Over the last decade the district’s call volume has increased by 69% while staffing levels have continued to drop. We are on pace to have the highest call volume on record! For the first time ever, we are asking for a tax rate increase to continue to provide timely medical and emergency services to our area.
Paid
2022
GK Fire Dept. Assoc.
DeKALB – DeKalb School District 428 schools have faced their share of hiring challenges as have many industries in the era of COVID-19 that school officials say complicate efforts to promote workforce diversity.
Deetra Sallis, the district’s director of human resources, said she doesn’t believe she’s had to deal with the type of hiring challenges that she’s still facing with the district.
“Before, we would even get applica tions from people that weren’t [qualified], but now we’re getting no applications,” Sallis said. “It is really tough. I would say working in education since 2008, I’ve never seen it this tight. It has been differ ent times where it’s been tight, but not this tight.”
Sallis said diversity is important because of who the district serves.
“We serve a diverse community that has diverse students that come into our schools,” Sallis said. “There are opportu nities to see themselves reflected in our employees is a benefit to them as stu dents. It helps them work toward achiev ing goals, work toward seeing themselves reflected when they grow up. It’s a moti vator. It builds self-confidence. It sus tains a lot of different intrinsic values that people possess. In addition to that, we want our workforce to resemble our community and our student demograph ics because we want to prepare our stu dents for the world that is diverse, whether it’s in language, race, gender, whatever area.”
In 2021, data shows that the racial/eth nic makeup of DeKalb School District 428 students was 38.3% white, 24.7% Black, 29.2% hispanic, 6.1% multiethnic/multi racial, 1.4% asian and 0.3% American Indian, according to the Illinois School Report Card.
Billy Hueramo, the district’s elemen tary curriculum coordinator, said the dis trict understands the importance of hav ing a diverse workforce, especially considering “we have a lot more diverse community” and how the curriculum needs to be up-to-date and responsive to needs.
Sallis said the district employs a vari ety of means hoping to cast a wide net in its hiring.
“We do some targeting recruitment through our position postings, so we post with different groups or organizations that might be associated with diversity in some form or fashion,” Sallis said. “We
also do the same type of posting with pro fessional organizations. So, we do a vari ety of targeted postings. When there are opportunities for recruitment events, we will attend. Because of [COVID-19] though – I’ve only worked here during the time of [COVID-19] – we have not done any exten sive traveling.”
Job fairs often are held virtually, she said, although the district isn’t opposed to traveling to seek out candidates.
Sallis emphasized that hiring has been a struggle across the board but said there has been some success.
“We have become more diverse organ ically throughout our administrative staff and some positions throughout the dis trict,” Sallis said. “We haven’t seen a lot of growth in our [DeKalb Classroom Teach ers’ Association] teaching group, but we’re working on that. With the shortage, there’s a struggle with recruiting in gen eral.”
In 2021, data shows that the racial/eth nic makeup of DeKalb School District 428 administrators was 79.7% white, 10.1% Black, 7.6% hispanic and 2.5% multieth nic/multiracial, according to the Illinois School Report Card.
The same year, data shows that the racial/ethnic makeup of DeKalb School District 428 teachers was 89.5% white, 2.6% Black, 5.7% hispanic, 1.5% multieth nic/multiracial, 0.5% asian and 0.2% American Indian, according to the Illinois School Report Card.
Sarah Montgomery, the district’s sec ondary curriculum coordinator, negated the idea that it may be a balancing act for
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The Pick of the Patch in the 2022 Sycamore Lions Club Decorated Pumpkin Display Contest, created by Taylor Wesley, sits Friday, Oct. 28, on the DeKalb County Court house lawn.
See story, page 6.
Photo by Camden Lazenby –clazenby@shawmedia.com
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.
IT’S AT
“We serve a diverse community that has diverse students that come into our schools. There are opportunities to see themselves reflected in our employees is a benefit to them as students. ”
Deetra Sallis
DeKalb School District 428 director of human resources
DIVERSITY, page
Over the years, I have worked for a variety of companies and industries. In most cases, it was just a job with the goal of producing a profit for the company by increasing revenue and reducing expenses. Once I joined Resource Bank, I quickly realized that it was different - profit was the result, not the reason.
• How do we get to yes? • What can we do to improve this community?
I kept hearing things like:
• How can we make this work? • How can we help this customer?
• We need to do the right thing.
Ideas like these made me proud to share the stories about the great care our employees take with our clients and our communities.
One such story I heard made a lasting impression on me. One of our Client Advisors received a call from a customer who was in the hospital. The customer urgently needed to have a document notarized, but was unable to get to the bank due to his illness. Without hesitation, the Client Advisor told the customer that he would gladly bring his notary stamp to the hospital and notarize the document for him. Such a simple request, but it meant the world to our client and gave him one less thing to worry about during a difficult time. I believe this happened because the Client Advisor knew it was the “right thing to do.”
I invite you to experience “The Right Thing” by joining the Resource Bank family. You will be glad you did.
Local News Network
SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Valley Art League will honor six out standing art students from three local schools at its meeting at 7 p.m. Thurs day, Nov. 3, at Gallery On State, 322 W. State St., Sycamore.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Twice a year, KVAL awards two students each semester from Syca more High School, DeKalb High School and Kishwaukee College, as part of its “Art of Giving” program. Students are selected by their art teachers to be rec ognized for their work.
The students will bring pieces of their artwork to show and discuss at the general meeting. They will then receive a monetary award and certifi cate of excellence from the art league. In addition, each of the three schools will be given a monetary award to buy art supplies for their departments.
This semester’s recipients are Emily Bychowski and Hannah Sharp from Sycamore High School, taught by Dawn Cavanaugh and Erin DeWitt; Emily Ramirez and Cristal Villazana from DeKalb High School, taught by Tricia Schumacher and Chad Gregory; and Megan Larkin and Bette Wellman from Kishwaukee College, taught by Miles Halpern.
The annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Market will be held at Gallery On State on the evening of Friday, Nov. 18, during the Midnight Madness event and all day Saturday, Nov. 19. The market will feature unique holiday
gifts made by several local artists. In addition to original gift selections, art ists will offer holiday ornaments and décor items.
