February 2020
College Students Count In The 2020 Census
If you are a college student or the parent of a college student, it is important to know the facts about how students are counted in the upcoming 2020 Census. College towns, such as DeKalb, depend on an accurate count of students living both on and off campus. The Census helps determine how much federal and state funding communities will receive over the next 10 years.

It is common for students to assume that parents will count them in their response at home and discard the Census postcard asking them to count themselves at their college home. College students that live in DeKalb need to be counted in DeKalb. Students are users of City services, utilities, transportation, and infrastructure. The Census determines funding assistance on population count, including students. All students living in DeKalb should respond to the 2020 Census.

The Census Bureau is still currently hiring and this is a great opportunity for college students to find a temporary job that pays well. If you are interested in working as a Census taker, you can apply at the Census website.

If you or someone you know would like to make an impact on the outreach for the 2020 Census, please contact Jason Blumenthal at Jason.Blumenthal@cityofdekalb.com.
In This Issue
College Students Count

Phone Scams

Heater Safety

New Police K9

Park District OSLAD Grant

Sidewalk Snow Removal

Tobacco Compliance Check

Bus Route 12 to Elburn Metra
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Protect Yourself from Phone Scams
Telephone scams are common, especially during tax season. Scammers are trying to trick you into giving them your personal information and money. Don't be fooled.

Scammers pretend they are from Social Security. The number you see on caller ID may even look like an official government number but it is not. The caller may say there is a problem with your Social Security number or account. They may tell you to fix the problem or to avoid arrest you must pay a fine or fee using gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, wire transfers, or cash. These calls are not Social Security Administration.

Social Security will not:
  • Threaten you
  • Tell you your Social Security Number has been suspended
  • Ask you for a credit or debit card number over the phone
  • Require a specific means of debt repayment

Social Security may:
  • Call you to confirm you filed for a claim or to discuss ongoing business you may have with them
  • Mail you a letter if there is a problem
  • Use emails, text messages, and social media but only to provide general information

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security, please hang up right away and never give away your personal information or money. Report scams to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at oig.ssa.gov/ .
Space Heater Safety
It sure is cold out there! Use of space heaters, in addition to our furnaces, ensure comfort in our homes during the winter season. However, did you know that if space heaters are used improperly, or if your furnaces are not maintained, they can cause fires and even worse - death. Heating equipment fires account for 15% of all reported home fires (second only to cooking fires), 19% of all home fire deaths, and over $1 billion in property damages annually.  Here are some tips on staying safe while keeping warm this winter:

  • Keep your heater at least 3 feet from anything that can burn.
  • NEVER leave a space heater unattended. Turn them off when leaving a room or when sleeping.
  • NEVER plug them into an extension cord. They can generate excess heat in the cord and cause fires quickly.
  • Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • NEVER use a cooking stove to heat your home.
  • ALWAYS place space heaters on level flat surfaces on the ground.
  • If it hasn't been done already, have a qualified service professional inspect your heating system and chimneys annually and make sure you change out your furnace filters.
  • Never use a space heater, or any other appliance for that matter, with a damaged cord.
  • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
  • Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms and other areas in your home.  

If you ever have any issues, please do not hesitate to call 911 or the Fire Department's non-emergency number at 815-748-8460.
Employment
Visit the City's Employment Page to view and apply for open positions. For more info, contact Human Resources at 815-748-2300. 
K9 Kota Joins DeKalb Police Department
New Police K9
The City would like to introduce the newest member of the Police Department, K9 Kota. After an extensive selection process, Kota has been selected to fill the vacant K9 position. He was selected from a field of eight candidates. Kota is a Dutch Shepard, born in Poland, that came to the United States from the Netherlands. The Police Department selected Officer Nicholson to be Kota's handler, and the pair began an eight-week training program in Decatur last week.
DeKalb Park District Receives OSLAD Grant
The DeKalb Park District will receive a $395,800 matching grant for the renovation of Welsh Park. On January 17, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker announced more than $29.7 million to 85 local communities that will benefit from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant.

Welsh Park improvements will include a new playground, 8' wide asphalt walking paths, a splash pad, a rain garden and pollinator area with interpretive signage, pickleball courts, a new basketball court with bleachers, an ADA accessible park connection, and a game area. The plan will also keep the existing basketball court and shelter. Planning for Welsh Park began in early 2019 with several public input meetings, presentations to and discussions with the Park Board, and several different renderings of the final site plan.

The redesign of Welsh Park is an important part of the Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan. The Plan identified this as one of 10 Core Transformation Projects for the Annie Glidden North neighborhoods.

Construction is not expected to begin before Fall 2020. The public is invited to follow along with the progress at on the Park District website
Quick Links
Remember to Clear Sidewalks of Snow & Ice
Snow Shovel
The DeKalb Municipal Code states that property owners are responsible for snow and ice removal from public sidewalks. Upon two inches of snowfall, property owners should remove all snow and ice within 48 hours. By clearing walkways, pedestrians, including children walking to school, have a safer path to travel. The City encourages residents to be a good neighbor by helping those who may not be capable of shoveling on their own.
Tobacco Compliance Checks Completed
The Police Department recently conducted tobacco compliance checks throughout the City. These compliance checks determine if local tobacco retailers are complying with local minimum-age tobacco laws which prohibit the sale of tobacco to minors. With the help from a grant awarded by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s “Kids Can’t Buy Em Here” Tobacco Enforcement Program, the City has been educating tobacco retailers on minimum-age tobacco laws and the importance of verifying the age of their customers while conducting compliance checks of area tobacco retailers. Tobacco retailers were each given an information kit and spoken with by a police department employee. 
 
