DC_Midweek_031523

Sycamore residents could see fee hikes on city water bills, pending city council decision

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Sycamore residents could see an uptick in their water utility bills pending City Council approval as city staff said rate increases are needed to make up for revenue shortfalls meant to fund infrastructure improvements.

The Sycamore City Council was expected to vote on proposed increases for water rates, meter maintenance and radium testing at its next meeting.

In their request, city Public Works Director Matt Anderson asked for an increase to help offset revenue expected to fall short of funds needed for well and water tower maintenance and other planned capital projects, city documents show.

Anderson and City Manager Michael Hall did not immediately return requests for comments.

The vote will come just weeks after Sycamore officials announced that they settled a $6 million class-action lawsuit over water quality concerns, including foul odor and discoloration, and fears over documented elevated lead and chlorine levels.

Fourth Ward Alderman David Stouffer said he believes the requested fee increases aren’t associated with the lawsuit settlement that came after years of concerns raised by Sycamore residents regarding water quality concerns in the city.

“I think that’s all finalized and done with,” Stouffer said. “There hasn’t been an increase, from my understanding, in several years, so this is just kind of an increase to offset the cost of maintenance and make sure we’re still providing the quality water and quality services the town deserves.”

Fewer than three years ago, the Syca-

WHERE IT’S AT

more City Council increased residents’ water fees after a November 2020 vote that imposed a $6.90 water bill base fee to help fund water system improvements.

According to the settlement agreement reached out of court in January, the city is required to pay an average of $1.2 million annually toward water infrastructure improvements through 2027. The settlement also requires the city to pay for additional testing of lead and chlorine levels annually through 2025.

Sycamore already conducts annual water testing; however, the settlement stipulates a larger pool of properties be tested using a laboratory chosen under the settlement agreement.

According to city documents, water user fees this year are projected to bring $2 million in revenue, $110,000 below the $2.1 million the city budgeted.

In a March 1 letter from Anderson to Hall, Anderson wrote that water user fees need to create $2.39 million in revenue in order to fund operational expenditures and planned capital infrastructure improvements as well as create an operational reserve.

Anderson said more money is needed to fund inspection and projects such as the replacement of water wells, water tower maintenance including painting, and upgrades to the digital systems used to monitor water quality.

In the current fiscal year, Sycamore residents are charged a water rate based on their metered usage where one unit is 748 gallons of water.

A home that used 4 units of water –2,992 gallons – is billed $3.20 per unit of water, the highest of the tiers of water rates. The lowest water rate is reserved for those who use the most water. Any home that uses more than 170 units of water – 127,160 gallons – is charged $1.72

PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzlesonpage21

per unit.

First Ward Alderman Alan Bauer said the council voted to gradually phase out the tiered billing system back in 2018. He said he believes inflation has hastened the need for a revamp of the city’s water billing structure.

Over the next five years, the cost difference between the highest and lowest tiers will shrink from $1.48 to 38 cents per unit. According to city documents, however, public works staff has proposed three options for the City Council to consider.

All options would go into effect in May, documents show.

Options up for vote

The first option is to modify the rate structure down to two tiers, documents show. Under that option, anyone using fewer than 1,000 units of water – 748,000 gallons – would pay $3.37 per unit, while anyone using more than 1,000 units would be billed at $2.10 per unit.

A second option before the City Council would keep the existing tier structure but increase rates for all customers. A home using four units would be billed $3.74, or 59 cents more per unit than they would without the increase. A property using more than 170 units would be billed $2.22, or 35 cents more than it’s currently slated to pay, documents show.

The third option proposed to the council is to eliminate the tier structure all together and charge a flat rate of $3.23 per unit regardless of water usage, documents show.

According to city documents, small and large residential homes would see the smallest cost increases from the two tier and flat rate options. Under the flat rate option, however, an industrial facility could pay up to $15,313 a month for water.

It’s not clear how much the city will gain in revenue from each option.

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Copyright 2023 ON THE COVER

A sign at the DeKalb County Legislative Center lets voters know that early voting is open at the complex in Sycamore. See story, page 6.

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Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in and around DeKalb County

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and there are a plethora of ways to celebrate.

Here is a look at some St. Patrick’s Day events planned in and around DeKalb County.

March 17: To spread a bit of Irish cheer, Sullivan’s Tavern is planning to host a St. Patrick’s Day Party. At the event, patrons can enjoy green beer, $4 Miller/Coors aluminum pints and live music by the Beaux. The event will get underway at 7 p.m. March 17 at Sullivan’s Tavern, 722 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

March 18: 94.9 WDKB is organizing its fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day .1K run/walk. The event will begin at 10 a.m. March 18 at Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

Participants are encouraged to register online for $20. In exchange, they will receive an event T-shirt, race bib and and other swag items.

A portion of the proceeds will go to support Safe Passage. The race is

geared toward those age 21 and older.

March 17-19: Open Range Southwest Grill in Sugar Grove is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Weekend celebration. At the restaurant, patrons can enjoy corned beef, cabbage and other food specials. They also will find live entertainment and green beer on tap.

The event begins at noon March 17 at Open Range Southwest Grill, 1 Golfview Lane, Sugar Grove.

March 18: The Hampshire Park District is looking to help people get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by hosting a 5K race. The event, which begins and ends on State Street, gets underway at 9 a.m. at Copper Barrell, 172 S. State St., Hampshire.

Participants are allowed to sign up for $45 in advance or as late as the day of the race from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The fee covers the costs for each participant to have a race bib, free beer ticket and refreshments. An added $10 allows participants to receive a custom race shirt and socks while supplies last.

Medals will be issued to recognize the top three male and female participants in each age group.

Shaw Local file photo

The fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day .1K run/walk will be held March 18 at Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

‘A Storybook Ballet’ headed to Egyptian stage

Shaw Local News Network

The Beth Fowler Dance Company and Beth Fowler School of Dance invite all to be their guest, as they bring four favorite fairy tales to life on stage in “A Storybook Ballet.”

