News
Monday, March 16, 2015
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In Brief
Indie rock and pop hit The House Cafe
2 teams form for student elections Northern Star staff
DeKalb | The 2015 Student Association executive election candidates have split into two tickets as campaigning continues in anticipation of the March 24 and 25 election. According to the SA bylaws’ campaign regulations, candidates can choose to run in teams. The candidates have created Facebook pages where they list their experience in the SA and on campus. The Voice of Change, led by SA presidential candidate Nathan Lupstein, has a page at on.fb.me/1CjyEJz, and Standing for Every Student, led by SA presidential candidate Ben Donovan, is available at on.fb.me/1EnYcUY.
Ryan Ocasio | Northern Star
Moriah Hoyt (left), of Elgin, performs vocals and bass with Amber Flight on Saturday at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. The House Cafe will hold an Open Mic today with signups beginning at 7:30 p.m. and performances at 8 p.m.
The Voice of Change President: Nathan Lupstein Vice President: Reggie Bates Treasurer: Marc Calvey Student trustee: Raquel Chavez Standing for Every Student President: Ben Donovan Vice President: Robert Kreml Treasurer: Gladys Sanchez Election commissioner David White will moderate an executive candidate debate 7 p.m. Thursday in the Holmes Student Center, Capital Room, and elections will take place online at Huskie Link, niu.collegiatelink. net, a social networking website, March 24 and 25.
Ryan Ocasio | Northern Star
Moriah Hoyt (left), of Elgin, performs vocals and bass with band Amber Flight on Saturday at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. For more information on Amber Flight, go to on.fb.me/1FmksjA.
Ryan Ocasio | Northern Star
Pop artist Skye Daru sings and plays bkeyboard Saturday at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. Go to skyedaru.com for upcoming shows and music from Skye Daru.
DeKalb funds may be cut by $2.2M Rauner’s proposal slashes local funds Alexander Chettiath Staff writer
DeKalb | The city of DeKalb might see state funds cut by $2.2 million, about half of what it receives now, for Fiscal Year 2016. The cuts will reduce the Local Government Distributive Fund, a fund taken from income tax the state receives and adds into local governments’ general funds. DeKalb’s current general revenue fund is close to $35 million. In DeKalb, the Local Government Distributive Fund is used for police and fire services, roads and sidewalks, planning and zoning initiatives, public safety, water and sewer and public works, said DeKalb Mayor John Rey. Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed cutting the Local Government Distributive Fund to help with the $6.2 billion budget hole for FY 2016. In his February budget address, Rauner said the amount of money transferred to local governments has grown 42 percent over the past decade and $6 billion is transferred every year, despite local governments having $15 million in cash reserves. Negotiations for increasing the percentage of income tax that goes into the fund are making their way through the House in the form of a bill cosponsored by Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley. The bill looks
Northern Star File Photo
DeKalb city workers lay down asphalt and repair potholes on Knolls Avenue on Feb. 27, 2014. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal to cut the Local Government Distributive Fund, which is used for public safety, roads and public works, would leave the city of DeKalb with $2.2 million, about half of what it receives now, in Fiscal Year 2016.
to amend the Income Tax Act so the fund would rise from 8 percent to 8.5 percent for 2016 and increase to 10 percent by 2019, Pritchard said. “There is an important provision that it mandates a monthly transfer of funds. Right now those transfers have often been delayed as the governor struggled to make cash flow,” Pritchard said. The Metro West Council of Government, an association of municipalities serving DeKalb, Kane and Kendall counties, stated their disappointment in Rauner’s proposed cuts to local government funds during a Feb. 24 news conference. Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, president of the council, said other Illinois residents rely on Elgin for services, such as resources for victims
of domestic violence, and may not be able to access those services if the cuts are made. “With the record of fiscal stewardship by municipal governments encouraged by accountability to local voters, I believe it’s a compelling argument to drive additional value for taxpayers by maintaining the municipal share of the Local Government Distributive Fund revenue,” Rey said. DeKalb County will lose close to $800,000 from its Local Government Distributive Fund. A variety of county offices will be adversely affected by this cut, including the sheriff’s department, treasurer’s office, county clerk’s office, planning and zoning and county assessment office, said DeKalb County Treasurer Christine Johnson.
News conference To view a video of a Feb. 24 where local officials from DeKalb, Kane and Kendall counties stated their disappointment in the proposed local government cuts, go to bit.ly/1NYE4hA. “We think it’s important to have conversations and keep a line open with the governor and the General Assembly. I think they are aware of how important this funding is to our counties and our cities. We are anxious to find a solution that is least detrimental,” Johnson said. Rauner’s budget and the proposed cuts are being debated by the Legislature. A vote on the state budget is expected to be held in the summer.
Trustees OK $1K health insurance Northern Star staff
DeKalb | Student health insurance through NIU will cost about $1,052 per semester during the 2015-16 academic year. The Board of Trustees approved the plan at its Thursday meeting. Health insurance during the 2014-15 academic year cost $744. Eric Weldy, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, has said the cost is increasing because of benefits that must be added under the Affordable Care Act. Benefits added to the health insurance plan, which students may opt out of, include hospitalizations, emergency services and full coverage of prescription drugs, among other things.
Phillips, Squires join Baker VPs Northern Star staff
DeKalb | Al Phillips and Catherine Squires have been officially added to NIU President Doug Baker’s cabinet following a Thursday Board of Trustees vote. Phillips is the chief financial officer and vice president of Administration and Finance and Squires is the vice president of University Advancement. She will also serve as president of the NIU Foundation. Phillips’ and Squires’ appointments were announced in January. They were approved by the trustees Thursday with their roles starting effective March 1.