I want to offer a few words on my write-in candidacy for DeKalb City Clerk so it doesn’t get weird between us. I filed last Thursday, aware by that point of one other person who might be running and found out later that we are four. A public statement of candidacy and a Facebook page…
What Is the DeKalb City Attorney Talking About?
In the course of a year I submit to the city at least a half-dozen requests under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The vast majority of requests for information are filled as a matter of routine. Every once in awhile, though, the city denies something I’ve asked for by citing an exemption under…
Write-In Candidates in DeKalb County So Far
*Update: Final list of candidates is here.* In the article, “DeKalb County Certifies Preliminary Ballot,” the county clerk stated that there are about six people who have filed as write-in candidates in April’s Consolidated Election so far. As of 9:30 a.m. today there were indeed exactly six: Michael Franckowiak – Genoa Park Board Veronica Bruhl…
The Real Reason There’s a “Skating Rink Lady” in This Municipal Election
Last night I was lucky to attend the candidates’ night hosted by the DeKalb Area Rental Association. Candidates running for DeKalb mayor and aldermen participated. Some performances I liked real well, others I didn’t. Later, I realized the people who impressed me the least were the ones promising regular town hall meetings, ward coffee sessions,…
Library Talks to the City About Issuing Bonds for Its Expansion
Here’s the latest. DeKalb library leaders asked the DeKalb City Council on Monday if it would consider borrowing $7.5 million for the $24 million construction project, which would add 47,000 square feet to the 19,000-square-foot building at 309 Oak St. Library leaders need to secure $15.5 million by June 1 to qualify for an $8.5…
Be Prepared for a $24 Million Tab
The discussion about the city’s issuing bonds on behalf of DeKalb Public Library for its expansion starts at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. In order to secure the $15.5M needed for the expansion, the Library has a plan of financing for City Council consideration. The Library will use $1M in Library fund…
Facts Relating to the Library Expansion Price Tag
DeKalb Public Library has finally shared with the Daily Chronicle the expected full cost of its expansion plan: $24 million. This is amazing to me. I was there a few weeks ago and director Dee Coover told me the board had cut back the expansion plan by one-third to adjust to lowered population projections. Does…
DeKalb TIF Absurdity
Wow, today’s Chronicle article about TIF seems very one-sided and in need of additional viewpoints. That’s what blogs are for! Let’s start with the statement about Sycamore Road. DeKalb’s districts helped revitalize Sycamore Road with the additions of Target, Walmart and major shopping corridors. Revitalize? Do they think Sycamore Road was full of slums? It…
Listen Up, DeKalb. Public Meetings Must Allow Public Comment
**Update: You may have noticed we were offline most of the day yesterday, due to the host’s making a change in server hardware. The last step, restoration of data via a backup, left a draft version of this post that I’ve tinkered with and republished. Winnebago County has opened up its board committee meetings to…
Something Odd About the Public Library Construction Grant Program
Because the local library applied for a state construction grant in 2012, I decided to read up on these grants. One result of the research is doubt that all the money from a new library grant “pot” has all gone to libraries — but I am having a difficult time finding out for sure. This…