The performance promises to transport audience members to the fantastical lands of their childhood, whisking viewers on a magic carpet ride, through an enchanted forest, under the sea, and into a tale as old as time, all told through the beauty and power of ballet, danced by local dancers from the dance company and a large, local cast.

Performances of “A Storybook Ballet” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19. All performances will be staged at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb.

“A Storybook Ballet” is a Beth Fowler Dance Company original production, now being presented on stage for the third time since it debuted in 2013.

The ballet tells the story of Marie, a young girl magically transported into the pages of an enchanted 10-foot-tall storybook, including four of her favorite bedtime stories, the tales of Snow White, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Beauty & The Beast.

Beth Fowler, owner of the Beth Fowler School of Dance and the company’s artistic director, said “A Storybook Ballet” arose from a desire to bring something new and different to the stage, which reflected skill and elegance, yet remained energetic and exciting for audiences of all ages.

The show will feature soloists from the Beth Fowler Dance Company and a large, local cast of students and performers.

Clara Owen, 18, of St. Charles will dance the role of Jasmine, princess of Agrabah.

Owen has danced with BFSD since she was a child. In recent years, she has handled several leading roles in Beth Fowler productions, including as Clara and the Snow Queen in “The Nutcracker.”

Owen will be joined on stage by Brady McCue, 17, of Geneva, who will dance the role of Aladdin.

McCue will also dance the role of

Lumiere, in Beauty & The Beast, and the Huntsman, in Snow White.

Alexis Green of Hampshire will dance the role of Marie.

Emily Belzey of South Elgin will dance the role of Snow White, partnering with Brandon Fowler of Cortland as Snow White’s Prince.

Lorraine Robinson of DeKalb will perform as Ariel, of The Little Mermaid, with Ben Fowler of Kingston as Prince Eric.

Ellie Books of Sycamore will dance the role of Belle in Beauty & The Beast, joined by Chance Miller of Cortland as the Prince. Brandon Fowler will perform as The Beast.

Other prominent roles include: Reegan DeBarba of DeKalb as The Genie in Aladdin; Ben Fowler as Gaston; Iris Windsor of St. Charles as the Evil Queen; Alexa Johnson of South Elgin as Ursula; and Phil Masterton of Rockford as King Triton.

“A Storybook Ballet” is directed and choreographed by Beth Fowler, assisted by Brooke Fowler, Rachael Kollins-Merchut and Jennifer Flatland.

Reserve tickets can be purchased in advance through the Egyptian Theatre.

All children’s tickets include a “Meet & Greet” backstage after the show for a keepsake photo with the cast.

March

31-April 2 and April 6-8

The Children’s Hour

by Lillian Hellman

Directed by Andrea J. Dymond

O’Connell Theatre Stevens Building

March 19 Cor Cantiamo, 3 p.m.

March 23 Oberlin College Steelband, 5 p.m.

March 23 Brass Chamber Recital, 8 p.m.

March 31 Opera Theatre, 7 p.m.

April 2 Opera Theatre, 3 p.m.

April 4 NIU Brass Faculty Showcase, 7 p.m.

April 8 Chamber Music Competition, 10 a.m.

April 10 Thai Music Concert, 8 p.m.

April 12 Music of East Asia, 6:30 p.m.

April 13 Wei Yang and Friends, 7 p.m.

April 14 World Percussion Concert, 7 p.m.

April 15 World Music Concert, 3 p.m.

April 16 NIU Steelband 50th Anniversary Concert, 3 p.m.

,

Special Event - Thurs., March 23, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

NIU Founders Memorial Library featuring:

• Artist Talk with NIU Photography students

• Science Talk with NIU and Argonne National Laboratory experts • Make your own paper snowflake

• Time lapse video of the creation of the snowflake

• Real-time snowfall counts from Science on a Sphere

• Take your picture with the snowflake • Much more! Learn more: niuarts.com/snowflake

The Guinness Book of World Record’s Largest Paper Snowflake is more than 44 feet wide. It was created by NIU Photography students in March 2022 and will be on exhibit March 20-April 10 at NIU’s Founders Memorial Library.

Photo provided by Beth Fowler

The Beth Fowler Dance Company and Beth Fowler School of Dance will present “A Storybook Ballet” March 17-19, 2023, at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb.

Stage Coach Players get ‘All Shook Up’ March 16

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – Stage Coach Players will open its 76th season with a production of the jukebox musical, “All Shook Up,” on Thursday, March 16. The musical is scheduled to run for two weeks.

A photography opportunity by Shadow “Elvis” Gentry will be held prior to the Thursday evening performances, according to a news release.

“All Shook Up” tells the story of a young guitar-playing man named Chad in the Midwest during the mid-1950s. As he is being released from prison, Natalie, a young mechanic in a dull little town, dreams of adventure as she yearns for her one true love to take her away. Chad soon rides his motorcycle into town and changes everything and everyone he meets.

The cast includes Morgan Prentiss as Natalie Haller, Grant Milam as Chad, Steven Meerdink as Jim Haller, Monique Smith as Sylvia, Anaya Evans as Lorraine, Eli Oleson as Dennis, and Blythe Schwaller as Miss Sandra. Riley Belick, Steven Bough, Deb Brubaker, Lori Brubaker, Josephine Carlson, Jill

Danklefsen, Zack Eckhardt, Evan Ewing, Joel Ledbetter, Kayla Martin, Roberta Maxfield, Aaliyah McCormick, Maddie Mormino, Jackson Nielsen, Riley Powers, Rachel Schneider, Brad Shortridge, AJ Smith, Wendy Tritt, Karli Waldrep, Emelie Walton, Chris Welch, and Mandy Wescott round out the cast

“All Shook Up” is based of the 2004 musical of the same name. The Stage Coach production will be directed by Jan Kuntz, who previously directed the Stage Coach production of “Elf The Musical.” Musical direction is being provided by John Feken, with choreography by Melissa Roseberg, Bailey Wood and Zack Eckhardt.

