STATE

Bill supports high-speed internet for rural schools

A bill recently introduced in Springfield lays out plans to provide high-speed internet to more than 90,000 students across 100 school districts in rural Illinois.

Proponents say the bill takes advantage of federal money earmarked for Illinois while bridging the digital divide that puts many rural school districts at a disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts. The legislation would set aside $16.3 million in state funds from the upcoming budget, which would leverage as much as $50 million in matching funds from the federal government.

Online resources taken for granted in some schools — such as streaming educational videos, participating in online testing and engaging in remote learning — are out of reach for those who lack access to high-speed internet.

The sponsors warned that if action is not taken this year, in addition to perpetuating the digital divide, federal funds set aside for Illinois may be diverted to other states. They urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to include the funding in the budget he will unveil in February.

Nationally, 40 percent of Americans in rural areas lack access to broadband internet, compared to just 4 percent in urban areas, a 2016 Federal Communications Commission report found.

COUNTY

Holiday crackdown nets DUI arrests

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office made six arrests for driving under the influence during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, between Dec. 18 and Jan. 1.

During the campaign, the sheriff’s office also issued five seat belt citations, made one felony arrest, made five drug arrests, apprehended two fugitives, and issued citations for uninsured motorists, speeding citations and suspended or revoked licenses.

The campaign was funded with federal highway safety funds, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Forest preserve land purchase expected

DeKalb County Forest Preserve commissioners, made up of County Board members, are expected Jan. 24 to finalize the purchase of 142 acres adjacent to northern Kirkland. Another 10 acres of the parcel will be donated. The action will increase the size of the DeKalb County Forest Preserve district.

The cost to the district will be about $1.1 million. Some of the land will be leased out to farmers, and a portion will be eligible for wetland grant money from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The preserve is buying the land at about $7,700 an acre, whereas nearby land is going for about $8,250 an acre.

The land, which according to county property records is owned by the Joan Stigliani Trust, is bordered on the west and south of the Potowatomi preserve. The new land is at the corner of Kirkland Road and the entrance to the forest preserve.

The Potowatomi preserve is one of the largest preserves within the system. It has 300 acres that border the Kishwaukee River, with equestrian trails, both paved and grass hiking trails, a lookout tower, shelters, picnic areas and canoe launches. Most of the preserve is in a floodplain. It also borders the MacQueen Preserve.

DeKALB

Registration for adult volleyball is open

Adults can bump, set and spike with friends in the DeKalb Park District’s 6-on-6 indoor coed volleyball league. Games will be held 6-10 p.m. Mondays Feb. 12-April 9 at the Sports and Recreation Center, 1765 S. 4^th St., DeKalb. The registration deadline is Feb. 7.

The team fee is $200. A maximum of 15 players allowed per team. Players who don’t have enough for a team can sign up for an open team list. More information is at dekalbparkdistrict.com.

School district changes start of new school year

The first day of classes for the 2018-19 school year will be the same for all neighboring districts, because of action recently taken by the DeKalb School District 428 School Board. The School Board unanimously voted Jan. 16 for the new calendar. Board member Rick Smith was absent.

The district, which typically has started its school year a week later than other districts, experienced a few setbacks under this schedule, such as having DeKalb High School students waiting until after winter break to take finals.

One of the factors preventing the district from starting earlier was the lack of air conditioning at Lincoln Elementary School. But now that problem has been eliminated with the approval of a $1.1 million project to install a new boiler and chiller at the school.

Bill Ganek

GENOA

Interim city administrator starts

The Genoa City Council has approved the hiring of Bill Ganek as interim city administrator. He will assume the responsibilities of Joe Misurelli, who died Dec. 25.

Ganek retired from his post as Algonquin village manager in 2013 after serving in that role for 21 years, but he and Misurelli, a former Crystal Lake city administrator, collaborated on many projects.

Ganek also was director of planning for Crystal Lake for nine years, after spending five years with the McHenry County Planning Department.

Ganek’s contract is for six months, during which the search for a permanent replacement will continue. Ganek will work 20 hours for two days a week.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–