The public soon will be able to see the striking staircase in the Governor’s Mansion again. A $15 million renovation project has been completed, and Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diane, have returned to the mansion. They use it when they are in Springfield and for governmental functions. A July 14 public event is being planned.

STATE

Gubernatorial candidates contribute to mansion repairs

After an almost $15 million renovation, Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, have moved back into the Governor’s Mansion in downtown Springfield. Rauner and his opponent in the November election, J.B. Pritzer, have both donated to the effort. So, whoever is the mansion’s next occupant, he has helped in the effort to make the mansion livable again.

Diana Rauner, the governor’s wife, has co-chaired the non-profit Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association, which raised the money for the work from private donors.

And, it turns out, a couple of those donors are Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, and his wife, M.K. The Pritzker campaign says M.K. Pritzker was on the mansion association board before her husband’s bid for the office. A list of all donors is expected to be released this week.

The Rauners do not live in the mansion full time, but use it when they are in Springfield and for governmental social functions.

A July 14 event is being planned to reopen the mansion to the public.

COUNTY

Record amount raised in one-day effort

This year’s Give DeKalb County netted $614,555 for area charities. In its fifth year, Give DeKalb County officials reported that the event had the most participating nonprofits, the most donations, the highest number of donors, and the largest amount raised during the giving day, which was held May 3. A total of 1,724 donors of all ages participated, with 42 percent reporting that they gave to at least one organization for the first time. Donations came from individuals from 23 different states and two countries.

DeKALB

Seminar to teach how to eradicate poverty

A three-hour June 25 workshop will tackle the issue of poverty and how to eradicate it. LeRoy King III, a licensed consultant for Bridges Out of Poverty and the executive director of Bridges Out of Poverty near South Bend, will conduct the session called Fight DeKalb Poverty Luncheon, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at DeKalb High School, 501 W. Dresser Road.

King will lead the discussion about institutional and community-wide systemic barriers and effective strategies to eliminate them. This event will help participants to understand socio-economic class and the hidden rules that govern them. Participants also will be shown how they can create a more positive and vibrant support experience for their customers, clients, employees or students. This is a training experience for businesses, nonprofit organizations, public and private schools, churches and more, designed for key leaders, decision-makers, managers and educators. Price for the session, which will include lunch, is $30.

Each registered participant will receive a free book tailored specifically for his or her role in fighting poverty in DeKalb County.

The program will be repeated 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 11.

DeKALB/SYCAMORE

Cooling center information released for residents

Local fire department officials are reminding residents to take protective measures under extreme heat and use local cooling centers if needed.

The DeKalb Senior Center, 330 Grove St., is a cooling center from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The DeKalb Public Library,
309 Oak St., will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

If these centers are closed, the Hope Haven homeless shelter, 1145 Rushmoore Drive, is a no turn away shelter.

To locate a cooling center or to request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from extreme weather, call the DeKalb Building and Code Compliance Division at (815) 748-2070 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or the DeKalb Fire Department at (815) 748-8460 after hours.

In Sycamore, the public library at 103 E. State St. is available as a cooling center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Sycamore Center, 308 W. State St., is open as a cooling center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

After business hours, the police department end of the Sycamore Public Safety Building, 535 DeKalb Ave., is available seven days a week.

During a heat emergency, fire officials advise individuals to stay indoors as much as possible, eat well-balanced and light meals, drink plenty of water, limit intake of alcoholic beverages, dress in light and loose-fitting clothing, protect the face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, check on neighbors who do not have air conditioning or spend a lot of time alone, never leave children or pets in a closed vehicle, and avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.

MALTA

KC to offer agribusiness degree, certification

Kishwaukee College’s new agribusiness program is designed to bring in tech-savvy individuals who are needed in precision agriculture. These students will be able to earn an associate degree and two certificates for the program.

Class sizes will be kept between 12 and 15 students so instructors can train them on state-of-the-art equipment, which has become very sophisticated and computer-integrated.

The program also will offer dual-credit for students at Sycamore High School.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–