Performances of “All Shook Up” will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 16-18 and March 23-25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, and 26, at Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and children age 13 and younger. Tickets are on sale online at stagecoachplayers.com or through the box office at 815-7581940.

Photo provided by Stage Coach Players Stage Coach Players cast members rehearse a scene from their upcoming production of “All Shook Up.”

CANDIDATES DIVIDED

DeKalb City Council candidates debate affordable housing, proposed Metra service, environmental concerns

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

Editor’s Note: To read more election coverage, check out Daily Chronicle Election Central at shawlocal.com/ daily-chronicle/election/. Coverage of candidate forums will be there.

DeKALB – Candidates vying for one of three contested four-year seats on the DeKalb City Council in the April 4 consolidated election traded barbs over several hot topics such as affordable housing, the idea of a potential commuter rail service and the extent to which environmental concerns should influence economic development.

The forum, put on this week by the League of Women Voters DeKalb County and sponsored by Northern Public Radio’s WNIJ, was moderated by Cate Williams. The event was the first in a series of three virtual programs held this week ahead of the election. A final virtual forum is set for Thursday night and will feature candidates for Sycamore and Sandwich city councils.

The public can tune in on WNIJ’s Facebook page or website at 6 p.m. Thursday.

First Ward candidate and incumbent Carolyn Morris is running for reelection unopposed and, as such, did not participate in Tuesday’s City Council forum as the event was meant for contested races.

Third Ward

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith, who is seeking reelection, said the reason he is seeking a second term on the DeKalb City Council is easy to pinpoint.

“DeKalb is in a good position,” said Smith, a retired DeKalb police officer. “DeKalb is coming back. I like to say we’re getting back to the way it used to be. We’ve seen the downtown grow. We’ve seen our tax rate come down for four years. I anticipate as our [equalized assessed valuation] continues to rise, that the taxes on our citizens will continue to go lower. We’ve got a ton of development down on the south end, which is really helping our community and [is] a way to lessen the impact on our citizens.”

Smith’s lone opponent, John Hadley, was a no-show for this week’s League of Women DeKalb County forum.

Smith said he’s will be committed to prioritizing infrastructure if he’s reelected.

“We have been able to start working on more roads” Smith said. “However, we were behind on roads for several years. Repairing more roads is a priority for me.”

The city is undergoing two major bridge replacements this summer on Lucinda Avenue and North First Street.

Fifth Ward

Fifth Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, who is seeking reelection for a second consecutive term, said he would like to ensure that the progress that’s been made in the city continues.

“With the rise of ChicagoWest and the revitalization of downtown, we are headed in the right direction,” McAd-

ams said. “Bridges are being repaired. Streets, like First and Taylor, through the heart of the Fifth Ward have been repaired. We want to work diligently to transform the Annie Glidden North area into a vibrant welcoming neighborhood because there’s a real sense of connection now in DeKalb. Neighbors are taking pride in their communities again. It’s an exciting time to be in town.”

Derek Van Buer, who’s waging a write-in campaign against McAdams, said he’s motivated to oust McAdams from sitting on the City Council.

“Everyday I hear people disappointed in our current leadership whether it’s wasting taxpayer money, disrespecting our neighbors or selling their senior community center right out from under them,” Van Buer said. “Enough is enough.”

Thomas Riley, a U.S. Army veteran who also is running as a write-in can-

didate, said he’s an active Republican, but he’s willing to work with Democrats, as well, to get things done. April’s consolidated election is nonpartisan.

Riley said he takes issue with imagining a future for more affordable housing in the city. In October, the DeKalb City Council approved a new crime-free housing initiative meant to target negligent landlords and ensure quality of life for area tenants.

“There’s one thing I don’t want and that’s low-income housing because that seems to bring crime to the area,” Riley said. “Right now, we have apartment buildings that are already in place, and that’s attracting a lot of people from the … counties that are actually here in DeKalb now. So, that’s what we’re trying to do is bring people out here rather than everybody going

See CANDIDATES, page 7

Megann Horstead file photo

Third Ward Ald. Tracy Smith speaks Nov. 28, 2022, at the DeKalb City Council Meeting.

From page 6

back to St. Charles and Geneva. It’s fairly affordable right now. Even some of the landlords are doing quite well. I think they’re doing their job to keep prices down.”

McAdams disagreed. He referenced a April 20201 settlement reached between the city and former controversial landlord Hunter Properties, once the city’s largest landlord, which mandated the property owner sell its largest buildings to new ownership amid years of alleged neglect and court battles.

“Saying that low-income housing is not desirable is not correct,” McAdams said. “The Annie Glidden North project envisions quite a bit of low-income housing subsiding next to medium and high-end housing. We spent a million dollars and helped negotiate a deal to get rid of Hunter Properties. The owner of what was Hunter is now in the process of renovating those buildings and will be bringing you affordable housing to the area at a higher qualify of living for those folks living in those homes. We want to make the community affordable and available to everyone regardless of what they make, and we want to make sure that everyone stays in a safe building and has a good standard of living.”

Van Buer said he believe the effort

to promote more affordable housing can be driven by the city in more ways than one.

“I think it starts with building codes,” Van Buer said. “We need to be able to adopt the building codes to maybe introduce new type of materials that can reduce the cost of construction or rehabilitation of existing buildings. You can also change city code to provide additional monetary incentives for conversions to reduce

the costs. I think some of it’s alternative power supply because that’s really one of things that’s really driving down the cost of housing is the cost of utilities – natural gases, electricities. Prices are going up.”

Another topic included debate over a recently approved comprehensive study to gauge whether a Metra commuter train station could connect DeKalb to Chicago. In January, the council approved a $98,379 contract

with Chicago-based firm, Sam Schwartz Consulting LLC, for consulting services for the study.

McAdams said he would be excited to bring a commuter rail service to DeKalb.

