Nina’s Tacos will be staying put when it transitions from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 122 E. Page St., Sycamore.

STATE

New hotline to handle sexual harassment problems

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has announced the creation of a toll-free sexual harassment hotline to provide resources to the public, including referrals to counseling and legal services. The hotline, and accompanying website, will also allow for the reporting of sexual harassment allegations in both private and public places of employment.

In establishing and maintaining the hotline, IDHR enlisted the support of The Chicago Lighthouse, which provides employment opportunities to the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities. Staff at The Chicago Lighthouse were trained by IDHR management on legal definitions of sexual harassment and resources available for reporting it, including filing of a charge of discrimination.

The Sexual Harassment Hotline Call Center can be reached Monday through Friday with the exception of state holidays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (877) 236-7703. By statute, all communications received by the department via the hotline or accompanying website are confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, visit illinois.gov/sexualharassment.

DeKALB 

Marching band to get new uniforms

The DeKalb High School Marching Barbs are stepping high. The DeKalb School District 428 Board unanimously approved the band’s request for new uniforms that will enable the 14-year-old ones to be retired. The winning bid went to Romeoville-based Bandman’s Company for $73,815.50.

About half the cost will be covered through fundraising by the band. The district would then pay another $12,000 upfront and offer the rest in the amount of loans, $10,000 from the district music budget and $15,000 from the band course fee account, that would be paid back over the next 10 years.

Musician-educator is first Music Hall of Fame honoree

A man who has been called a legend, gifted musician and educator will be the first inductee into the DeKalb Music Boosters’ new Music Hall of Fame.

The DeKalb Music Boosters posthumously will welcome musician and community leader W. Dee Palmer into the new Music Hall of Fame April 14.

As a professional musician, Palmer had the opportunity to play with performers such as Perry Como, Ella Gitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong. He also delivered 63 years of music as part of the DeKalb Municipal Band.

A special ceremony commemorating Palmer, who died in 2011, will take place during the Hats, Horses and Harmony fundraiser for the DeKalb Music Boosters at the River Heights Golf Course, 1020 Sharon Drive.

The event will feature student performances, simulated horse races, derby-themed hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and prizes. Tickets are $35 a person and can be bought by emailing the DeKalb Music Boosters at dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com or calling Valerie Vance at (630) 670-4830.

Fundraiser to benefit special rec group

A sports trivia contest, team dance contest and a team P-I-G shootout will all be part of an effort to raise money for the Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association. The fundraiser, Spring Forward for Accessibility, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. March 9 in the Hopkins Park Terrace Room, 1403 Sycamore Road.

The nonprofit Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association provides community-based recreation therapy programs and other services to individuals with different abilities.

Entry is $60 per four-person team in advance and $80 at the door. Individual tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Entry will allow supporters to take part in a wine and beer pull, silent auction, raffle, a food bar with vegetarian options and a cash bar.

Sponsors and auction item donations are needed. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Julie Eggleston at (779) 777-7285 or jeggleston@kishsra.org.

SYCAMORE  

Food truck leads way to restaurant

The success of a food truck has led its owners to open a restaurant in Sycamore.

Jesus and Nina Gomez have outgrown their Nina’s Taco Shop, a Mexican food truck parked at 1582 DeKalb Ave., and soon will be serving up tacos and burritos and other authentic Mexican food at 122 E. Page St.

The new location is the former Page Street Classic Diner, which closed in December. The family bought the property, and is renovating it. The owners hope to open the restaurant in March. They plan to have an expanded menu and will use the food truck for catering.

The restaurant will also give the owners an opportunity to be open year-round. The food truck typically was open only during weather-permitting months. 

ROCHELLE

Employee honored for her work in 2017

Rochelle Community Hospital named Linda Kulesa of DeKalb as its 2017 High Performer of the Year.

Kulesa was selected among the 12 High Performers of the Month in 2017. She has been employed at the hospital for two years as the RN internal auditor in the Health Information Management Department.

She was chosen for her experience and expertise and efforts to improve billing and other areas of hospital operations.

As the High Performer of the Year, Kulesa received assorted gifts including a plaque recognizing this honor.

SANDWICH

Physical therapist to lead new clinic

Physical therapist Andrea Carter has been hired as the lead physical therapist for Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists in its new Sandwich clinic. Carter received a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2000 and a doctorate in physical therapy from Northwestern University in 2003. She has been a physical therapist since 2004.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–