DeKalb City Council

Citing the turnover that’s plagued the city clerk’s office in recent years and a desire for stability, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he’d liked to see Bradley Hoey elected to the position.

Motorists whose southbound commute includes Annie Glidden Road at the underpass could soon see smoother roadways after DeKalb city action this week. Plans to repave the southbound road at the underpass could be complete by August, city officials said.

This spring, DeKalb County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Public safety and infrastructure were among hot topics discussed by DeKalb Ward 2 aldermanic candidates during a recent Daily Chronicle forum. Incumbent Barbara Larson seeks reelection against candidate Michael Embrey.

Read the transcript: Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, candidates for DeKalb City Council Ward 2 talked about housing and more issues that face DeKalb ahead of the April 1 election

Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, candidates for DeKalb City Council Ward 2 debated the issues facing DeKalb ahead of the April 1 election in a Shaw Local candidates forum with Kelsey Rettke and Megann Horstead

eKalb Ward 7 residents are invited to a meeting on March 27 led by Alderman John Walker, where members of the public can expect to talk about local issues of the day.

Candidates seeking to represent Ward 2 on the DeKalb City Council, incumbent Barbara Larson and Michael Embrey, talked top issues and goals for the office in a virtual forum this week with Daily Chronicle news staff.

DeKalb officials recently said they want to set the record straight about considerations to build a roundabout at North First Street and Sycamore Road. Here's what to know

Barbara Larson on roundabouts in DeKalb: People are either 100% against them or 100% for them, no middle ground. I am thankful we voted to have an in-depth study conducted to see what might work best at north First Street and DeKalb Ave

DeKalb didn’t report any homicides in 2024, a relief to Police Chief David Byrd who said this week that downward trending violent crime was a goal for his department over the past year. Robberies also were down, though burglary was up.

City leaders this week issued sharp rebukes after they said multiple Latino-owned businesses in DeKalb recently were targeted by letters filled with what Mayor Cohen Barnes called “hate speech.”

Justin Carlson on a top priority for DeKalb: Safety - continue investing in our Police departments and first responders

Michael Embrey on roundabouts in DeKalb: Roundabouts can be useful in the right situation. The roundabout south of town in the industrial area has been helpful with semi-trucks moving more efficiently

The city of DeKalb wants drivers of electric vehicles to know they’re welcome in town, as officials consider a local policy step that could ease restrictions on where vehicle charging stations can go.

A former DeKalb police chief has a new gig in the city.

Plans to redevelop two downtown DeKalb buildings – the former Eduardo’s Restaurant and McCabe’s – became one step closer to reality this week after the City Council approved two TIF loans.

A candidate for mayor voiced some concerns this week for newly approved bus route changes in DeKalb. The changes, which city staff said were meant to address safety, ridership numbers and route efficiency, take effect March 9.

Linh Nguyen, a Northern Illinois University educator and former League of Women Voters president, has likely secured her name on the ballot for April’s DeKalb mayoral race after Tuesday’s primary election.

Route changes could be coming to DeKalb’s public transit operations, with new bus schedules going into effect next month. Proposed changes would address safety, NIU student weekend traffic, ridership numbers and more, documents show.

DeKalb mayoral hopefuls got their chance to meet with voters and share their platforms this week during a public forum, where taxes, business growth and the role of city committees took center stage.

As the city of DeKalb seeks to comply with state requirements mandating municipalities replace residential water pipes lined with lead, officials this week approved a series of steps meant to begin the replacement process.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County recently released a report detailing how it utilized donations to aid those impacted by the devastating Hillcrest Road apartment fire that occurred days before Christmas.

DeKalb city leaders recently faced questioning over a newly-instituted measure that allows police officers to patrol buses.

Newly appointed DeKalb County Judge Jill Konen presided over her first hearing Monday in the mayoral legal battle waged between the DeKalb Electoral Board and candidate Linh Nguyen.