See CANDIDATES, page 8

Megann Horstead file photo Fifth Ward Alderman Scott McAdams speaks Oct. 10, 2022, at the DeKalb City Council meeting.

Thomas Riley

Derek Van Buer

From page 7

“I know the residents are very anxious to have it,” he said. “We’re spending money to find ways to make it happen. We have resources at the federal and state level. We have very cooperative help from our partners in both of those areas. I’m looking forward to the exciting possibility that the train could come to DeKalb in the future.”

Riley shared that sentiment.

“I thinks it’s important that the city of DeKalb and the residents around the area do get this opportunity to have Metra come in,” Riley said.

Van Buer disagreed, saying the idea of launching a commuter rail service in DeKalb is not a local issue but a countywide issue.

“The $100,000 that the city just approved for the [transportation] study is wasteful money,” Van Buer said.

McAdams said the city should pay major attention to environmental concerns as it seeks opportunities to spur economic development.

“It’s super important because we’re talking about the long-term viability of our planet, which is super important and must be addressed,” McAdams said. “I was very proud when our partner, Facebook, built all sorts of solar farms in order to support the data center. I’m excited to take our city in that

direction. I will always approve solar farms. I’m a big fan of wind energy. I think that’s the wave of the future.”

Van Buer, who said he supports addressing climate change, agreed.

“I think anything we can do to increase the adaptability of businesses to reduce carbon footprints, environmental concerns is a very positive direction to take,” he said. “We need to be concerned about the rail, especially with what’s been happening in Ohio with the derailments. So, it’s not just

building new businesses. It’s also helping old businesses convert their existing sites to be more environmentally friendly.”

Riley shared a differing view.

“I agree with Scott on solar but not on the wind,” Riley said. “Unfortunately, wind farms require mechanical upkeep. I just don’t think it’s really good for like the birds that are flying by. The geese going north and south. They have a tendency to hit those blades. As far as the environmental, I

am an environmentalist. I’m an avid gardener, so I think it’s important we do the best we can with the environment safely.”

Seventh Ward

Seventh Ward aldermanic candidate John Walker, who works for UPS, said he would take the duties of alderman seriously if elected to serve. Walker also serves on the city’s Citizens Police Review Board.

“I love my small business customers that I have served everyday for 25 years and will strive to help their businesses survive and prosper because they are a strong fabric of our town,” Walker said. “I love our police, fire, first responders and city workers who overall take care of the people and confront real issues in this town. I will support them in every honest way I can.”

Walker’s lone opponent, Thomas Boken, was a no-show for this week’s League of Women DeKalb County forum.

Walker, who is a big proponent for tenant advocacy rights, said he hopes to put his knowledge and experience in this realm to use as the city’s 7th Ward alderman.

“I have daily witnessed good property management and bad and know what goes into running housing properties,” Walker said. “We have to understand the differing issues that tenants and landlords face and work together to find fair and equitable solutions.”

Mark Busch file photo - mbusch@shawmedia.com

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas greets John Walker, and his daughter Jayla, Dec. 12, 2022, at City Hall as Walker waits in line to file his papers to run for election in the 7th Ward in the DeKalb City Council.

LOOKING BACK

1923 – 100 YEARS AGO

Due to a freight car being derailed this morning near Belvidere, the Sycamore train on the North Western was held in DeKalb for several hours. It was scheduled to leave DeKalb at 8:50 a.m., but did not leave until word had been received from Belvidere to the effect that the road was clear. Interurban cars suffered in making the trip this morning and were delayed in several places by the snow and slippery rails. The large sweeper went out and cleared the track of snow, which made passage better for a while, however, the snow kept falling and drifts were prevalent in several places.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Larson, living in East Locust Street in DeKalb, have this week received a letter from their nephew, Captain Beere, who is in charge of one of the large transports between United States and Norway. The captain tells his relatives here of a thrilling experience recently when his ship was called to the rescue of another which had been damaged and was sinking. Captain Beere said he and his men saved the lives of 42 people from the wrecked steamer, and the experience was one of the most thrilling of his career.

DeKalb’s new store, the National Tea Company, which rented the Dee building, will open soon, now that the stock is rapidly arriving and arranged in orderly fashion. The manager experienced a little trouble with the recent storm in that the goods were all sent out here in large trucks and now that is impossible.

Work on Love’s new garage in Sycamore is nearing completion and workmen are applying the interior finishing touches. The building is one story in a deep red brick with a very attractive front, having a front and rear entrance. When it is finally completed, the place will be turned over to a Sycamore man who handles well known makes of cars. The front has a large window where the show room will be in plain view to those passing.

Peter Aldis of Cortland lost a cow by death this week.

Bad as the traffic situation has been around DeKalb and east of here, it has been far worse in the country to the west. The snow was heavier and it piled in huge drifts, the going being so bad

that the bus service to the west has had to be discontinued for a couple of days.

1948 – 75 YEARS AGO

Sycamore’s Community Center was closed this morning, which was understood to be due to a shortage of fuel oil. It is expected that an announcement will be made tomorrow concerning the length of the closing. Every effort is being made to locate some fuel oil in order that the center may resume operations. There are two basketball games scheduled for this evening and two more tomorrow evening in the Civic Center League. It is hoped that the fuel may be obtained for the games as well as returning the center to its regular operating hours.

Every American should display the flag on Army Day, April 6. It is the one way that citizens can demonstrate publicly the esteem with which they regard the accomplishments of the American ground soldier in war and peace. Originally designated to commemorate the date on which the United States entered the First World War. In many towns and cities, Army Day is also enlistment day for scores of qualified young men who mark the occasion by joining either the Regular Army or one of its civilian components.

Schoolmarms of DeKalb County who are interested in the teaching of penmanship have been advised by Superin-

tendent Marjorie F. Leinauer that a course in that subject will be offered as an extension course by Northern Illinois State Teachers College during the spring quarter.

