was held to get staff and community feedback on a plan that could change the district boundaries causing some students to have to switch elementary schools inside the district as early as next year.

“We may see at that point that it’s starting to look like this is going to happen, so it’s not a surprise to you, it’s not a surprise to us. We could plan for that. You guys know it’s coming, so that every 13 years we’re not in a situation like this.”

Steve Wilder Sycamore School District 427 superintendent

about 160 students.”

According to a districtwide survey, Sycamore parents overwhelmingly said they want their children to remain at their schools, however.

Wilder said he understands how impactful changing schools can be on students and expressed interest in grandfathering students into fifth or fourth grade at their schools.

“I would love to do that, but until I know what the final plan looks like, and whether or not we have space to accommodate students doing that, I can’t get into that answer yet,” Wilder said. “If I tell one fifth grade family that they can stay, every fifth grade student has to be able to stay.”

Wilder said he’s focused on making sure the redrawn boundaries are divided at natural boundaries in the community and don’t split up neighborhoods. Fischer told Wilder, however, she’s worried the new boundaries are being drawn along socioeconomic lines.

“I know you’re trying to follow example boundaries, but there seem to be socioeconomic boundaries that are being established with this ... and I find that concerning, and I don’t like it,” Fischer said.

She said her residence won’t be

affected by the proposed boundary changes.

“I mean, they’re essentially taking the lowest-income community and plunking it all in one school,” Fischer said after the meeting. “Are they going to provide resources there? Are they going to double the resource to support the staff? I don’t know.”

Wilder said he doesn’t disagree with Fischer, however, and said he wished he could have better prioritized inclusive diversity while balancing what is required of the proposed boundary changes.

Asked why it wasn’t better balanced by Fischer, Wilder said it’s “things like transportation” that inhibited diversity efforts.

“First of all, transporting students from one area of the community to another just to balance low income I didn’t think was fair either, and I don’t know that I’d feel comfortable saying this neighborhood can go to this school just to balance socioeconomic or low-income families,” Wilder said. “I wish we could have balanced it better because I value everything that you just talked about.”

Asked by a parent in the crowd why transportation has been an issue, Wilder said a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers has been developing for a long time and that there are simply not people out there who want to drive school buses.

In 2021, the need for bus drivers was so high, Wilder has grabbed the wheel himself. Wilder had said he’s been certified to drive a school bus for the past 12 years and fills in as needed.

“Mr. Wilder drove my kid’s bus to school last year too,” Sycamore parent Kristine Adzovic said. “When my bus driver was sick, I opened the door and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. Have I seen you before? Thank you for taking my kid to school!’”

After the meeting, Adzovic said she thinks the boundary change is “a really hard issue.”

“I think that a lot of time and effort has gone into planning and trying to make proposals,” Adzovic said. “I appreciate the hours that have been poured into it and, yeah, I don’t think there’s any perfect reason or there’s not any perfect end result to any of it. I think that everybody’s trying as best they can.”

Wilder said he will present his final recommendation to the district’s school board Feb. 14 after all the elementary school public meetings have convened.

The board will then have two weeks to mull over the recommendation before an expected vote Feb. 28.

Wilder said the recommendation may change before Feb. 14, but he doesn’t anticipate major changes to what’s been laid out.

The next public meeting on the pro-

posed boundary changes will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Southeast Elementary School, 718 Locust St. The third meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at West Elementary School, 240 Fair St., and the fourth will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at South Prairie Elementary School, 820 Borden Ave. The final meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at North Elementary School, 1680 Brickville Road.

Here are the changes that would occur if the plan is approved by Sycamore School District 427’s board:

Residences bordered by Main Street, Mount Hunger Road and the Kishwaukee River would change over to within North Elementary School’s boundary.

Residences between Main Street, the Kishwaukee River and State Street would become West Elementary School homes.

Southeast Elementary School would welcome the entirety of the Stone Prairie rental community.

Residences bordered by Sacramento Street, DeKalb Avenue, Somonauk and Edward streets, as well as homes between Meadow Lane, DeKalb Avenue, South Cross Street and Edward Street would be folded into West Elementary School territory.

The Woodgate subdivision, bordered by DeKalb Avenue and Peace Road, would fall within the South Prairie Elementary school boundary.

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – A startling moment during a Monday Night Football game Jan. 2 that left Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in cardiac arrest offered a grim reminder of the importance of CPR trainings, DeKalb firefighter Noah Millard said.

Millard is the president of the DeKalb Fire Fighters Local 1236 union. He said Hamlin’s harrowing experience that caused the NFL to pause and later cancel the matchup between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals piqued community interest on the topic.

“I have had four people reach out to me – community leaders in different venues – and they have said, ‘What do we need to do? I’ve always been wanting to do this. What do we need to do to get a CPR class?’ ” Millard said.