The City of DeKalb is seeking to dismiss a petition to remove mayoral candidate Linh Nguyen from voters’ ballots in the April 1 consolidated election. In response, Nguyen said the filing was "A blatant attempt to deny voters their right to choose their mayoral candidate."

A petitioner has asked the City of DeKalb for permission to set up an automobile sales business along East Lincoln Highway.

A roundabout is planned for North First Street and Sycamore Road in DeKalb, after City Council action this week.

Nick Mahoney of Donato Solar said unlike like the Meta DeKalb Data Center, his company is proposing a smaller, standalone data center. He said he anticipates very little foot traffic to and from this development.

A developer wants city permission to install a solar field and data center on about 30 acres of land west of Peace Road in DeKalb, documents show. The land also would need to be annexed into city limits if approved.

The DeKalb City Council this week gave its final nod of approval to a plan aimed at boosting economic development in the South Fourth Street corridor.

As industries have started to crop up on the city of DeKalb’s south side, so, too, have local planning efforts to accommodate future water infrastructure demands.

At the Hopkins Community Center in DeKalb this week, the Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association invited area veterans to take part in a new program meant to promote learning and foster a sense of community and belonging.

First Ward DeKalb residents are invited to a meeting led by Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada on Dec. 3 at Jefferson Elementary School.

More money for more staff is included in the city of DeKalb’s fiscal 2025 budget draft to address hiring needs, according to the city. The DeKalb Public Library director said the library would use its property tax levy money for capital projects and rising operational costs.

Four incumbents are seeking reelection to their positions at DeKalb City Hall in the April 1 consolidated election. Two races, for the mayoral seat and to represent the 2nd Ward, will be contested, filing records show.

A vote on the intergovernmental agreement related to the South Fourth Street TIF redevelopment plan and project is expected at the City Council’s Nov. 25 meeting

Ducky’s, a formal wear boutique in downtown DeKalb, has been granted more than $6,200 to help pay for plumbing and roof work at 250 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

According to proposed numbers which are not yet final, the DeKalb Public Library board has requested a $1.18 million increase in their property tax levy, meaning taxpayers could pay about $50 more on their bills in the spring if approved.

Plans for constructing a five-megawatt solar farm in DeKalb moved one step closer to reality this week.

A $400,000 state grant recently was awarded to DeKalb, and city leaders said they plan to use it to pay for another feasibility study to further assess if it’s possible to extend a Metra train line west of Elburn into the area.

DeKalb residents Kayla Friedman and Keagon Larsen lost their dog, Rose, who was struck by a car Oct. 7 in their neighborhood. Now, they're asking the city to help enforce speeding laws and suggesting traffic signage to prevent more loss.

A developer is asking for city permission to construct a 5-megawatt ground mounted solar farm on unincorporated land at the southwest corner of Route 38 and John Huber Parkway in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Electoral Board met Thursday to review objections filed against the candidacy of Linh Nguyen as she vies to become DeKalb’s next mayor in the April 2025 election. She's one of three candidates who said they'll seek the seat in April.

The DeKalb City Council recently took a close look at a property tax levy proposal for the next budget year, which, if approved, could save the average homeowner $100 when they receive their tax bill in the spring, according to city calculations.

Flamingo Restaurant, 1029 Pleasant Street, DeKalb, is looking to boost its menu offerings after city leaders decided to grant a low alcohol by volume liquor license to the establishment.

A DeKalb panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of DeKalb County this week offered two people a chance to make a public case for and against a referendum which will ask voters if they support an appointed city clerk.

DeKalb residents packed a ward meeting on Thursday to meet with 7th Ward Alderman John Walker largely, in part, to discuss the city’s proposed plans to implement a taxing strategy to redevelop the Fourth Street corridor.

If approved, the development would be built on 147-acres of property owned by 3M in unincorporated DeKalb, and would employ between an estimated 150 and 200 people, project leaders said.

A manufacturer has proposed building a new 1.3 million-square-foot warehouse facility on 147 acres of land owned by 3M on DeKalb’s south side, city documents show. Preliminary plans head to the city Monday for a first look.