Delivering convicted prisoners to the state penal authorities is one of the less pleasant duties of Sheriff Arthur E. Anderson. And when they have to be delivered to the Illinois State Penal Farm at Vandalia, it also means a long day’s hard work. This week cars from the sheriff’s office made the round trip to Vandalia three times, hauling six prisoners to the “peanut farm” as those who have been there call it.

Sometime during the night the Saliee Implement Sales, located at 625 Oak St. in DeKalb was entered by burglars and an electric drill valued at $75 was stolen. The report of the burglary was received by the DeKalb police at 8 o’clock this morning, the theft being discovered when the place was opened for business this morning. Entrance to the building was gained by breaking a window on the west side along the alley. A small radio had been disconnected and was set on a bench, but was not taken by the burglars.

1973 – 50 YEARS AGO

Timothy Higham, 25, of 2231 Fairland St., Sycamore, was charged with driving while intoxicated and speeding last night. Malta and county sheriff’s police

said they chased Higham on Illinois 38 east toward DeKalb at speeds of over 100 miles per hour before one of the officers was able to pass Higham and box him in.

Vandals broke into the Haish School, 309 S. Ninth St., Wednesday night and removed money from a soda machine. Police said the suspects also entered the school office, but it was not damaged.

Richard Faltzs of the Somonauk Jaycees presented ideas for a proposed park during Wednesday night’s Village Board meeting. Faltz said the Jaycees would like to have the park ready for use by this summer but their organization is small and their funds are limited.

A deer was killed when it darted into the path of an auto driven by Dorothy Thomas, of County Line Road, Esmond, last night on Illinois 72 west of here. She was not injured. A passing motorist illegally carried away the deer, according to Sheriff’s Deputy Fred Van Houten, who warned that a deer is considered state property.

1998 – 25 YEARS AGO

Enjoy low local gas prices while you can, for as the mercury rises toward spring, so will the price you pay for a tankful. Gasoline prices are at the lowest in four years, according to a survey from the AAA-Chicago Motor Club. The per gallon price of regular unleaded for Illinois counties, excluding Cook, averaged $1.06, down a full 28 cents from last year’s February price.

Opportunity House Inc. announces the addition of Client and Family Support to the programs and services it offers. Client and Family Support provides training, consultation and support to adults with developmental disabilities who live with their families or in their own homes.

A group of DeKalb and Afton Township residents flooded the DeKalb Plan Commission meeting and spoke out against a golf course/subdivision proposed just outside the city’s southernmost tip. Developer George Stratton wants to build a nine-hole golf course, 175 single-family homes, a cluster of townhouses and a commercial site at the northwest corner of Keslinger Road and Route 23.

–CompiledbySueBreese

Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center Tom & Jerry’s Restaurant is seen at the 185 W. Lincoln Highway location in DeKalb in May 1975.

NIU STEM Cafe to explore the science of beer flavors

Shaw Local News Network

Learn about the science behind beer flavors at the next Northern Illinois University STEM Café on March 15, at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway in Aurora.

This free event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a talk by NIU alumnus Eric Scherzer, quality control manager at Two Brothers Brewing Co. Food and drink are available for purchase from Two Brothers.

As craft brewing has grown, U.S. consumers are encountering a much wider range of flavors in their beers –from caramel to clove, banana, apple and even roses. But did you know that most of these flavors are created directly from the yeast itself?

At this STEM Café, Scherzer will discuss the history of yeast, how yeast has changed alongside human culture and why yeasts produce different flavors. He’ll also discuss current genetically engineered yeasts and their flavors.

Scherzer earned his degree in biology from NIU in 2004 and studied brewing at the Siebel Institute in Chicago and Doemens Academy in Munich.

STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that

STEM fields play in our everyday lives. They are offered in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association and made possible with support from Thermo Fisher Scientific and Bayer Fund. Learn more and register at go.niu. edu/stemcafe.

Photos provided by Northern Illinois University

The next Northern Illinois University STEM Café will be held March 15 at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora.

Northern Illinois University alumnus Eric Scherzer, quality control manager at Two Brothers Brewing Co., will discuss the science behind beer flavors at the next Northern Illinois University STEM Café on March 15.

DeKalb County History Center to host community read sessions March 23

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The DeKalb County History Center will host two community storytelling programs, “Our Words, Our Truths: Storytelling for Collective Identity and Community Engagement” and “Dare to Connect,” presented by storyteller, artist and creator Ada Cheng, Ph.D.

The programs will be held at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore, and in the Nehring House at the Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, according to a news release. Admission is free.

Cheng will map out her journey as an Asian American and immigrant storyteller and delineate how her personal stories reflect current social issues in the first program. She also will share her experiences as a storyteller, explain the meaning of community-based storytelling, and its use in

building community engagement.

The second program is a hands-on young adults workshop. During the first half, Cheng will discuss the central tenets of art form and tips on crafting stories and performing. The second half will feature a practice session for participants to apply what they learned and practice sharing with the group. Registration is required to attend the second session. To register, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org.

Cheng is a visiting associate professor with Asian American Studies at Northwestern University and an adjunct faculty at Dominican University.

The event is part of the Arts in Action project, a partnership through the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum. The project is funded by Illinois Humanities and the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board.

For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org.

Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center Storyteller, artist and creator Ada Cheng, Ph.D., will present two community storytelling programs on March 23.

Fun ways for seniors to stay active

Physical activity is an important component of overall health. Health experts advise that exercise can increase lean body mass, prevent conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improve balance, and positively affect mental health/cognition. Exercise also can foster socialization with others, helping people overcome boredom and isolation.

As individuals get older, they may not be able to participate in all of the activities they enjoyed as youths, but that doesn’t mean older adults must resign themselves to sedentary lifestyles. There are plenty of entertaining ways to remain physically active that can accommodate any limitations a person may have. Explore these methods for staying active.

Explore senior center offerings

Community senior centers often fill calendars with a vast array of activities, some of which can include physical activities. Hikes, walking tours, dances, and other activities all serve as entertaining ways to get out and about while meeting some fitness goals.