Art league members have begun to donate new art supplies as part of its “Art of Giving” program. Each year, members buy art supplies from a “wish list” provided by local charities. These art supplies will then be given to Barb City Manor, Safe Passage, DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center, Opportunity House and The Growing Place.
Last year, league members donated 1,500 items valued at $2,600, which were given to six organizations. Local residents who wish to participate can pick up a list of requested art supplies from Gallery On State or make a mon etary donation to be used toward the purchase of art supplies.
KVAL member Gloris Abrahami an’s artwork is being installed as part of a collaboration between OC Creative and the league at OC Creative’s office, 1600 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. Her work will be on display and available for purchase during the months of November, December and January.
A new art rotation will take place at Gallery on State on Monday, Nov. 14. New artwork is rotated every six to eight weeks at the gallery. All work on display is for sale. Artwork also is rotated at the Sycamore and DeKalb public libraries with new installments scheduled for Nov. 7 at DeKalb Library and Nov. 9 at Sycamore Library.
For information about Kishwaukee Valley Art League, visit kval-nfp.org.
SYCAMORE – A Sycamore man is accused of defrauding elderly residents amid a home repair scheme dating back to at least August, Sycamore police said. Robert J. Sam, 43, of the 600 block of Stonegate Drive in Sycamore is charged with felony aggravated home repair fraud and theft, a Class 2 felony, accord ing to DeKalb County court records. If convicted, Sam could face up to seven years in jail.
According to court records, Sam defrauded several people older than 60 in a scheme worth more than $500.
According to a news release from the Sycamore Police Department, an investi gation was launched Aug. 17 by Syca more police and DeKalb County Elder Care Services. The investigation revolved around reports of possible home repair fraud and financial exploita tion of the elderly.
Police said a two-month investigation ensued involving multiple interviews
with Sam and vic tims, and a followup investigation with area businesses.
Police obtained a warrant Oct. 11, records show, for Sam’s arrest, which was served Oct. 12.
Sam was held in custody at the DeKalb County Jail during his bond hear ing Oct. 12, records show. DeKalb County Judge Joseph Pedersen issued a $5,000 recognizance bond in Sam’s case, mean ing he was released from jail without posting money.
Sam is due back in court at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 8.
The Sycamore Police Department stated officers aren’t aware of any more victims in the case, however, anyone with additional information is asked to call Sycamore Police Det. Greyson Scott at 815-895-3435.
–KelseyRettke
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The winners of the Syca more Lions Club’s 61st annual Decorated Pumpkin Display contest were announced Thursday, Oct. 27.
The pumpkins were dis played on the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn.
5 and under
First Hendrix Askeland
Second – Kevin Porter
Third – Liliana Scott
6 to 7 years
First Hattie and Rowan
Oncken
Second Violet Roloff
Third – Rowan Wyatt
First – Will Renehan
Second – Aliza Oliver
First – Maya Sjurset
Second Madisyn Hoffman
Third Luca Hamingson
First Lexi and Nancy Gardner
Second Tessa Spengler
Third Brady and Grace Snodgrass
First Edie Schelkopf
Second – Abigail Scott
Third Madison Martin
First – Jack Kamm
Second Ayden Lythcke
Third Adara Ensalaco
8 to 9 years
First Caleb Huseman
Second Ariella Vilmeus Third Weston Johnson
First – Calli Tewksbury Second – Paysen Mueller Third – Hayden Bagg
First Brooklyn Bickner Second Chole Hardy
Third – Ema Durst
First – Carter Robinson
Second – Westy Knapp
Third – Quinn Hintzsche
First – Lily Schelkopf
Second Rori Anson
Third Cole Knapp
First – William Gladden
Second Hudson Ludwig Third Wyatt Adams
First – Genevieve Musil
Second – Nolan Reinhardt Third Evan Funkhouser
First – Olivia Ciarniello
Second – Colton and Josie Sharpness
Third – Madelynn Swanson
First Penelope Mathis
Second Duke Edberg
Third – Logan Reiswitz
First – Ella Baker
Second – Evie Remec Third – Evie Cogan
PUMPKINS,
First – Hazel Hall
Second – Norah Grollemond
Third – Bentley Harper
First – Arden Stoddard
Second – Kylie Kula
Third – Charlotte Huseman
First – Zayne Adams
Second – Fiona Holtz
Third – Adalie Galitz
7 and under
First – Wesley Snyder
Second – Elijah Scott
Third – Brody Caldwell
First – Matthew Barnes
Second – Ben Christian
Third – Lincoln Almburg
First – Jillian Jenkin
Second – Preston Weichel
Third – Maevie Schulte
First – Rosemary McConkie
Second – Anya Berry
Third – Carley and Sadie Jones
Scarecrow
11 and under
First – Emmaline and
Ruby Sauber
Second – August and Lin coln Reynolds; Cash Cieslak and Trevor Joynt
Third – Evelyn Christian
First – Layna Berry
Second – Jessica Haegeland
Third – Doty
First – Art Club
Second – Hillman Pediatric Therapy
Third – Montessori
First – KVAL-NFP
Second – Bosma Dental
Third – Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor
First – Megan Smith
Second – Ruby, Marrasy and Kerry
Third – Kyle White, Maddie and Christian Roberts
First – Brittany Szymanski
Second – Angelinn Uhren McNeely
Third – Audrey Shipley
First – Dallas Duffy
First – South Prairie
Second – North Grove
Third – Southeast
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
Nov. 4-6 and 10-12
Nov. 2-4 New Music Festival, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 Percussion Ensemble, 3 p.m.
Nov. 11 Wind Symphony, 7 p.m.
Nov. 13 Cor Cantiamo, 3 p.m.
Nov. 13 Illinois Brass Band, 7 p.m.
Nov. 14 NIU Jazz Ensemble, 7 p.m.
Nov. 15 NIU Opera Scenes, 7 p.m.
School of Art and Design – niu.edu/art High School Invitational
Jack Olson Gallery, Nov. 7-18
NIU Art Museum
Stories from My Childhood
Opens Nov. 29
DeKALB – The DeKalb High School theater department’s production of “Moon Over Buffalo” is set to open this weekend.