The DeKalb lieutenent firefighter and paramedic said sudden cardiac arrest, such as what Hamlin experienced, is a common occurrence that first responders deal with on calls for service.

“It is absolutely something that happens on a regular basis that we see in the field that we treat,” Millard said.

The 24-year-old Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, got to his feet and then fell unconscious. Hamlin was released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Jan. 9. Hamlin now heads to Buffalo General Medical Center for further treatment.

According to the American Heart Association, the causes for cardiac arrest may include any known heart condition, high blood pressure, recreational drug use, blood vessel and electrical abnormalities, thickened heart muscle and scarring of heart tissue.

Millard stressed that cardiac arrest is more common than people may think, and youth is not always a deterrent.

“It doesn’t mean that it has to be an old person,” Millard said. “We’ve had younger people that it has affected that we went on calls to. … A primary part of that is those pre-existing issues, conditions, let’s say. With that, how do we encourage a healthier lifestyle, whatever it may be along with that, to try to obviously deter those? But when we do have them, we have the people hopefully that we’ve trained that have at least a basic understanding of what they can do to help.”

Millard said he knew all too well how critical the emergency response was that unfolded after Hamlin collapsed when his heart stopped beating.

“We understand from our perspective obviously [in] the first responder, paramedic realm and what that means when a bystander … immediately jumps into action and starts to do CPR

such as was done on Mr. Hamlin,” Millard said. “Ultimately, that gives that person the best chance at survival.”

Community program encourages prepping for worst case scenario

The fire department is taking the opportunity to remind the community about its program to help distribute Automatic External Defibrillators to DeKalb businesses and organizations. The program offers a 50-50 grant match, helping aid area groups and organizations with funds to help buy the equipment.

The AED machines are critical to help aid a person’s chances at surviving cardiac arrest. The machines can aid CPR and provide an electric shock to a person’s heart if it’s stopped beating, and can help identify what shock is needed to return the heart to its original rhythm.

The DeKalb Fire Department has over the years acquired machines that perform CPR, and Millard said they have proven to be worth the investment.

“It feels personally like we have had better results. I would say probably the last five years,” Millard said. “Before then, we did manual CPR like you saw [with Hamiln]. Now we have a machine that does CPR for us, which obviously is battery-powered [and] does not tire out.”

In 2022, the local firefighters union started the matching grant program to equip five area businesses and organizations with their own AED equipment.

The union is committed to supplying at least another five grant awardees with their very own AED equipment in 2023, Millard said.

Millard said the union is open to sponsorship opportunities should businesses and organizations want to help make AEDs more widely available in the community.

Millard said the union has lofty expectations for the health of the community.

“Our goal is to be recognized as a ‘Heart Safe Community,’” Millard said. “We have some work to do. But I think we can do it. I’m excited that our local [union] and our membership has put their money where their mouth is to be able to help get this going.”

“A Heart Safe Community” is an accreditation that recognizes communities based on, among other things, their availability of CPR training and AED equipment.

The union offers both AED and CPR trainings on a request basis, officials said.

One such union member wants to ensure the larger community has the needed equipment and also the knowledge to put it to use in an emergency.

“Our fire chief, Mike Thomas, has said that anybody that we do give the 50% match for the AED grant and others, he would like to ramp up our hands-only CPR training and our AED training within the community,” Millard said.

Millard stressed that bystanders don’t have to be certified in order to help other people who are in need.

He said it brings members of the union comfort knowing that there are bystanders who are willing to step up in an emergency situation until first responders arrive at the scene.

“We have bystanders that jump in who started doing those things,” Millard said. “Some of them were medically trained. Some were not. Some had no clue. Some had zero medical training and just did what they thought was the right thing, and it truly saved a person’s life.”

Shaw Local News Network file photo

Joe Long, DeKalb Fire Department paramedic, demonstrates the use of a Lucas device in the back of an ambulance at station No. 1.

Vendors sought for Sauk Valley Bridal Fair on Feb. 5

The Sauk Valley Bridal Fair is seeking vendors for its 2023 event in February.

The fair will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway, Sterling.

The bridal fair will feature exhibits of businesses that sell products and services for weddings, receptions, catering, flowers and more. The fair also includes a fashion show.

All couples that register at the fair are eligible for prizes, including certificates worth $50, $100 and $250 to use at the vendor of their choice.

The Bridal Fair is one of the Sauk Valley area’s largest exhibits for couples looking to plan their wedding. The fair is sponsored by Selmi’s Weddings and Events, Selmi’s Formal Wear, 7:24 Fitness On The Rock and Sauk Valley Media.

For information, call 815-632-2566 or email knull@saukvalley.com.

Sycamore church to host Family History Fair Feb. 4

SYCAMORE – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host an event about family history and cherished

memories next month.