Garden or do yard work

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotions says adults should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, digging in flower beds, trimming bushes, and other outdoor tasks could help a person meet this quota in a way that doesn’t seem like exercise at all.

Play games with grandchildren

Little kids may inspire older adults to be more active, as it can be difficult to keep up with those youngsters. Take infants or toddlers for walks or push them in strollers. Attach a child seat or towing carriage to a bicycle and ride around the neighborhood. Play games that require movement, such as hide-and-seek or Marco Polo in the pool. If it’s snowing, have a snowball fight or make a snowman in the yard.

Take up a new hobby

Find hobbies that incorporate physical activity. Perhaps learning to salsa dance or taking Zumba™ will be fun? Pickleball has caught on across the nation. The sport is a mix of tennis, racquetball and badminton that caters to all ages. Joining a bowling team is another way to get active and meet new people.

Physical activity is important at any age. Seniors can explore fun ways to stay in shape and be active to reap all the benefits of exercise.

Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb 310 North Sixth Street • DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190

The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/ or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.

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DeKalb Park Board election candidates, all write-in, talk pool renovations, community input

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Five write-in candidates vying for one of two, four-year seats on the DeKalb Park Board of Commissioners in the April 4 consolidated election expressed their views on the Hopkins Pool renovations, seeking and managing community input and the agency’s role in promoting social equity and inclusion.

All candidates seeking a seat on the DeKalb Park Board are write-ins, after a bid by Michael “Corn Bred” Zasada to remain on the ballot was denied by the DeKalb County Electoral Board because of what election officials said were incorrectly bound candidate papers.

The virtual forum, put on this week by the League of Women Voters DeKalb County and co-sponsored by Northern Public Radio’s WNIJ-FM, was moderated by Cate Williams.

Some candidates expressed concern for the park district’s Hopkins Pool renovations project. The agency recently decided to move ahead with a 20-year bond payment valued between

$8 million and $8.5 million for the pool renovation project, according to the park district documents.

“I really think we need to keep the swimming pool, but the dollar amounts they’ve been talking about, I think, are just out of our range,” candidate Donna Johnson said. “I’m really concerned about looking at the budget, how the money is spent and how we can maybe make some changes so that we can plan ahead and work on saving the pool.”

Board candidate Brian Tobin expressed support for the pool renovation project. “I don’t think there’s a need for a giant pool elsewhere,” he said. “I think the pool where it’s at is a great location for students in town to bike to, walk to.”

Some candidates said that prioritizing bike paths would make for a good infrastructure need for the agency to fulfill.

David Castro said it’s about time that the agency makes investments in keeping those up, as well. He said that soliciting community input about what the agency feels are pressing needs is important. In 2022, the park district

solicited community feedback on the future of Hopkins Pool to help determine next steps.

“I realize we are survey fatigued these days,” Castro said. “But it’s probably one of the most effective things to do: reach out to the community with survey questions about what they want.”

Zasada said the park district’s goal should be to expand on community outreach efforts. “We are elected. We’re paid by tax money. It’s important that we listen to the community and increase their engagement and how they communicate with us.”

Chris Newquist said that equally as important, he believes the park district could improve on its digital communications with residents.

“How we communicate with … the people of DeKalb could be done a little bit better just because that’s the direction that we’re going as a country,” Newquist said.

Newquist said he believes the park district has a ways to go to be more inclusive and equitable.

“We want to make sure that all of the programs we offer here are accessi-

ble and affordable to everyone in the community,” he said. “It would be part of my plan to make sure that we are inclusive to anyone and everyone that’s wanting to become a park district member or just to join a program that we have to offer.”

Johnson shared a differing view.

“There seems to me that we have something for every group age there is, and I’m sure it’s open to everyone equally,” Johnson said. “I think we just need to continue that.”

Zasada said he believes the park district should have a role in promoting social equity and inclusion.

“I think parks are meant for everyone,” Zasada said. “I think it’s meant to enjoy the outdoors and be active. It shouldn’t be restricted based on any type of socioeconomic status or whatnot. If people want to use them, they should be able to. We need to make sure that we allow that to occur. We don’t [need] people restricted from using our parks because of any reason really. They should be able to use them and the resources available whenever they can.”

Resource Bank taking applications for scholarships

DeKALB – Resource Bank is accepting applications for its 22nd annual Centennial Service Award scholarship.

The scholarship applications will be accepted until Friday, March 31, according to a news release.

The $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to at least 10 high school students who were involved in volunteer work and community service. The applicants must be high school seniors who received their diploma from a Resource Bank service area high school, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and be attending an institution of higher learning beginning in the fall of 2023.

The community service involvement includes community beautification, clean-up projects, working with senior citizens, helping the homeless, volunteering for the local fire department, rescue squad, hospital, or donating time to a library, animal shelter, or park district. The community service can also include organized activities such as Habitat for Humanity, 4-H, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or church activities.

Applications are available in the guid-

ance offices of local high schools, at any Resource Bank, or online at ResourceBank.com. The applications will be accepted by mail at any Resource Bank branch or drive-thru, or emailed to marketing@resourcebank.com.

Resource Bank has offered the Centennial Service Award scholarship since celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2001. For information, visit ResourceBank. com.

Smelt fry and shrimp dinner offered in Genoa

GENOA – The Genoa Sons of the American Legion will host its 19th annual George Shearer Smelt Fry and Shrimp Dinner fundraiser on Friday, March 24.

The fundraiser will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St. It is open to the public.

The menu will include all-you-can-eat smelt, shrimp, chicken tenders, french fries, dinner roll and coleslaw.

Tickets cost $15 and are available at the Genoa Veterans Home. To see if food is still available, call 815-784-5967. For information, call 815-784-5967. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

First Baptist welcomes new pastor

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – First Baptist Church of DeKalb’s congregation recently welcomed Matt DeBall as its new senior pastor.