“Moon Over Buffalo” is set 1953, and follows husband and wife acting duo, George and Charlotte Hay, who are trying to keep their waning careers alive by doing “rep” in Buf falo, New York. Distraught, having recently been passed over for roles in the newest Frank Capra film, the cou ple learns that the famed director is flying to Buffalo to see them perform, and zany antics ensue.
George and Charlotte are joined by their daughter, Roz, who left the may hem of the theater in search of a “nor mal” life with her nervous TV weath erman fiancé, Howard. Complicating matters are Roz’s ex-boyfriend, Paul, whom everyone wants to see Roz marry, and Charlotte’s hard-of-hear
DeKALB – Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place, will hold holiday mini photo sessions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.
Photo sessions cost $225, with a 10% discount for museum members.
Chrissy Deming Photography will take photos during the sessions inside the decorated mansion’s 1912 living room. A maximum of seven people can
Continued from page 2
the district having to grapple with ensuring students feel more seen in today’s politically charged world where some people question how money is spent on books and resources.
“Students have a choice in access to different things,” Montgomery said. “We’re always making sure things are age-appropriate.”
Hueramo agreed.
“You always as a parent have the choice to opt your student out, and then we just have to provide an alter native curriculum to that student while they’re maybe in the media cen ter while we’re doing a read-aloud les
ing mother, Ethel, who has nothing but disdain for George. Rounding off the cast are Richard, the lovesick law yer who has been pining after Char lotte for years, and Eileen, the young ingénue who is infatuated with George. This farce is high on energy and laughter, with pratfalls and mis identified identities.
The cast includes Dice Clarence, Grace Blessing, Joy Corañez, Will Fontana, Gabriel Galindo, Jisela Mar quez, Kenna Nally, Iliana Rigaud and Donovan Whelan. The cast is joined by a production crew of several DeKalb High School students.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, and 10, Friday, Nov. 4 and 11, and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 12, in the DeKalb High School Black Box Theatre, 501 W. Dresser Road.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/dhs-theatre.
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–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
son in the classroom,” Hueramo said.
The district makes it a priority to examine inclusiveness and diversity of materials for core curriculum, officials said.
Montgomery said the district’s end goal is simple.
“We encourage our children no mat ter what level to be thinkers, to be ana lytical just as their parents want as a common goal that we work together for,” Montgomery said. “Parents, as we’ve engaged in different conversa tions, are appreciative of that once they understand the ‘why’ of what we’re doing. We’re not looking to indoctrinate any students. We want them to be well-versed in a diverse selection of material and to be self-thinkers.”
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The Genoa fire department was called to the E. G. Stewart home Friday evening to extinguish a small blaze in the roof, thought to have been caused from a spark from the chimney.
Plans are being completed for the opening up of the Sycamore High School to the public for radio concerts, which will be given weekly throughout the winter. The large outfit, which was presented to the school by the alumni, is already receiving reports and concerts from many different stations and is causing much enthusi asm among the students and townspeople. According to word from the school this morning, the concerts will probably start sometime next week. When the night concerts will be given will be announced a few days before, so that all may be able to attend.
Construction work on the new Broughton building in DeKalb adjoining the Knights of Columbus home is moving at a rapid rate at this time and today the bricks forming the sidewalls of the second story are being laid rapidly. Another month, provided the weather does not turn too cold, will be much of the masonry completed, and it will then be but a short time before the new building will be ready for occupancy.
According to reports on the police books today, there were a number of Halloween celebrators out last night, but as far as could be learned today there was very little damage done. Many calls were received at the police station from all parts of the city and in all cases, men were taken to the scene in fast automo biles, but no one was arrested. Probably the worst offense last night was the filling of the Fourth Street entrance of the Methodist church full of rubbish, thus causing the janitor there considerable trouble.
With another carload of steel arriving here yester day work is going to move by bounds and jumps at DeKalb’s new theater. The first car of the heavy stuff was unloaded last week, and the second car arrived here yesterday. As soon as the steel is placed, the masons and contractors will start work again and within a very short time the new building will begin to show form. Much of the interior work of the building preparatory to the steel placement has been com pleted, and it is expected that work will move rapidly now that the steel has been placed.
Lieut. Ruth Ashelford, A. N., of Clare, is enjoying a few days visit at the home of her parents Mr. and Mrs. G. Ashelford. Ruth has been serving as an army nurse in the hospital at Fort Riley, Kansas, and has just recov ered from several days’ illness, resulting from an injury to her hand.
Attention is called to the fact that motorists have been noted driving over unprotected hoses at various fires and that this is a violation and those persons driv ing over a hose are liable to prosecution. A city ordi nance states that no vehicle shall be driven over any
unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or alley by order of the chief of the fire department or other proper officers, without the consent of the chief or officer or members in charge of such hose. Another bad practice of motorists is follow ing the trucks to fires. In many instances autos follow one truck only to become an obstacle for other trucks which may be following.
Lester Lane and three sons, lifelong residents of Syc amore, have purchased the Sycamore Cab Company from Jack Munn and Lloyd Thaves. Mr. Lane reports that the business will be carried on with the same ser vice as before with the same hours and same stand. The three sons are all veterans of World War II and Mr. Lane is a veteran of World War I.
A note to those housewives who raced madly from store to store yesterday in an effort to buy large quanti ties of sugar. There’s plenty of sugar on the shelves of DeKalb grocery shelves today and the price is identical with that which has prevailed for several weeks. All government price controls were lifted from sugar at midnight last night and housewives have been buying sugar in quantity for several days in an effort to lay in supplies before prices could be raised after controls were lifted. Some of the buying bordered on the hyster ical side. One DeKalb grocer told how he quieted fears. To customers that he knew he laughed at their fears, to those he didn’t know he merely didn’t have 100-pound sacks of sugar in stock. Sugar salesmen have said that if it hadn’t been for the wave of panic buying the price probably would have declined today.
