On Monday, April 27, the City Council passed an ordinance approving an annexation and development agreement with Ventus Tech Services, LLC. This agreement paves the way for an $800 million investment on the south side of the City and a 500 acre expansion to the Chicago West Business Center. Located south of the Tollway Oasis, Ventus Tech Services will develop the site into a high-tech data center that will bring approximately 50 high paying jobs to our community. As part of the project, the City Council voted vacate a portion of Crego Road to allow substantial road improvements to meet the new demands of semi-trailers and additional road usage. This venture, following the Ferrara Candy Company development, is the next big step in establishing DeKalb as a robust industrial center along the I-88 corridor.
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Project Ventus
COVID-19 Update
2020 Census
Grill and Fire Pit Safety
Project HOPE
ILOVE LOCAL
Pool Safety
Police Body Camera Survey
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Governor Prtizker announced on April 23 that he would be extending the mandated "Stay at Home" order through the end of May. For the text of the executive order please click
here. One key point in this executive order requires that individuals in public spaces will be required to wear a mask starting on May 1.
City Hall will remain closed to the public for the duration of the month. Staff will continue to be available by appointment. Please note, staff are still working and available to assist with all matters. If you need a building permit, we can help. If you have a question about water billing, we can help. Although delays may exist, almost all City business continues to be conducted.
We understand life has drastically changed for many during this pandemic and there are still many questions as to when life can return to "normal." To keep residents informed, the City will continue to update information on COVID-19 through our website
here.
Please note these updates will be specific to City services and announcements. For more information on the virus itself, please visit the State of Illinois's Coronavirus Response
web page.
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Grill and Fire Pit Safety
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As Spring begins to bloom, the DeKalb Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the following grill and fire pit safety tips.
While you grill, remember these few tips:
- Examine the propane tank, hose, and connecting points before grilling and confirm there are no cracks.
- Charcoal should be soaked with charcoal lighter fluid, do not put lighter fluid on your grill.
- Clean the grill afterwards, a dirty grill can start fires.
- Set up your grill outdoors, never grill inside.
Some tips for fire pit safety include:
- Never leave young children unattended near the fire.
- Always have a water source near the fire.
- When putting out the fire, spread out the pieces of fuel and gently sprinkle water over them.
- Avoid throwing leaves, pine cones, pine needles, and paper into the fire.
- Toast your marshmallows over the embers rather than the flames.
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Visit the City's
Employment Page
to view and apply for open positions. For more info, contact Human Resources at 815-748-2300.
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Self Respond to the 2020 Census
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Have you and your family been counted in the 2020 Census?
If not, this is the perfect time to complete your Census response. Currently, the City of DeKalb has a self-response rate of 59.1% which means we still have a long way to go before hitting 100%. The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the self-response timeline through the end of October. To fill out your Census online, visit
my20202census.gov. If you or someone you know doesn't have the ability to use the online form, individuals can call 844-330-2020. Either way, completing the Census should only take five minutes of your time which will impact the next 10 years of federal funding for our community.
Federal funding received by our community goes directly to repairing streets, improving services provided by the City, healthcare programs, education programs, along with many other local community organizations. In addition to federal funds, each person counted increases our voice heard within the House of Representatives. When more people are counted within Illinois, it strengthens the voice of the delegation in Washington to help our State receive it's share of funding.
If you or someone you know would like to make an impact on the outreach for the 2020 Census, please contact Jason Blumenthal at
J
[email protected].
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The DeKalb Police Department has experienced an increase of drug related calls/overdoses over the last few weeks. Investigators are currently investigating two deaths that occurred between April 13 and 14, with indications that drug use may be a cause or contributing factor to these deaths.
The DeKalb Police Department wants to remind its residents of the dangers of narcotics. Street-level narcotics such as opioids are often times not what the drug is purported to be. It is common that these substances are mixed with other drugs or cutting agents. It is common for officers to seize narcotics that have been cut with the drug fentanyl. Fentanyl is highly potent, and when improperly taken can be fatal. Detectives are currently investigating the above cases and will make every effort to locate the origin of the substances ingested by the victims.
The DeKalb Police Department offers assistance to anyone impacted by addiction through the Project HOPE (Heroin/Opioid Outreach Prevention and Education) program. Project HOPE aids those fighting addiction in finding a treatment facility and helps to place them. Treatment can range from in-patient detox and rehabilitation to outpatient counseling. Any variation of a drug or alcohol addiction qualifies for assistance. Participation in this program is confidential. Through an agreement with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office, participants may turn in personal use drugs and drug equipment without facing any charges. Participation in the program is entirely voluntarily and the goal is to connect the participants with the necessary services. Anyone seeking information may call the DeKalb Police Department and inquire about Project HOPE. To date, Project HOPE has helped place 13 individuals into treatment facilities.
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The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with other Illinois Chambers of Commerce for ILove Local, an initiative to encourage shopping locally. Shop, eat, and support locally to support our small businesses during this uncertain time. We have compiled a list of retail and other services offered during COVID-19. Click
ILove Local
under the COVID-19 tab above for a list of businesses open for orders, services, and more. Tag #ILoveLocal on social media to share how you're supporting our local businesses!
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One of the most popular summertime activities is pool time with friends and family. If you own a pool or spa, it’s critical that you take steps to ensure the safety of everyone – particularly children & pets – in and around the water.
This requires installing safety devices and observing proper water safety behaviors. If your neighbor has a pool or spa, you will want to educate yourself and possibly your children on the dangers of unsupervised pool use.
Here are a few safety tips to help ensure an enjoyable time around the water:
- Always watch children when they’re in or near a pool.
- Teach children basic water safety tips and consider enrolling them in swimming lessons.
- Share safety instructions with family, friends, and neighbors.
- Be sure your pool meets all City of DeKalb safety codes.
- Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water.
If you are installing a new pool this summer, please visit
here
and complete the Swimming Pool - Hot Tub Permit Application. If you have any questions please call the Building Division at 815-748-2070.
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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.
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Police Body Camera Pilot Project
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The DeKalb Police Department announced in March the start of the department’s Body Camera Pilot Program. Officers concluded the first pilot on April 17.
Officers wore body cameras from the first vendor everyday to test the capabilities and controls while responding to police calls. Police department staff are currently in the process of collecting officer feedback and other evaluation criterion for the first vendor.
The department will complete two more pilots from different vendors in the coming months. In addition to collecting officer feedback, the department is interested in public feedback on the department’s body camera program. The online survey is the first step to help us understand our community, its knowledge of body camera systems, and public's opinions on body camera systems.
The survey can be accessed
here
and will be open for the next couple of months.
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Please note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 health concerns these meetings are subject to cancellation. Double check the
City of DeKalb's Agenda Center for the most up to date information.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
May 6, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Citizens' Environment Commission
May 7, 4 p.m. at City Hall
Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board
May 11, 8 a.m. at City Hall
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers
City Council Meeting
May 11, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
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Planning and Zoning Commission
May 20, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 26, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers
City Council Meeting
May 26, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Airport Advisory Board
May 26, 7 p.m. at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
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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
.
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Give Dekalb County 2020
Dekalb County Nonprofit Partnership, May 7
Give Dekalb County is a 24-hour Fundraising event to support nonprofit organizations in or serving Dekalb County. Donations can be made online by credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, or Mobile Wallet from midnight to midnight on May 7 at
GiveDeKalbCounty.org.
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Event dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice. Please contact the event sponsor for additional details.
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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.
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City Clerk
815-748-2095
City Manager's Office
815-748-2090
Community Development Department 815-748-2070
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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