The church, 349 S. Third St., DeKalb, will host an installation service for DeBall at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, according to a news release.

The installation service will be presided over by the Rev. Patty Bilyeu, the Executive Minister from American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region.

DeBall was raised in DeKalb and attended First Baptist Church. He received a bachelor’s degree from Judson University in Elgin and a master’s degree from Northern Seminary in Lisle. He lives in Crystal Lake with his wife, Chelsea, and son, Wyatt.

The First Baptist Church of DeKalb is a Christ-centered church and hosts worship services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

Portillo’s to host MS Society fundraiser March 16

SYCAMORE – A local team has partnered with Portillo’s to raise money for an upcoming National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Walk MS event.

According to a news release from Tina’s Team, if you eat at Portillo’s, 1780 DeKalb Ave., between 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday, March 16, and tell them you’re helping fundraise for the MS Society, 20% of the proceeds will go to the organization.

Tina’s Team is spearheaded by Tina Brust of Genoa, who was diagnosed with the central nervous system disease in 2000. She is now in remission.

Her team will take part in the May 7 walk in St. Charles, and has a goal of raising $6,000, according to the team’s page on the MS society’s website. Tina’s Team has collected more than $102,700 for the MS Society since 2001.

If you can’t make it to Portillo’s on March 28, you can donate at the webpage anytime. Just go to mssociety. donordrive.com and search for Tina’s Team.

Photo provided Deacon Coordinator Carl Mosher (right) welcomes Pastor Matt DeBall as the new senior pastor of First Baptist Church of DeKalb. The installation service for the new pastor will be held Sunday, March 26.

DeKalb approves $5.3M transit contract with NIU

By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – The city of DeKalb recently approved an annual $5.3 million contract with Northern Illinois University for shared transit services throughout DeKalb, with NIU expected to pay about $2 million for its portion.

The intergovernmental agreement is part of a yearly budgeted contract for the two entities, city officials said during a recent DeKalb City Council meeting. City and Huskie line buses provide fixed route transit and paratransit services through Transdev, city documents show.

“We go through this once a year,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said at a Feb. 27 council meeting. “Once an anticipated cost of our transit services to serve students at Northern is established, we come to you and ask for your authorization. Basically, we’re going to receive 40% of that, with one exception.”

The DeKalb City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2023 annual service contract with NIU.

Under the contract, NIU pays for 40% of the city’s transit services. One

southside route is discounted, however, due to more of its riders being city residents instead of students, Nicklas

said. NIU is expected to pay 20% for Route 19, which runs on the south side.

“We have one route, Route 19, where

the ridership consists primarily of permanent residents of DeKalb, but some students will travel this to get down to the newer job centers on the southwest side,” Nicklas said. “For this reason, NIU provides a 20% local match, but on every other part of the transit system it’s 40%.”

Route 19 operates in the city’s south side and includes stops at Park 88 and Gurler Road, where some of the city’s largest manufacturers reside, including Meta DeKalb Data Center, Ferrara Candy Company, the Amazon distribution center, Panduit, 3M and the Target distribution center, among others.

According to the contract, the total cost for annual transit services throughout DeKalb is $5.3 million. NIU’s total contribution is $2,066,768, documents show. The city’s transit funds come primarily through state and federal funding, funneled through the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.

DeKalb and NIU first approved an integrated transit service contract in 2018, which first went into effect in fiscal 2019.

Shaw Local file photo

The city of DeKalb and Northern Illinois University recently approved its 2023 annual $5.3 million contract for shared transit services throughout DeKalb, with NIU expected to pay about $2 million for its share of the services.

Sycamore Kiwanis Club names new officers

SYCAMORE – The Kiwanis Club of Sycamore recently named its new leaders for the 2023 service year.

The leaders were installed Oct. 1, according to a news release.

The new leadership includes Stephanie Forsberg as president-elect, Jodi Tyrrell as president, Beth Bollinger as past president, Tim Bagby as director, Bob Higdon as treasurer, Sue Doubler as lieutenant governor, and Roger Jacobson as secretary.

The Kiwanis Club of Sycamore is an organization of volunteers that has dedicated itself to changing the world one child and one community at a time since 1951, according to the release.

The club meets at 6 p.m. during the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Sycamore Golf Course clubhouse, 940 E. State St., Sycamore. All meetings include a meal and a program.

For more information, call 815-7394445 or email forsberg@pardridge.com.

Child grief support group begins March

22

DeKALB – Northern Illinois Hospice will partner with the Northern Illinois Univer-

sity Center for Grief and Loss to host the “Bluebirds Fly” child grief support group.

The group will meet Wednesdays, March 22 through April 19, at Vineyard Church, 1051 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb, according to a news release.

The group is free and intended for children ages 7 to 12.

The support group will help children build their natural resilience and strengthen their coping skills. Due to limited space, registration is required to attend. To register, email jconley@niha. org or call 815-312-8338.

Northern Illinois Hospice has provided Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, DeKalb, and western McHenry counties with guidance, care, and support to best fit their patients and family’s needs since 1979.

For information, visit northernillinoishospice.org or call 815-398-0500.

Dixon, Galena will host regional transportation meetings

Regional transportation meetings have been scheduled for Dixon and Galena by its coordinating agency, the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.

The meeting for Region 3, which

serves Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle, Lee, Ogle and Putnam counties, will be at 10 a.m. March 24 at the Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St., Dixon.

Region 1, which serves Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties, will be at 10 a.m. March 23 at Jo Daviess County Transit, 710 Southwest St., Galena.

The meetings are intended to improve services for seniors, people with disabilities, individuals with lower incomes and

veterans. Human service organizations, individuals with an interest in public transportation and rider advocates are encouraged to attend the meeting for their area.

For information, reach out to hstp@ ncicg.org or call 815-433-5830.