A DeKalb man is among five businessmen seeking approval of an application to operate a bank in DeKalb. R. William Terwilliger, DeKalb, along with Walter Car penter of Morris, Floyd Abramson of Chicago, James L.
Fox of Willmette and Fred Newman of Riverside, are seeking a charter for a bank. The proposed bank would be located across from Terwilliger’s store at 810 Lin coln Highway.
Mahmoud Akrawbawi, 26, is looking for a wife – fast – to prevent U.S. immigration authorities from deport ing him to his native Jordan. Akrawbawi, who has lived in DeKalb for three years, has taken some classes at Kishwaukee College and others in Chicago.
The Student Council in Malta has been very active this year. Last year it made plans for the sign in front of a Malta building. It has been completed and soon will be dedicated in memorial to Cynthia Ann Wright. Soon to be formally marked with a plaque to designate its unique place in DeKalb County’s history, the building has been owned for many years by Mr. and Mrs. C. Col man Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker was formerly the edi tor and publisher of the Genoa Republican, a weekly newspaper which was published in the building.
Officials and concerned citizens gathered last night for the rural/urban planning conference to discuss the future of DeKalb County. The 200 people in attendance talked about managing growth, preserving farmland and encouraging economic development.
When Joe Karaswski moved from the western sub urbs to Cortland four years ago, there was nothing to do for a hockey player like himself. Now he hopes there are a lot of other Joe Karaswskis out there. He announced his plan to build a mammoth indoor sport arena, including two ice hockey rinks, in DeKalb at last night’s Plan Commission meeting. If it gets built, the 94,000-square-foot arena could be DeKalb’s third indoor sports facility to be constructed within a year.
–CompiledbySueBreese
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – DeKalb city leaders reached an impasse recently debating a $75,000 request for COVID-19 relief funding made by the Egyptian The atre, while fielding calls of support for the American Rescue Plan Act money.
Among those voicing support for the nonprofit theater groups’ joint funding request were DeKalb City Council members Barb Larson, Caro lyn Morris, Tracy Smith and Scott McAdams. Aldermen Greg Perkins, Anthony Faivre and Mike Verbic and Mayor Cohen Barnes voiced opposi tion. No vote was held on the request Monday, Oct. 24.
Almost two dozen businesses have written letters of support for the Egyp tian Theater and Stage Coach funding, citing the venues’ contributions to DeKalb’s art and entertainment com munity. Several supporters showed up to ask the council to grant the funding requests.
The Egyptian Theatre and Stage Coach Players are seeking $75,000 and $25,000 in assistance from what remains of the city’s ARPA grant fund ing allotment, respectively.
Alex Nerad, Egyptian Theatre exec utive director, made a pitch to the City
Council on behalf of both organiza tions, saying they are “disproportion ately” impacted by COVID-19.
“It is important to note that our industry is far from back to normal,” Nerad said. “Across the country, ticket sales and attendance at live events con tinue to trend on average 50% of what it was before the pandemic. Locally, we
are experiencing that same trend and just like the rest of our industry, are unclear when things will improve.”
The city has about $278,000 remain ing in ARPA grant funding to distrib ute, officials said.
City Manager Bill Nicklas said the allotment in question is set aside for purposes of this type.
“It’s a small amount that would be available to address many of these concerns,” Nicklas said.
Despite city documents stating the Egyptian hadn’t disclosed that it received two other COVID-19 relief grants since the pandemic’s inception in 2020, Nerad said the Egyptian has long disclosed that information, which remains publicly posted on the the ater’s website.
According to city documents, the theater received $687,989 from the fed eral Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue grant program and $92,181 in Paycheck Protection Pro gram loans.
Dozens packed the City Council meeting to sit in on the fate the Egyp tian Theatre and Stage Coach Players’ joint request.
Joseph Flynn, associate professor for curriculum and instruction at Northern Illinois University, said the funds requested by both organizations are “sensible, financially responsible and necessary” in order to help them stay afloat.
“The modest amount will go far to ensure our community continues to have amazing opportunities to share, explore and enjoy film and theater,”
District 428 community conversations begin Nov. 2
DeKALB – The DeKalb School District 428 will host two Community Conversa tions from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, 1240 Normal Road.
The Community Conversations are open to district residents.
The focus will be on gathering feed back and answering questions about the possibility of adding a neighborhood ele mentary school at 1240 Normal Road. The building has recently served as the NIU School of Nursing, and based on pre liminary discussions, the location could be surplus to future needs and may be
an option for the district to acquire.
The Community Conversation sched ule is:
• 5 to 6 p.m., refreshments and social time
• 6 to 7 p.m., topics of conversation; question-and-answer session
Community Conversations are designed to provide a designated time for community members and students to have more opportunities to meet oth ers in the district, address topics of interest and ask questions. District rep resentatives and school leaders host the meetings. Locations vary throughout the year.
For information, visit dist428.org. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork
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Continued from page 10
Flynn said. “After all, what is a com munity without art?”
Brian Reynolds, owner of First Choice Security, urged the City Coun cil to support the joint funding request.
“They can’t run the nonprofits without it,” Reynolds said. “Volun teering is hard to come by these days. … You can’t have this great city with out the Egyptian Theatre, without Stage Coach coming down and giving a place for people to come have a safe environment and really enjoy them selves on a weekend, a weekday, or even a Pride parade.”
Faivre (7th Ward) said it’s clear that the Egyptian Theatre makes a large impact on the city, especially from an entertainment standpoint but there are other needs and uses for the ARPA grant funds.
“If people don’t want to come to the city of DeKalb because they fear vio lence might be happening or they might be a victim of crime in DeKalb, what good does additional funding to the Egyptian Theatre do at this point?” Faivre said. “I think the City Council has to make these tough decisions, and it’s not an easy decision to make. But for myself at this point, I’m not going to recommend going forward.”
Larson (2nd Ward) – who disclosed that her daughter is employed at the the ater – said she disagreed with Faivre’s remark, listing how the theater played host to recent free and educational events about community resources.
“This isn’t just about entertain ment,” Larson said. “They have put on programs for free about mental health, about community outreach, dealing with suicide. They have put on the show that we just saw the other night that will help … how to deal with rac ism and to open people’s minds and to see that we’re all the same color on the inside. I mean, it’s about supporting
Safe Passage ... I mean, it’s not just about going, showing me a movie and making me feel happy.”
