DeKalb Alderman Backs NIU Greek Center, Says He Would Consider Raising Taxes for Street Work – Shaw Local

DeKALB — As Monday’s City Council meeting approaches, DeKalb 7th Ward Alderman John Walker said he plans to support a planned vote on the Northern Illinois University Foundation’s Center for Greek Life.

His remarks came Monday during the second of four meetings scheduled for the 7th Ward this year, according to Walker. Among those present at the meeting were Mayor Cohen Barnes and Community Services Coordinator Jennifer Yochem.

Walker described the redevelopment effort at the corner of West Hillcrest Drive and Blackhawk Road as being very similar to a game of chance.

“Having a building like that and hoping that other people want to build around it, I think it’s a beautiful idea,” Walker said. “I think people in this area don’t understand it, which I understand, because they don’t understand the variables that go into getting certain things that they want and some of the money that goes into it. But I hope it attracts other things to get there. That’s all I can hope for. It’s a gamble. Everything is. We pray and hope it works.”

A real estate and purchase agreement for the property is expected to be voted on at the July 22 City Council meeting, after previous consideration was postponed. At the time, two council members — 3rd Ward Alderman Tracy Smith and 5th Ward Alderman Andre Powell — were absent, and the mayor wanted to ensure a supermajority, or six affirmative votes, could be obtained to move the project forward.

Walker criticized 1st Ward Councilwoman Carolyn Zasada, saying she was out of touch with her constituents.

Zasada has been a vocal critic of the NIU Foundation’s plans to build a Greek life center in his neighborhood.

“I’m on the street,” Walker said. “I know the street. You can represent the entire United States of America, but that doesn’t mean you know the people who live there. (…) But I look at the big picture. Maybe I’m trying to convince other people to want to move next to the NIU Greek Life Center.”

In an interview Tuesday, Zasada said she feels her district is primarily opposed to the NIU Foundation’s plans because they don’t best benefit residents of the Annie Glidden North area.

“That’s the feeling I have,” Zasada said. “Obviously we’re always going to have a diversity of opinions.”

Proposed tax increases

Walker also expressed support for the city if it decided to raise local taxes to help pay for street maintenance.

“The good thing is that nothing has been imposed,” Walker said. “Everything is still being analyzed and discussed, and we’re trying to find other solutions, if there are any.”

The proposal was first raised at a special council workshop in April. At that time, ideas were floated about increasing sales and fuel taxes and imposing a surcharge on recreation, meeting minutes show. However, no tax increase proposals have been brought forward for council consideration to date.

Walker said he blames previous city councils for putting the city in such a deficit position when it comes to road maintenance.

Walker said he understands that people may be concerned about city taxes.

“I know the city hall is in a bank, but there is no money in the bank vault,” he said.

Human Relations Commission Update

At the meeting, Walker also gave DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes time to address the status of the city’s Human Relations Commission. The commission is tasked with reviewing city policy to ensure it is fair and equitable or providing guidance to agencies when complaints of alleged discrimination arise. The commission is made up of DeKalb residents and has no policy-making power. The group can, however, make recommendations to the City Council.

The commission’s membership continues to dwindle with the departure of Joe Gastiger. The Human Relations Commission is down to one member: JJ Wett. It has not been able to meet due to a lack of members, some of whom were not reappointed to the commission by the mayor this year.

Barnes had previously said he would consider making appointments to the commission once the vacant 5th Ward alderman position in DeKalb was filled. Andre Powell, also a former commission member, was sworn in as 5th Ward alderman in May.

At the neighborhood meeting this week, Barnes said he was open to the idea of ​​what he called a “Membership Commission,” but didn’t want to duplicate efforts. A local membership group affiliated with NIU was created in 2021 in part to help local leaders from various public, private and educational sectors develop initiatives to make the city welcoming to all.

“I am currently seeking the advice of the chair of the Board of Trustees to explain to me what it would look like if we were to build on this concept in our community as commissions,” Barnes said.

Barnes said there were no firm plans in place for the panel at present.

Walker suggested he would like to see the Human Relations Commission merged with the Citizens Police Review Board.

“I like the Membership Board, but if I had a vote, I would definitely say, why can’t the Citizens (Police) Review Board do both jobs?” Walker said. “When we came together as the Citizens (Police) Review Board, we didn’t have a lot of cases to deal with.”

Barnes added that he thought Walker raised a good point.

“I love this idea,” Barnes said. “It’s original. … Let’s talk about it more.”