LOCAL NEWS – FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29th 2019
Jim Leach
Northern Illinois University has announced that marijuana won’t be allowed on campus, even though it becomes legal in Illinois on January 1. The Chronicle is reporting that NIU’s website says that no person can possess or use marijuana at any university-affiliated events on or off campus. This comes after the DeKalb City Council unanimously approved a medical marijuana dispensary. The council also voted to approve a 3-percent tax on recreational sales. The owner of Chicago-based BQ Enterprises will also begin the process of applying for a recreational permit at the 36-hundred square foot space on Peace Road.
Adam Kinzinger will seek a sixth term in officer as the U.S. Representative of Illinois’ 16th District. According to the Daily Chronicle, the Republican filed his paperwork, including a petition with 4-thousand signatures. In 2018, Kinzinger defeated Democrat Sara Dady of Rockford with 59-percent of the vote. Kinzinger has been critical of President Trump, but has said he’s not convinced of impeaching the president. Kinzinger has cited the opioid epidemic, agricultural issues and ensuring veteran benefits as his priorities.
The Sycamore school board laid out some goals of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which would see 90-percent of third graders reading at or above grade level by 2032, 90-percent of fifth graders meeting or exceeding the standards in math and 90-percent or more of students would graduate high school both college- and- career ready. According to the Daily Chronicle, all of Sycamore schools received “commendable” grades by the state for their overall performances. Recent MAP scores were also shared at the November board meeting… the district percentile in math is 57-percent, and the goal is to bring that number up to 69-percent district-wide by 2022. The district percentile average in reading is 60-percent, and the goal for 2022 is 69-percent.
NIU red-shirt junior running back Tre Harbison has left the football team and will enter the transfer portal. He did not play in last night’s game against Western Michigan… which NIU won 17-14. According to the Daily Chronicle, Harbison told the team earlier this week that he wanted to transfer. As a graduate transfer, he will have immediate eligibility. He finished his NIU career with consecutive 1-thousand-yard rushing seasons- he’s the first player to do that since Jordan Lynch.