Perkins (4th Ward) said he wasn’t ready to support the funding request and wants more information.
“I think everyone’s torn, and we want to make the right decision for those remaining funds,” Perkins said. “Without some vision on what we see for that, I’m a little uneasy to make a choice today. … I think there are other entities ... that, I think, would have a voice, a compelling voice for some of these funds as well. I’d just like to have a little more information in front of me before making that determination if possible.”
Nicklas stressed to city leaders that the grant funding may not be available six months from now for the council to decide on how it may be used.
“I don’t want to misrepresent that it’s just going to be hanging there and sometime in 2024 we’ll come back to it,” Nicklas said. “That would be ingenuine. I’m not going to suggest that to you.”
Nerad urged the City Council to take action.
“We started asking for these funds in June [of 2021], so it’s now been over a year and a half that we’ve been work ing with city staff and members of the City Council to try and bring this request forward,” Nerad said. “For us, this isn’t a first time. It’s been a yearand-a-half knowing that at any moment some new surprise could put one or both of our organizations out.”
It remains unclear when or if the City Council may reconsider the joint funding request.
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“This isn’t just about entertainment.”
Barb Larson DeKalb City Council
SYCAMORE – Sycamore Commu nity School District 427 officials debated the pros and cons of commu nity solar projects recently during a discussion that revolved around ways for the district to save money on energy costs.
The Sycamore school board con sidered the benefits of community solar after hearing a presentation from Mark Nakayama, part owner of sustainable energy investment and development firm, 11 Million Acres.
“At the end of the day, the goal is to deliver lower costs of power to the school district without having to invest any money up front, and with out having to install any equipment or be responsible for the servicing and maintenance of that equipment on-site,” Nakayama said.
Community solar gardens are a project in which individuals, busi
nesses and organizations can buy or subscribe to an allotment of solar panels inside a solar array, which is a collection of panels installed together.
The subscribers of a community solar garden enter into an agreement that enables the funding for a solar installation somewhere within their utility’s service territory.
One entity – in this case, 11 Million Acres – pays for the upfront costs to build, maintain and connect the gar den to the utility’s power grid, and subscribers pay the owner of the gar den for their allocation of produced electricity.
Then the owner of the garden reports the output of each solar sub scription to the utility company. The company then takes that output and gives credits toward the subscriber’s electric bill.
The electricity going to a subscrib er’s home doesn’t come from the solar panels but rather the overall electrical grid. State subsidies, along with the creation of new electricity from the solar panels, lowers the market price by decreasing the need for other power plants.
Nakayama said 11 Million Acres’ initial analysis shows Sycamore
school district would save around $41,600 annually through credits that can be applied to its electric bill. However, he said that number may vary over time as energy prices changes.
“But for the most part our goal is to save the school district about $41,000 a year simply by just rolling into community solar,” he said.
During the meeting, school board member Eric Jones asked Nakayama how the projected $41,600 in annual savings would be affected by chang ing energy prices. Nakayama said the credits are based on the default rates given by ComEd.
“If the market goes up, not great for everyone who’s paying ComEd,” Nakayama said. “But your monetary credits will also trend upward and you’ll get 10% up to that $41,600 a year.”
If the Sycamore district agreed to the contract proposed by 11 Million Acres, the district would be bound to the agreement for 10 years.
Jim Dombek, board president, asked if the $41,600 cap could become a floating cap that scales with the increase in electricity costs over the 10-year period of the contract.
“In my experience, I’ve never seen
electric prices go down and I would be extremely surprised if in the future that happens,” Dombeck said. “In fact, I would say that all portends are that electric prices are going to go up and up and up and up.”
Nakayama said while he under stands Dombeck’s concern, 11 Mil lion Acres usually has a set struc ture.
While community solar is a way for the school district to potentially lower energy costs, the desire for solar energy goes hand in hand with the threat of climate change. To that end, the Illinois Community Solar program stems from the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act. The legislation allows for energy consumers to pur chase a portion of electricity pro duced through a community solar garden and in return receive credits on their electric bill.
After Nakayama’s presentation, Dombek told the board he thinks community solar could be a great thing but would like to see the dis trict assured it would get, propor tionally, the same discount for 10 years.
“In fact, if there was a float, I mean, I’d say, ‘Yeah, absolutely. Let’s go,’” Dombek said.
DeKALB – Area businesses gath ered Thursday, Oct. 27, for a seminar to discuss what they called low work force participation rates and how to attract and retain employees.
“The Vanishing Workforce” semi nar was hosted by DeKalb County Eco nomic Development Corp. at Faran da’s Banquet Center in DeKalb.
Patrick Dolan, a corporate devel oper for the largest franchised staffing company in the world – Express Employment Professionals – spoke to a banquet hall filled with DeKalb County business representatives about how to attract and retain talent and staff.
“It’s fitting that we’re coming up on Halloween because some of this stuff is scary,” Dolan said.
Dolan said the nation’s workforce participation rate – which was 62.5% in September, according to the U.S. Department of Labor – is 5% lower than what it was in 2000.
The pandemic, Dolan said, exacer bated a trend of lower workforce par ticipation that has been growing since 2000, when the workforce participa tion rate peaked.
Dolan said there was an expectation
the workforce participation rate would grow after the majority of the popula tion was vaccinated against COVID-19, but that prediction never materialized.
“And then we thought, ‘OK, wages are going up across the board to try and bring people in, they’re going to come back,’ but they didn’t,” Dolan said.
Prime age working men, 25- to 54-year-olds, have undertaken what Dolan called “an unprecedented flight from work.” Seven million men in that age range aren’t in the workforce and are “affirmatively not looking” for work, Dolan said.
“We have a lower participation rate for these men. That labor force partic ipation hasn’t been this low since the early 1940s,” Dolan said.
Dolan attributed the workforce par ticipation rate to the availability of welfare, the opioid crisis, and the demand for a more equal work life bal ance from millennial workers.
