Carolyn Zasada 1st Ward Alderman - DeKalb Illinois

06/17/2025

📢Hemos recibido un video en donde ICE paro un individuo en DeKalb por la mañana. Si ven algo acuérdense de contactarnos con el método ACTUAR (ejemplo en los comentarios) esto nos brinda detalles necesarios para poder llegar al sitio y verificar o proporcionar recursos a los afectados los más rápido posible. La capacidad de nuestro equipos de Respuesta Rápida puede ser limitada, por lo que las fotos, vídeos y mensajes directos nos ayudan a coordinar quién puede llegar lo más rápido posible. Como Equipo de Respuesta Rápida de Dekalb también estamos conectados con los miembros de Elgin y Aurora para que podamos pasar información válida lo más rápido posible.

¡Conoce tus derechos! 🚨
✅ Guarda silencio: No estás obligado(a) a responder preguntas sobre tu lugar de nacimiento o estatus migratorio.
✅ No firmes nada: No firmes ningún documento sin hablar con un abogado.
✅ No abras la puerta: ICE necesita una orden firmada por un juez para entrar a tu casa. Pídeles que la pasen por debajo de la puerta.
✅ Graba si puedes: Documenta la interacción desde un lugar seguro.
✅ Memoriza números importantes: Como el de un abogado o un contacto de confianza.

06/17/2025

📢We received a video with ICE approaching an individual in DeKalb earlier today. We encourage everyone to contact us using the SALUTE method (example in comments) below. Please contact us with pictures/videos as soon as possible so our team can arrive and further verify or provide resources to those affected. Our Rapid Response teams capacity can be limited so pictures, videos and direct messages help us coordinate who can arrive as fast as possible. As Dekalb’s Rapid Response Team we are also connected to Elgin and Aurora members so we can pass valid information as fast as possible.

Know Your Rights:
✔️Don’t open your doors. If you’re expecting someone check the window before opening doors.
✔️If ICE is at your door, remain calm and ask to see a warrant signed by a judge. They can put the warrant to the window or under the door, don’t open the doors.
✔️Remember you have a right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you.
✔️You have the right to say “I do not wish to speak to you or answer your questions”
✔️You are not required to sign any document.

Please stay vigilant and let us know if you see any other sightings or activity. And call the Family Support Hotline 855-435-7693.🚨

03/13/2025

The City of DeKalb has seen a nearly 30 percent drop in violent crime since 2022, allowing its police officers to focus more attention on proactive policing, such as speeding patrols.

Delivering the Police Department’s annual report to the City Council on Monday, Chief David Byrd announced confirmed shots fired calls dropped from 24 in 2023 to 16 last year while no murders were committed in the City. Violent crime overall decreased 8.8 percent from the previous year and 29.9 percent from 2022.

Along with the work of the Department and cooperation from the community, Byrd credits an increase in the number of officers approved by the City Council. Five officers were added in 2022, three were added last year and two more have been authorized for this year, bringing the total number of sworn officers to 75. He said this allows officers to be more visible, which deters crime.

“This report is reflective of the hard work and professionalism that every member of the agency has displayed on a daily basis,” said Byrd. “One of the things I tell them everyday is let’s win the day. We’ve been able to do that on a consistent basis.”

With the drop in violent crime came fewer calls for service, which declined 3.7 percent from the previous year and 7.7 percent from 2022.

This reduction in reactive policing allowed for more proactive policing, including officer-initiated arrests. While arrests in Zone 1, covering northwest DeKalb, were down last year, arrests in Zone 2 on the northeast side and Zone 3, covering the southside, both increased as officers were able to step up patrolling in these neighborhoods.

Another form of proactive policing is traffic patrols. DUI arrests increased 37.8 percent last year to 102. Warnings written by officers, most times for speeding, increased by 46.3 percent in a single year to 3,952 last year. The number of traffic tickets is expected to increase as drivers who initially received a warning are pulled over again for repeat offenses.

“That’s a reputation I’m looking forward to us having. This is not a place where you speed in our community,” said Barnes. “I’m incredibly proud to see this year’s report and all the hard work you’ve been doing.”