NCICG provides low-cost planning services to current member counties, communities and contract services as well as nonmember counties and communities within this coverage area.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

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Every year, the big manufacturers of furnaces & air conditioners guess how many to build to meet the demand. Of course, they’re never exactly right. So, they always have some inventory that they must hold over until the next summer season. I went to one of these companies and contracted for the purchase of sixteen Deluxe furnaces and air conditioners in the four most

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NIU awarded $5.1M federal grant to address school psychologist shortages in regional public schools

By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University plans to use $5.1 million in federal grant money to start a three-year program intended to help address a shortage of school psychologists in public schools throughout the region.

University officials said the program, dubbed Preparing Educators as School Psychologists in Northern Illinois, is believed to be the first of its kind in the state. In its early years, the program is expected to help DeKalb School District 428, Belvidere School District 100, Harlem School District 122 near Rockford and the Northwest Special Education Cooperative, which covers 11 rural school districts in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.

Part educator, part psychologist, part data analyst, a school psychologists’ job is multifaceted, NIU psychology professor Christine Malecki said. Many take on roles where they’re helping individualized case management, analyzing districtwide mental health and resource trends, and helping area schools prioritize a focus on social and emotional well-being, Malecki said.

“What makes school psychologists unique – compared to other professionals, like social workers and school counselors – is that each of those positions has kind of a speciality area,” said Malecki, who’s also NIU’s director of clinical training for the school psychology program. “Social workers really would be that social-emotional realm. But school psychs have both an academic side of things, social emotional and school psychologists are also trained not only to look at individual student needs but system level.”

NIU’s current school psychology program offerings include a five-year doctoral path and a three-year path toward becoming a specialist in school psychology, which is beyond a master’s degree. The university typically takes four students in each program, Malecki said.

The new program will start with three separate cohorts of eight. Each group, which will be made up of current educators in each of the participating public school districts, will undergo three years of specialized education to become school psychologists.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 10-year look at high school student mental health data showed student experience with violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts, and behaviors worsened significantly from 2011 to 2021.

For educators, addressing a child’s experience holistically while also providing relevant learning in the classroom means added efforts to meet students’ needs.

That’s where school psychologists come in.

“Our students are really struggling with anxiety, so school psychs can look at data, patterns, do analyses to find some of those patterns and identify, ‘This is a need we have that we should address schoolwide,’ ” Malecki said.

“But then school psychs can also do individual work, so we look at systems-level school work, all the way down to individual level. School psychs are very versatile in their knowledge, and their training is very broad.”

Educator shortages aren’t a new issue in Illinois. On Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a $70 million plan to address teacher shortages, touting his proposed Teacher Pipeline Grant Program as part of his latest budget proposal. The program would target educator vacancies in 170 Illinois school districts that account for 80% of the unfilled teaching jobs in the state.

Malecki said she believes every public school district needs a school psychologist. However, shortages and budget constraints are an ongoing barrier to providing needed services for schoolchildren.

“There is a shortage right now, so there aren’t enough school psychologists to meet just even the basic needs of those positions throughout the

state,” Malecki said. “But then, put on top of that the increased need that we’re seeing in schools and in communities for, in particular, mental health services for kids, then the need is even more dire.”

Fewer school psychologists, compared with students, leads to overloaded employees, she said.

“Even the best-trained school psychologists are not able to employ best-practice approaches when they are experiencing excessively large caseloads,” professor Michelle Demaray, the project’s co-director, said in a news release. “Importantly, this lack of mental health services specifically affects underrepresented students in high-need districts more profoundly. Students living in poverty are less likely to have insurance, making it more difficult to receive services outside of schools.”

An added grant stipulation requires NIU to recruit underrepresented candidates for the new school psychology program, including educators of color, bilingual people and men.

“You’re developing these homegrown school psychologists, meaning they’re from the community they will eventually be working in,” Malecki said. “They understand students and where they’re coming from, they can connect with them, they know resources in the community more than someone that was commuting in. Secondly, they’re more likely to stay.”

Awareness that school psychology

is an available career field for incoming college students or aspiring young educators figuring out a specialty path also should increase, Malecki said.

Since the program was announced, Malecki has fielded dozens of emails from interested educators, at least half from DeKalb schools, she said. Teachers and administrators across the state also are showing interest in the program.

Malecki said she believes the $5 million grant, administered through the U.S. Department of Education, will help fund continuing education for working professionals.

According to NIU’s website, the new program will offer the three-year intensive training for free thanks to the grant. It also will offer participants a laptop and stipend for materials and conference travel.

“Our partner districts indicated that many of their educators are interested in training to become school psychologists,” psychology professor Julia Ogg, another program co-director, said in a news release. “But they couldn’t afford to quit teaching to attend graduate school full time. Our new program addresses these financial and time concerns.”

Participants will take two courses per semester, including summers, for the first year. Participants will complete school psychology practicums once a week in the fall and spring semesters in the second year, and follow up with a full-time school psychology internship the third year. As part of the grant, participating districts have agreed to pay participants their typical educator salary during the three-year internship.

Malecki said NIU School of Psychology alumni will teach the new training course.

Each cohort will walk away with a specialist in school psychology degree, a professional educator license and a school psychology endorsement in Illinois. Graduated participants also must commit to work as a school psychologist in their respective districts for the next five years.

With the program’s announcement, the reality of the need for more specialized educators has been underscored to NIU, Malecki said.

“One thing that we are starting to talk about at NIU is how can we expand this program? How can we do more of it because the interest is so intense?” Malecki said. “Because although we’re very proud, by the end of this, we will have produced 24 new school psychologists. The needs are much more intense than that.”

Photo provided by Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University psychology professors (from left) Michelle Demaray, Julia Ogg and Christine Malecki are co-directing NIU’s new Preparing Educators as School Psychologists in Northern Illinois program, funded by a $5M federal grant.

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El programa de becas ECACE fue creado para hacer frente a la escasez de profesionales calificados ECE en Illiniois y ayudar a la fuerza laboral este campo a mejorar sus habilidades o avanzar en su programa de certificado o título.

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