Since last spring, I’ve submitted several requests with City of DeKalb for information about school resource police officers’ ticketing of children in local schools, a practice in more than 160 school districts statewide, including District 428. Here, I want to summarize data I’ve obtained that readers might find useful in evaluating the administrative hearing program.…
Author: Lynn Fazekas
DeKalb’s unable to produce hearing notices for ordinance violations — here’s why it’s important
Below is a copy of a citation issued in DeKalb last spring for the ordinance violation of “Fighting within the City.” According to a file obtained via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the person connected to the violation ended up owing the city $1,147.50 for this violation and was sent to collections. I asked…
DeKalb must overhaul ordinances if it insists on prosecuting kids
***2nd Update 10/7/2022: This week in the DeKalb Municipal Code I’ve found a provision for “court supervision” that includes community service, but am leaving this recommendation in the post because at this point I don’t know if or how it’s used. ***Update 9/15/2022: Pro Publica is hosting a virtual event on the subject of police…
Ward meeting discovery: Alderman McAdams is having trouble keeping up
Fifth Ward alderman Scott McAdams held a ward meeting last week. I’ve listened to a recording of it that’s making the rounds. One item of note from the meeting is the alderman’s admission that he’s not read the draft update of DeKalb’s comprehensive plan even though the city is collecting public input. I’ve transcribed his…
Letter: County board member Scott Campbell explains his votes this week
On Wednesday evening, DeKalb County Board held a special meeting to vote on three items: Placing a referendum on the November ballot asking county residents to approve a property tax levy to maintain DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center (DCRNC). Accepting Saba Healthcare’s Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase DCRNC. Accepting Illuminate HC’s LOI to…
DeKalb County and the prospect of multiple and unknown buyers of its skilled nursing facility
On Facebook, I promised this week to trace the connections between the Hunter Properties people and Saba Healthcare, LLC, one of the companies interested in purchasing DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing (DCRNC). The connections may be an issue for people in the area, because City of DeKalb spent a lot of time and money pursuing…
A sexual harassment complaint against a housing authority employee
***UPDATE 7/6/22*** Housing authority has released the complaints as the PAC requested. They’re the same as the ones I obtained from an alternative source, except the authority has redacted personal information from them. I’ve placed the file in the FB group, here. In January 2022, on a tip, I sent a Freedom of Information Act…
Determination: DeKalb must release locations of license plate readers
The Public Access Counselor of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has determined that City of DeKalb improperly denied a Freedom of Information Act request for the locations of its license plate reader cameras (LPRs). DeKalb fought release of the information beyond all reason. This post examines three ways the city embarrassed itself doing it. The…
Determination: housing authority must release complaint against its employee
The Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC) has informed the local housing authority that it must release a sexual harassment complaint against one of its employees. Last winter, it came to my attention that a sexual harassment complaint against an employee of the Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb (HACD) had been sent…
The depot’s place in a comprehensive development plan
During DeKalb’s last Planning & Zoning Committee (P&Z) meeting, a member of the public asked whether Union Pacific Railroad intended to sell its old train depot. The reply: City Manager Nicklas responded he has had several conversations regarding the rumor of Union Pacific selling the depot, however as far as he knows they are not…