The Family History Fair-Treasured Family Memories event will take place from from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at the church at 675 Fox Ave. in Sycamore, according to a news release.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The event will help local residents interested in their own genealogical and family history. The event also is intended to be a valuable resource for those interested in local history and genealogy.

Northern Illinois 4-H summer camp registration now open

The Northern Illinois 4-H Camp 2023 is open for registration.

The camp is set to run from 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11, to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Rock River Christian Camp, 16486 Illinois Route 64, Polo, according to a news release.

4-H camp is a five-day, four-night residential camp operated by the University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties and the staff at Rock River Christian Camp.

The camp is open to boys and girls

ages 8 through 14. Membership in 4-H is not required. All participants, however, will be expected to comply with the same high behavior standards expected of the organization.

Campers can engage in various activities designed to challenge, educate and entertain. Two to three daily free-choice periods will be offered, including hiking, shooting sports, arts and crafts, crate stacking, team-building challenges, zip-lining, swimming and more. Evening activities include campfires, a games night and a dance.

The cost is $300 for 4-H members and $320 for nonmembers until Wednesday, March 1. The prices then will increase to $350 for 4-H members and $320 for non-members. All camp fees must be paid in full by Monday, May 15. Slots for boys’ and girls’ cabins will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To download a camper application or register, visit go.illinois.edu/4HSummerCamp.

County seeks use of tax funds bids from service providers

DeKALB – DeKalb County is accepting bid request applications from local senior service providers who’d like addi-

tional funding as part of the 2024 Senior Tax Levy.

The application for bid requests are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, according to a news release.

DeKalb County voters approved a 0.025% tax levy by referendum in 1997. The county government expects to collect and distribute approximately $456,400 generated by the levy for local organizations that provide services to seniors. The DeKalb County Board restricted the use of the funds to the prevention of the premature institutionalization of seniors.

Fiscal 2023 funds were awarded for services provided by 10 agencies: Barb City Manor, DeKalb County Community Gardens, Elder Care Services, Family Service Agency, Fox Valley Older Adult Services, Hope Haven, Kishwaukee Family YMCA, Opportunity House, Prairie State Legal Services and Voluntary Action Center.

The application request for bids is available online at dekalbcounty.org/ government/invitation-to-bid/, under the “Invitation to Bid” section.

For information, call 815-899-4960 or email dcada@dekalbcounty.org –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

more information or visi t

www.illinoislegalaid.org If you are unable to pay your court fees, you can

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS THE MONEY SOURCE INC., PLAINTIFF, VS. TI MOTHY A MILLER, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THOMAS F DUELLMAN DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF THOMAS F DUELLMAN; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; CLAUDIA GO EPFERT A/K/A CLAUDIA DUELLMAN; CLAYTON DUELLMAN, DEFENDANT S. NO 22 FC 000072 118 NICHOLS DRIVE SYCAMORE, IL 60178

JUDGE

PRESIDING JUDGE

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

TO YOU, Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Thomas F Duellman

Unknown Owners and Non-Record Cl aimants defendants, th at this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows to wit: Lot 18 in Block 6 in Third

Addition to Sparkh ayes Subdivision, as per the plat thereof recorded in the Recorder's Office of Dekalb County, Illinois on April 26 1960, Book "L" of Plats, Page 17, as Document Number 300442, situated in Dekalb County, Illinois.

Commonly known as: 118 Nichols Drive Sycamore, IL 60178 and which said Mortgage was made by Thomas F Duellman Mortgagor(s), to

DECEASED; UNKNOWN

22 FC 000072

118 NICHOLS DRIVE SYCAMORE, IL 60178

Unknown Owners and Non-Record

Commonly

Sycamore,

60178

said Mortgage was made by Thomas F Duellman Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Sovereign Lending Group Incorporated Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of DeKalb Co unty Illinois, as Document No 2017005846; and for ot her relief.

UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before February 10, 2023, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT.

E-fili ng is now mandatory with limited exemptions To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-fi ling service provider Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/ service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/ faq/gethelp.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk's offic e. If you cannot e-file, you may be able to get an exemption that allows you to file in-per son or by mail. Ask your circuit clerk for more information or visi t www.illinoislegalaid.org If you are unable to pay your court fees you can apply for a fee waiver For information about defending yourself in a court case (including filing an appearance or fee waiver), or to apply for free legal help, go to www.illinoislegalaid.org You can also ask your local ci rcuit cl erk's office for a fee waiver

application.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS THE MONEY SOURCE INC., PLAINTIFF, VS. TI MOTHY A MILLER, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THOMAS F DUELLMAN

HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF THOMAS F DUELLMAN; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; CLAUDIA GO EPFERT A/K/A CLAUDIA DUELLMAN; CLAYTON DUELLMAN, DEFENDANT S. NO

JUDGE

PRESIDING JUDGE

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO YOU, Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Thomas F Duellman