According to the labor bureau, eco nomic strife exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the country’s workforce, as jobs were lost and wages impacted by loss of sales.
“Work-life balance, it was never a big deal,” Dolan said. “I mean it was a big deal, I would have loved to have it, but it wasn’t something that I demanded for sure.”
That contrasts with the psycho graphics of previous generations, par ticularly the baby boomer generation. That subset of the population was the vast majority of the workforce for the later half of the 20th century, but by 2002 they began leaving the workforce. Dolan said their departure was at a manageable rate until the pandemic created a surge of retirements that hasn’t let up.
“Boomers were the workforce, for years and years and years, massive numbers,” Dolan said. “They were gen erally educated, they were hardwork ing, they were loyal and submissive. I don’t say that in a bad way, it sounds bad, right? I don’t say it in a bad way.”
Dolan said boomers took whatever their employer threw at them, be it a move, an employment termination or something that may be perceived as unfair by workers today.
Compared with older generations, millennials and Gen Z have more career options, such as driving for Uber or starting a business on Shopify , that diverge from the traditional type of employment.
“And then there’s all these new potential career choices,” Dolan said. “Influencers. Did you hear about these influencers that are making tens of millions of dollars? It’s insane.”
According to ZipRecruiter, 33% (the 25th percentile) of social media influ encers make between $26,000 and $31,999 a year. The overall average pay of a social media influencer is $41,047 a year, and anyone making more than $75,000 to $80,000 a year is considered an outlier.
Dolan said crypto currency trading has been another alternative income source that wasn’t available in past decades. However, he said he thinks the likelihood of people becoming mil lionaires or billionaires with crypto currency is low.
Regardless of the reasons for the shrinking workforce, companies are having to change the way they recruit.
Dolan said companies need to estab lish why a potential employee would want to work for them, establish a vision that goes beyond just numbers, and cultivate a culture that drives employee retention.
“Culture is how your employees’ hearts and stomachs feel on Sunday night,” Dolan said.
Dolan said a job posting should no longer be a laundry list of what a com pany wants in an employee but instead be a marketing document designed to showcase the opportunity.
DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University New Music Festival will cel ebrate its 10th year with three consecu tive evenings of music from Wednes day, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 4.
The programs begin at 7 p.m. Tick ets are available through the online School of Music Box Office.
The festival begins Wednesday eve ning in the Music Building Recital Hall. The program will feature electro acoustic music by guest composers Alexis C. Lamb and Elainie Lillios, as well as works by NIU faculty and stu dent composers Mark Snyder, Brian Penkrot and David Maki, Ethan Pat terson, and Elena Stavropolous. NIU’s Christopher Scanlon and Jonah Payne, and guest cellist Nick Photinos are featured soloists.
Lamb and Lillios will offer a talk on the art of listening at 11 a.m. Thurs day, Nov. 3, in the All-School Convoca tion at the NIU School of Music’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. The presentation will feature segments of music by both composers performed during the festival as well as philo
Genoa Garden Club meeting Nov. 10 at Resource Bank
GENOA – The Genoa Garden Club will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thurs day, Nov. 10, at Resource Bank’s Genoa branch, 310 Route 23.
Admission to the meeting is free and it is open to the public.
The meeting’s featured guest speaker is Amanda Montgomery. Her program, “All About Hemp and CBD,”
Continued from page 13
Resource Bank, a financial institu tion with 10 locations in DeKalb County, sent Debbie Bex, the bank’s director of human resources to the seminar. Bex said she came because “just like many of the professionals” who attended the seminar, the bank is facing challenges with recruiting and retaining employees.
Bex said the seminar reinforced what Resource Bank has been inter nally talking about for the past several years.
sophical ideas forged by pioneering American composer Pauline Oliveros.
The festival’s second concert is Thursday evening in the NIU Concert Hall. The program will feature perfor mances by the NIU Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir, the NIU Philhar monic, the NIU Percussion Ensemble, the NIU New Music Ensemble of music by John Cage, Alexis C. Lamb, several NIU student composers, and special guest Argentinean choral composer, Santiago Veros.
The composition department is offering a composition seminar featur ing both Lillios and Lamb at 3 p.m. Fri day, Nov. 4, in the Music Building Room 202.
The New Music Festival will close with a concert hall program featuring the Avalon String Quartet, guest art ists Daphne Gerling and I-Jen Fang, the NIU Steelpan Graduate Quartet, student soloist Jonah Payne, and Fes tival Artistic Director Gregory Beyer on Friday evening.
A post-festival reception will be held at Tapa La Luna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.
For information, call 815-753-7981 or email gbeyer@niu.edu.
The following are the times and locations of Early & Grace Period Voting Sites in DeKalb County for the General Election being held on November 8, 2022.
*All Early & Grace Period Voting Sites are available to all DeKalb County Voters*
Sycamore Campus Legislative Center’s Gathertorium 200 N. Main St., Sycamore, IL 60178
Early & Grace Period Voting
Serving ALL County Precincts
September 29th – October 28th
Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Grace Period Registration Begins – October 12th
October 12th Wednesday
*County Board CoW 8:30am - Noon
October 19th Wednesday
*County Board Meeting 8:30am - Noon
October 29th – October 30th Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm
October 31st – November 4th Monday – Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm
November 5th – November 6th Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm
November 7th Monday 8:30am - 7:00pm
DeKalb Township Building 2323 S. 4th St., DeKalb, IL 60115
Early & Grace Period Voting
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
will provide information and insights about her business practices and prod ucts. Montgomery is one of the owners and operators of AM and PM Hemp Farm in Kirkland, which produces food, fiber and cannabinoids. AM and PM Hemp Farm began growing hemp for cannabidiol in 2020 after marijuana was re-legalized in 2018.
For information, call 815-751-3165. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork
“Really, nothing shocked me or sur prised me,” Bex said. “I think it just reinforces this flexibility requirement that people ... we have to figure out how to have flexible work places for people’s work schedules.”
Paul Callighan, a DCEDC executive board member and co-chairman of the Business Retention/Talent Pipeline Committee, said the seminar was well attended by area businesses.