Along with its support for more officers, Byrd thanked the Council for its support of technology that has led to arrests. He shared that camera footage from a DeKalb Public Transit bus led to the arrest in a July bank robbery. In another case, License Plate Readers identified a suspect vehicle from a retail theft, which led to felony charges against three offenders.

Byrd reports DeKalb’s Community Support Services division has become a model for other departments. Officers refer calls involving mental health issues to the division’s social workers, allowing the officer to step out of the call. Byrd said DeKalb has been asked by other departments how to create similar programs.

Efforts to build, what Chief Byrd calls, the Unity Bridge of DeKalb continues. This includes community engagement at annual events, the Fun Jam in the Park youth events, Citizen Appreciation Awards and the Heroes and Helpers and Pay-It-Forward activities for the holidays.

The 2024 annual report can be viewed at cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/18893/2-DPD-2024-Annual-Rpt.

Photo: Members of the DeKalb Police Department gathered with the City Council following the delivery of the Department’s annual report on Monday.

12/26/2024

📢 Community Update: Supporting Families Impacted by the Hillcrest/Greenbrier Apartment Fire

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to assist the families affected by the recent fire. Here’s an update on our progress:

✅ Temporary Shelter Secured: All families have received temporary housing thanks to donations submitted to Family Service Agency.

🍴 Meal Support: The American Red Cross is coordinating all meals. Donations of meals are still greatly appreciated!

🏠 Permanent Housing Efforts: DeKalb Township, Family Service Agency, and other local organizations are working tirelessly to help these families secure permanent housing.

🏢 Apartment Updates: It remains unclear if any units will be deemed habitable. Regardless, we are committed to supporting these families until they achieve stability.

👗 Donations: Monetary donations to Family Service Agency will continue to support these families with food, shelter, and necessities.

We are beyond grateful for this community’s outpouring of support. A special thank you to Hillcrest Covenant Church, Kishwaukee United Way, Rooted for Good, First Congregational United Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, City of DeKalb, Lehan’s Drugs, 4C: Community Coordinated Childcare, Northwestern Medicine, and everyone who has contributed your time, money, and compassion.

Together, we are making a difference! ❤️

09/13/2024

🤩🙌🏽💪🏽

11/14/2023

Welcome!!!

Today we toured DeKalb County’s first dispensary, Excelleaf!
The excitement has been growing 😏and they are set to have their grand opening on DECEMBER 1st! 🌿

📍 305 E Locust Street, DeKalb
⏰ 10am-6pm Sun-Thurs, 9am-9pm Fri & Sat.

10/25/2023

Thank you to Cub Scout Pack 104 for leading the Pledge of Allegiance at Monday night’s DeKalb City Council meeting!

Mayor Cohen Barnes and the Council were honored to have you at their meeting as you work to become outstanding community members.

09/25/2023

Great news!

Beginning on September 1, 2023, a joint operation between the DeKalb Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sycamore Police Department, Rochelle Police Department, the Illinois National Guard, and the DeKalb County States Attorney Office began with the arrest of seven (7) individuals and ex*****on of two search warrants. The arrest warrants and search warrants were obtained as a result of a three-year investigation into the drug market and an effort to curb violent crimes in DeKalb. Multiple controlled buys, spanning several cities, were conducted during this investigation. The goal of the operation was to apprehend alleged gang members who are suspected to be responsible for a series of crimes that occurred between January 2020 and August 2023.
Special thanks to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sycamore Police Department, Rochelle Police Department, the Illinois National Guard, and the DeKalb County States Attorney Office who all assisted in the investigation and apprehension. The investigation is ongoing, and arrest warrants have been issued for other individuals who have not yet been arrested. Additional charges are possible against the suspects in this investigation.

