Swedberg & Associates workers apply their trade at the Sycamore Public Library in 1958. The library remains a client, and the company recently built a wing for it. Swedberg is celebrating its 90th year with an open house Sept. 21.

STATE

Hunters can now use crossbows in archery seasons

Hunters in Illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the Illinois Archery Deer Season and the Illinois Fall Turkey Archery Season beginning on Oct. 1.

Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law House Bill 2893, which amended the Illinois Wildlife Code to repeal restrictions on the use of crossbows during archery hunting seasons in Illinois.

Illinois law previously allowed the use of crossbows for archery hunting by persons age 62 or older, and those persons with disabilities who qualified for a crossbow permit issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). In addition, the previous law allowed certain youth hunters to use crossbows, and allowed all archery hunters to use crossbows beginning the Monday after the second firearm deer season.

The 2017-18 season dates for archery deer and fall turkey archery hunting in Illinois are Oct. 1, 2017 through Jan. 14, 2018. Archery seasons will be closed Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3 during the Firearm Deer Season in those counties open to firearm deer hunting.

COUNTY

County Dems hold annual fundraiser

The DeKalb County Democratic Party’s annual Paul Simon Dinner will be held 6-9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Hopkins Park Terrance Room, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Proceeds of the party’s biggest fundraiser of the year support candidates in DeKalb County. State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs will be the featured speaker. Invited guests include all gubernatorial, congressional, state house, state senate and countywide candidates.

The event is named for Paul Simon, who started his career as a newspaper publisher, but went into politics. There, he had a full career starting as a state representative, then lieutenant governor, and U.S. representative and senator. He served 22 years in Congress.

Tickets are $60 per person and $600 for a table. Contact Randi Olson at hansonrandi21@yahoo.com or (815) 761-6812 for tickets.

Historical marker honors swine producers

A historical marker recognizing the contribution of area swine producers to DeKalb County’s agricultural history has been erected and dedicated. The DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association recently dedicated its eighth historical marker in the county. This one is at 2045 Aberdeen Court outside Sycamore, on the site of the former swine operation near the intersection of Bethany Road and Sycamore Road (Route 23).

DeKALB

Freshmen numbers are up at NIU

Freshman enrollment at Northern Illinois University is up for the first time in six years. However, the university’s total enrollment has fallen by 5 percent from 19,015 last fall to 18,042. Officials say this trend is likely to continue for at least another year until focused and personalized promotion of NIU shows results.

NIU recently got some good news. It has been named one of the 100 safest colleges in the country, and was listed among the top 10 universities that offered the best value to students.

Kishwaukee College’s latest enrollment data indicates a 9.1 percent drop in total enrollment. New student enrollment, however, showed an increase of 1.8 percent from 1,570 students last fall to 1,599 this year.

Public may question Dem gubernatorial candidates

Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center will be the site for a forum Oct. 3 featuring seven of the Democratic candidates running for governor in the March primary. WNIJ producer Susan Stephens will moderate the event and ask questions submitted by audience members.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Regency Room of the student center, where the public can meet State Sen. Daniel Biss, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber, State Rep. Scott Drury, community organizer Tio Hardiman, business owner Alex Paterakis, Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar, and entrepreneur J.B. Pritzker.

The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. The student center is on the corner of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue.

SYCAMORE

Swedberg & Associates marks 90th anniversary

A family business is celebrating 90 years of operation. To mark the milestone, Swedberg & Associates will hold an open house 5-8 p.m. Sept. 21, at the St. Mary’s Parish Activity Center, 322 Waterman St., Sycamore.

Refreshments and appetizers will be served as the company looks back on its history, which began in 1927, when Paul Swedberg founded Paul Swedberg Construction Company. Originally a concrete, masonry and plastering contractor, the company branched out into general contracting in the mid-1940s after World War II, and built many homes in DeKalb County for returning veterans. As local population and industry grew, Paul decided to venture into commercial building. In the years since, the company has been owned by various relatives who have continued the family business.

SANDWICH

Annual craft fair to be held Sept. 28

Sandwich’s annual Fall Festival of Crafts will be held on the fourth Sunday of September, as it is every year. This year’s fair will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 28, at three locations: Hill Family Festival of Crafts, Sandwich Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Road; S.A.M. Crafts Under the Big Top, Railroad Street; and Indian Springs Shopping Center, East Rt. 34. Admission is free.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–