“I think this just shows the benefit of having an economic development orga nization looking at the whole county trying to help business owners be able to bring prosperity to the area,” Cal lighan said.
NIU-Holmes Student Center Gallery Lounge 340 Carroll Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
Early & Grace Period Voting
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Kingston Friendship Center 120 Main St., Kingston, IL 60145
Early & Grace Period Voting
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sandwich Library 925 S. Main St., Sandwich, IL 60548
Early & Grace Period Voting
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Dated at Sycamore, Illinois, September 19, 2022
DOUGLAS J. JOHNSON DEKALB COUNTY CLERK & RECORDERSYCAMORE – Charlie Coyle, a mem ber of Boy Scouts of America Troop 2810 chartered out of Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore, recently completed his Eagle project benefiting an organization dealing with agriculture.
Coyle, a member of FFA, wanted the project to benefit the DeKalb Area Agri cultural Heritage Association.
He consulted with DAAHA board member Chrissie Manis, and came up with a plan to build two cabinets on cas tors for easy mobility. The cabinets can be used as both shelves and tables. Coyle, along with his mentor, Chris Ploog, designed the cabinets, pre-cut the necessary melamine pieces, and assem bled them.
To qualify as an Eagle Scout, Coyle had to earn 21 merit badges, have his project
approved by a committee, hold a leader ship position in his Boy Scout troop, and move through all prior scout levels.
For information, email 2810scout master@gmail.com.
Read to Rover Nov. 4 and 18 at the DeKalb library
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host Read to Rover ses sions at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18, in the library’s children’s department. Emma, a collie and a Canine Good Cit izen, will visit the library to listen to chil dren read. Children can register at the Youth Reference Desk for a 10-minute time slot to read to Emma during the program.
For information, call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350, or visit the Youth Services Desk.
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
DeKALB – A 2023 property tax levy adopted Monday, Oct. 24, by the DeKalb City Council could allow for no increase in the city’s share of the tax burden imposed on homeowners and property owners.
At the meeting, DeKalb city lead ers directed city staff to move ahead with plans to place the levy into the city’s budget for 2023. A final budget has not yet been presented to the council or voted on yet for fiscal year 2023.
When faced with three tax levy options, the DeKalb City Council backed a proposal that would contain no property tax rate increase for DeKalb homeowners this year.
City Manager Bill Nicklas made his pitch to the council, recommend ing that it back the levy without the projected tax increase.
“We found out where we were with our aggregate rate and it was too high and it’s hurting us,” Nicklas said.
The city’s aggregate levy has been higher than neighboring communi ties of St. Charles, Geneva, Elgin, Batavia, South Elgin, North Aurora and East Dundee in many cases, according to city documents.
“We’re paying 50% sometimes more of the property tax that would otherwise be owed by many of the new companies coming in to invite them here,” he said. “That’s the price of decades of charging too much in terms of property tax.”
The new equalized assessed valua tion for properties is not yet known, according to city officials. But the county supervisor of assessment is
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will offer makerspace hours from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, in the library’s 309 Cre ative Room.
Participants can use the Creative Room to during open lab hours to access all of the tools in the space. Staff will be present to offer basic assistance as their expertise allows.
Registration is not required.
For information, email techdesk@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2851.
projecting that the city’s equalized assessed valuation would amount to $768,500,000 with a 0.92% tax rate.
“There’s a lot of spitballing that happens,” Nicklas said. “And you can try to be conservative.”
Nicklas said another issue the city is grappling with is the state’s pen sion system. According to city docu ments, revenue collected from the city’s property tax levy has for years been exclusively used to pay down its police and fire pension debt.
“By 2040, 90% of all of our funds –police and fire – have to be funded 90%,” he said. “Many of them are in our own, I’d say, the high 40s in terms of funding, which is fine. No cata clysm is likely to cause all of that to be paid out at any one time.”
Nicklas, noting that the issue doesn’t rest with first responders, said they’re paying into the system as it’s been designed.
He acknowledged that state law makers have taken some steps to cor rect the pension system but they’ve not gone far enough.
Nicklas said something has to give.
“Every dollar of the property tax that comes into the city of DeKalb based on past levies, every dollar goes into the downstate pensions, plus this year what we’re going to have to spend is over $1.7 million in additional sales and use taxes or whatever else is in the general fund pot,” Nicklas said. “It’s insupport able.”
The City Council is expected to weigh in on the budget in the coming weeks.
On Friday, November 11th, the DeKalb and Sycamore Elks Clubs and The Lincoln Inn will be hosting a Drive Through Dinner and providing
meals to Veterans in our community.
Dinners can be purchased for $17 and include roast pork, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and sweet corn. Proceeds from your dinner purchase will be used to provide complimentary meals for our local Veterans.
People should call to reserve veterans meals by Tuesday, November 8th. Visit www.lincolninntogo.com for details.
DeKALB – The DeKalb County Retired Teachers Association will hold its next meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Lin coln Inn at Faranda’s, 302 Grove St.
Retired teachers are encouraged to attend. Reservations are required by Fri day, Nov. 4.
Executive Director Jim Bachman will be the featured guest speaker. Attend ees can ask Bachman questions about the changes in health insurance.
To RSVP, call 815-895-5494.
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
Retired teachers group to meet Nov. 9 in DeKalb
All the following individuals listed here endorse the election of Tasha Sims as DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder and ask the voters to make the right choice in the General Election on November 8, 2022.
DeKalb County Farm Bureau Political Committee
Tim Bagby, DeKalb County Board Member, Republican Central Committee Chair
Frank Beierlotzer
Kevin Buick
Kathy Busch
Judy Butler
Hon. Judge John Countryman (ret.)
Dan Cribben
Karen Cribben, DeKalb County Board Member
Bill Cummings, DeKalb County Board Member
Patrick Deutsch, DeKalb County Board Member
Ken Dander
Lynn Dander
Laurie Emmer, DeKalb County Board Member
John Emerson, DeKalb County Board Member
John Frieders, DeKalb County Board Chairman
Linda Frieders
Jeremy Grubbs
Lori Grubbs, DeKalb County Circuit Clerk
Rhonda Henke
Sharon Holmes, DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder (ret.)
