Looks like DeKalb is on track to eliminating the life and health insurance benefits for City Council members. This is an important move, and not just for the savings. When Council prepares to vote on health insurance plans and premiums for management employees and union workers, its own participation creates conflicts of interest. We’ve also…
Category: City Watch
The March 17 Liquor Charges
The following comes from the April 13 City of DeKalb Notice of Hearing and Charges against O’Leary’s Irish Pub & Grill and its agent, Melvin P. Witmer, Jr. I’ve fixed a tiny typo and emboldened key information. The hearing shall relate to the following incidents: 1. That the licensee, UNIVERSAL RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. d/b/a O’LEARY’S…
Hearings on Liquor Code Violations Set
[Update: Added Krystal’s info 11:30 a.m.] The last post contained a prediction that hearings on liquor code violations from last January would be scheduled when NIU’s academic year ended. What do I win? They are scheduled for Thursday, May 13. From the Notice of Hearing and Charges issued by the City of DeKalb’s Legal Department…
Underage Drinking Violations You Haven’t Heard About
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) publishes monthly reports online about which liquor licensees have been “stung” for underage drinking violations. According to ILCC, last January three DeKalb establishments were caught serving alcohol to minors. Krystal’s, Otto’s, and Sullivan’s failed compliance checks made January 18.
Alderman Systematically Deleting E-mails
In preparing for the last City Council meeting, I came across this in the Liquor Commission meeting minutes from February (pdf p. 81). The minutes describe the discussion about whether a BYOB license is right for DeKalb. CITIZEN INPUT: Rosa Balli, Rosita’s, stated that on the onset at what point do you say no. You…
Letter Sent to Liquor License Holders
Northern Star reports today that Mayor Povlsen sent out a letter to city liquor licensees about illegal advertising, though he did not name names in it. Povlsen, who is also the liquor commissioner, did list several violations that he said “appeared to be in violation of the law.” In the letter, Povlsen said some of…
Comments on 4/12 Meeting
I jumped in about 7:30 last night, in the midst of citizens’ comments so the proclamations must have taken a long time! Here’s my assessment of what I saw. The Bad The saddest part, of course, was Council’s approval of almost all of ReNew DeKalb’s wish list. With that they closed the door on the…
Park District Prez Owes Us
I have had a very high opinion of Matt Volk for a long time. He is one of the good guys: a cheerful, caring, can-do type person who gives hundreds of volunteer hours of service to his community, year after year. But as president of the DeKalb Park District board, Volk owes his public an…
More Empathy
Well, this is weird (pdf p. 74). Ald. Gallagher stated that given the current economic conditions, the City needs a positive outlook. He implored all to stop “sniping” at one another, and encouraged people instead to get involved. He also suggested that citizens can contact the Mayor to serve on a committee. Alderman Gallagher used…
Voluntary Separation Clarification
Some are under the impression that the City of DeKalb’s Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) for Public Works and management employees allows for early retirement under Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) rules. That is not the case. IMRF does have an Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) and it’s a pretty good deal — so good, in fact,…