Arrested:

Rodrigo Rabelo (M/W 02/25/1982)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Jowell S. Estrada (M/W 3/7/1993)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Lequan V. Johnson (M/B 3/27/1985)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 2 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Jason E. Bock (M/W 10/15/1998)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Joe J. Silva (M/W 3/12/1991)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Reginald B. Hoskins (12/12/1991)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 2 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

Marcos Esquivel (9/3/1985)
o Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)
o Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)

**All persons are presumed innocent in a court of law until proven guilty**
If you witnessed this incident or have any information that can help with this investigation, please contact the DeKalb Police Department.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/591

08/04/2023

Please note my new name- Carolyn Morris=Carolyn Zasada

07/17/2023

Today, The Kraft Heinz Company announced a more than $400 million investment to build one of the largest automated CPG distribution centers in North America. Located in DeKalb, the 775,000 square-foot national distribution facility will feature state-of-the-art automation technology and national railway access, enabling Kraft Heinz to drive greater supply chain efficiencies and distribute its products to retail and foodservice customers faster than ever. The facility is expected to bring more than 150 jobs to the region.

“As we continue on our journey to lead the future of food, our talented North America teams and collaborative external partners are innovating at a rapid pace to expand our supply chain capabilities,” said Carlos Abrams-Rivera, Executive Vice President and President, North America at Kraft Heinz. “The DeKalb distribution center is expected to play a critical role in our larger distribution strategy, moving more than 60 percent of Kraft Heinz dry goods in North America through our automated facilities. It’s a testament to the dynamic, out-of-the-box thinking of our supply chain teams whose work enables us to operate with greater efficiency and agility every day.”

The facility’s design includes a 24/7 automated storage and retrieval system with the ability to drive twice the volume for Kraft Heinz customers, distributing more than 60 percent of the Company’s foodservice business and approximately 30 percent of all dry goods. It is also expected to contribute to Kraft Heinz’s ability to achieve its broader ESG ambitions to reduce its operational environmental footprint through the implementation of sustainable technology and solutions to reduce the waste produced at the facility and minimize its overall environmental impact.

“We’re driving end-to-end transformation across our entire supply chain, investing in automated technology and digitized solutions to increase the agility of our logistics operations,” said Erin Mitchell, Vice President of Logistics and Head of Network Restructuring at Kraft Heinz. “The construction of our new DeKalb distribution center is the latest example of this transformation in action. We have designed it to help ensure the delivery of our delicious, innovative and iconic products at the right time for our customers and consumers for years to come.”

Kraft Heinz has partnered with Trammell Crow Company (TCC), a global commercial real estate developer; Krusinski Construction Company (KCC), as general contractor; Daifuku, as integrated logistics automation provider; and the City of DeKalb and the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) on the development of the facility.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Kraft Heinz to develop this innovative project, working alongside KCC to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for Kraft Heinz,” said Josh Udelhofen, Senior Vice President with TCC Chicago. “Located in the master planned ChicagoWest Business Center, which TCC has developed in partnership with Jerry Krusinski and his KCC team, Kraft Heinz will be located near other large-scale distribution companies in DeKalb. The area benefits from a strong labor pool, Enterprise Zone incentives, as well as an ideal location along I-88. We look forward to reaching the next construction milestone and moving this project along to deliver the facility to Kraft Heinz in 2025.”

“We are very excited that Kraft Heinz will bring its worldwide reputation for quality products and services to our community,” said Cohen Barnes, Mayor of DeKalb. “The construction and post-construction employment opportunities they bring will have a positive and lasting impact on our residents, and this positive impact is compounded by the additional diversification of our tax base, which will spur further interest in DeKalb for many years to come."

"The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is pleased to support the City of DeKalb and the ChicagoWest Business Center in attracting the Kraft Heinz Company to DeKalb County," said DCEDC Executive Director Paul Borek. "As one of the world's largest food and beverage companies with global brand recognition, Kraft Heinz elevates DeKalb's position as a food processing and distribution hub."

04/26/2023

Congratulations! Go see this new restaurant!

You simply can't go wrong with a classic! Rest assured, The Grove Burger will not disappoint. Stop in this week to check it out for yourself. We are open for dinner starting TONIGHT!

04/26/2023

Yay!

Opening soon in Downtown DeKalb at 214 E. Lincoln Highway.