Christine Johnson, DeKalb County Treasurer (ret.)
Jim Johnson, Shabbona Township Supervisor
Doug Johnson, DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder
Sue Johnson
Maureen Josh, DeKalb County Circuit Clerk (ret.)
Jeff Keicher, State Representative—IL General Assembly, 70th Dist.
Sara Lamberty
Christina Lamphere
Don Lampkins
Kathy Lampkins, DeKalb County Board Member, Sycamore Township
Dr. Curt Lang, Former Mayor, City of Sycamore
Karen Lang
Sarah Leif
Dianne Leifheit, DeKalb County Board Member
Laura Lind
Maureen Little, DeKalb County Board Member John Lyon Sandy Lyon Ron Mack
Toni Mack
Jim MacMurdo, Former DeKalb County Board Member
Colleen McConnaughay
Dennis Miller, DeKalb County Coroner Jill Miller
Elsie Morrisey
Bridget Nodurft, DeKalb County Chief County Assessment Officer
Jerry Osland, DeKalb County Board Member
Roy Plote, DeKalb County Board Member
Jessica Rugerio
Roger Scott, DeKalb County Sheriff (ret.)
Brian Siwicki
Gennie Siwicki
Ging Smith
Jerry Smith, Former Mayor, City of DeKalb
Becky Springer, DeKalb County Treasurer
Brad Stone, Town of Cortland
Marilyn Stromborg
Dr. Paul Stromborg
Andy Sullivan, DeKalb County Sheriff
Dave Syverson, State Senator—IL General Assembly, 35th Dist.
Andy Vanatta
Larry West, DeKalb County Board Member
Judy Witanowski
MALTA – Kishwaukee College has an updated strategic plan after a yearlong process. The Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees voted to approve the plan during its October board meeting.
“Updating the College Strategic Plan was a collaborative effort by our entire college community,” Laurie Borowicz, Kish College president, said in a news release. “It is reflective of where we are now as an institution and looks to the future on how we best serve our region going forward.”
Kish’s strategic plan was last updated in 2018. The college sought to revise the plan because of the changing landscape of higher education and the evolving needs of students and the community. John Newton and Associates helped
DeKalb County GOP headquarters opens
SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Republican Party headquarters, 852 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb, is now open for supporters and the public to obtain information about the party’s candi dates running in the November election.
Free yard signs for all GOP candidates are available upon request. The office is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Satur day through October.
To request signage, email dkcoun tyrepublicans@gmail.com or call 815641-5253.
Rotaract Club of Sycamore to hold dinner fundraiser Nov. 16
SYCAMORE – The Rotaract Club of Sycamore will host a four-piece chicken strip dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednes day, Nov. 16, at Sycamore United Meth odist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.
The dinner is part of the church’s Wednesday Drive-Thru Dinner commu nity outreach program. This is the last Wednesday Drive Thru Dinner for the year. The dinners will resume in the spring of 2023.
The meal, provided by The Dirty Bird, includes four chicken strips, french fries, coleslaw and a roll.
Dinners can be picked up by entering the SUMC south parking lot and follow ing the posted signs to drive around the
facilitate the planning process.
The new plan will provide updates to the college’s mission, vision, and equity statements, as well as the college’s val ues and strategic initiatives. A purpose statement was added to help guide orga nizations by telling the story of why Kishwaukee College exists. The purpose statement reads: “Kishwaukee College: Helping you create the life you want.”
Kish leadership initially began gath ering information and ideas about updating the Strategic Plan from employees in August 2021. Over the last year, Kish sought feedback from stu dents, the community and the Board of Trustees. The input and data have been discussed and reviewed to craft the new plan.
To view the new strategic plan in its entirety, visit kish.edu/strategicplan.
back of the church.
Tickets cost $15 and must be pur chased in advance no later than Wednesday, Nov. 9. To buy tickets, visit the SUMC office or go online to the events section of the church’s Facebook page.
The Rotaract Club of Sycamore is a service and fellowship organization for young professionals that falls under the Rotary International umbrella and works toward bettering their community and the world as a whole.
For information, call 815-895-9113.
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host retirement plan ning workshops at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tues day, Nov. 8, in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room.
Participants can learn more about planning for health care costs in retire ment with the Planning for Retirement Health Care Costs program. It was cre ated to help people understand the health care cost landscape – both what it will look like in retirement and the options available to pre-retirees today.
Participants also can learn about how to prepare for their retirement.
No registration is required.
For information, email brittak@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2100.
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
The Gen. John Stark Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently celebrated its 115th anniversary. The Oct. 1 celebration at the Kishwaukee County Club in DeKalb included a program presentation, “The History of Gen. John Stark’s Chapter.” The program recalled the chapter’s founding on June 22, 1907, by 30 charter members. The program also featured the resting places of some of the founding members at Elmwood Cemetery and a review of past projects the group has tackled. Those included a marker in Squaw Grove designating the first permanent settlement in DeKalb County; a bronze plaque at the Coltonville site where President Abraham Lincoln spoke and the first county court was held; 66 trees planted in Sycamore Park in memory of World War I veterans; participation in Honor Flights and Wreaths Across America; scholarships given to local students; and books that have been donated to area libraries. Chapter Regent Mary Pritchard also congratulated the chapter on the many awards it has received from national and state organizations. Chapter member Eldonna Willrett earned individual awards from both organizations. New members Peggy Delano and Pat Schiesser were welcomed into the chapter. For information, email GeneralJohnStarkNSDAR@gmail.com.
DeKALB – Northern Illinois Universi ty’s Founders Memorial Library will host a lecture given by Paulette Hasier, chief of the Maps and Geography Division at the Library of Congress, at 5:30 p.m. Wednes day, Nov. 9.
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public.
The lecture will discuss the Library of Congress’s geog raphy and map col lections and the importance of geographical information and data. The lecture is the first in NIU’s Women in STEM Speaker Series.
A reception will be held before the lecture.
Hasier is an alumna of NIU with a bachelor’s degree in history. She holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in library science from the University of North Texas.
For information, email Library Friends@niu.edu.