Tobacco retailers were inspected during the first of three rounds of compliance checks on all tobacco retailers in the community. A total of 29 tobacco retailers were inspected and only one establishment was found to be in violation of the law by selling tobacco to a minor. As a reminder, the minimum age required to purchase tobacco products in Illinois and the City is now 21 years.
ALERT DeKalb
Receive important notifications from the City by signing up for ALERT DeKalb. Text, email, and phone messages are used to alert the public to emergency situations, severe weather, and traffic disruptions.

Users can also text ALERTDEKALB to 67283 to report criminal or suspicious activity and quality of life concerns.
Bus Route 12 Travels to Elburn Train Station
Effective Monday, January 13, the Route 12 bus line now makes three round-trips to the Elburn Metra Station, Monday – Thursday with six round-trips on Friday. Tickets for the Route 12 to the Elburn Metra Station can be purchased with cash on the bus (exact fare only) or by visiting NIUtickets.com. Additional information about the Route 12 schedule during Break Service can be found at the City's public transit website.

  • Monday-Friday morning: the shuttle departs DuSable Turnabout at 7 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. and departs Elburn at 7:55 a.m. and 9:20 a.m.
  • Monday-Thursday evening: the shuttle departs DuSable Turnabout at 6:20 p.m. and departs Elburn at 7:20 p.m.
  • Friday afternoon/evening: the shuttle departs DuSable Turnabout at 3:25 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:25 p.m., and 6:25 p.m. and departs Elburn at 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:20 p.m., and 7:20 p.m.
Bus
Upcoming City Hall Closures
City offices will be closed on the following dates in February:

  • February 17: President's Day.

Normal office hours will resume on the following business day. If you need more immediate assistance, please call the Police Department's non-emergency number at 815-748-8400.
Upcoming Meetings
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
February 4, 5 p.m. at DeKalb Police Department

Planning and Zoning Commission
February 5, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers

Citizens' Environment Commission
February 6, 4 p.m. at City Hall

Economic Development Commission
February 7, 8:30 a.m. at City Hall

Foreign Fire Pension Board
February 10, 8 a.m. at ?

Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 10, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers

City Council Meeting
February 10, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
DeKalb Public Library Board
February 12, 7 p.m. at DeKalb Public Library

Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission
February 18, 4 p.m. at City Hall

Planning and Zoning Commission
February 19, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers

Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 24, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers

City Council Meeting
February 24, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers

Airport Advisory Board
February 25, 7 p.m. at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport

To view agendas for City meetings, please go to the City's Agenda Center here .
To check for meeting cancellations and location updates, please check the City Website here .
Community Events
Egyptian Theatre Events
135 North Second Street, DeKalb, IL

Reserve your tickets today for the many great events the Egyptian Theatre are bringing to you in February. The events include The Rat Pack is Back , a Classic Film Series showing of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, and The Second City comedy group. For more information and tickets, please visit the  Egyptian Theatre website.

Glidden Homesteads Tours on Tuesdays
Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is open for tours on Tuesdays from 10 am. to 2 p.m., and by special arrangement. Admission is $4 per adults, and free for children younger than 14. For more information check out their website.

ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal
DeKalb High School, February 22, at 7 p.m.

The Varsity Vocals International Championship of A Cappella is the only international tournament that showcases the art of student a cappella singing. The programs include both The Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) and The Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA), and both are dedicated to providing top-notch a cappella groups with valuable feedback from our highly qualified judges. Come to the DeKalb High School to enjoy some a cappella.
DeKalb Public Library Events
309 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL

The DeKalb Public Library offers an assortment of programs and events for children and adults of all ages. Check out their website for details.

Northern Illinois University Events
DeKalb Campus

Northern Illinois University offers a variety of music, arts, and entertainment events that are open to the public. Check out NIU's  Events Calendar for a full list of events.

Stage Coach Players
Stage Coach Players, 126 S Fifth St, DeKalb, IL
February 1, at 7:30 p.m. and February 2, at 2 p.m.

The next play that will be performed by the Stage Coach Players is Visiting Mr. Green. This play is about Mr. Green, an elderly, retired dry cleaner who wanders into New York traffic and is almost hit by a car driven by Ross Gardiner, a young executive. Gardiner is given community service as a result and must visit the recent widower once a week for six months. This comedy about two men who do not want to be in the same room together becomes a gripping and moving drama as they get to know each other, come to care about each other, and open old wounds they've been hiding and nursing for years. For more information please check out their website   here.
Event dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice. Please contact the event sponsor for additional details.
City Officials
Jerry Smith , Mayor

Carolyn Morris , Alderman - 1st Ward

Bill Finucane , Alderman - 2nd Ward

Tracy Smith, Alderman - 3rd Ward

Greg Perkins, Alderman - 4th Ward
Scott McAdams, Alderman - 5th Ward

Mike Verbic , Alderman - 6th Ward

Anthony Faivre , Alderman - 7th Ward

Lynn Fazekas , City Clerk

Bill Nicklas , City Manager
Hours of Operation
City Phone Numbers
City Hall           
200 South Fourth Street
Monday - Friday   
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Police Station
700 West Lincoln Highway
Monday - Friday   
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Public Works 
1216 Market Street
Monday - Friday
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport     
3232 Pleasant Street  
Monday - Friday     
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
City Clerk 815-748-2095  
          
City Manager's Office 815-748-2090

Community Development Department 815-748-2060

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport 815-748-8102

Finance Department 815-748-2000

Fire/Police Emergency 911 

Fire Non-Emergency 815-748-8460

Mayor's Office 815-748-2099

Police Non-Emergency 815-748-8400

Public Works Department 815-748-2040
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