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“We kept wondering why
people don’t vote by mail
more often or have a difficult
time registering,” DeKalb
County Clerk Doug Johnson
said. “Then we realized it was
because the information was
so scattered.”

DeKalb County Clerk consolidates voter information

into one website

DeKalb County Clerk Doug Johnson and his staff launched Johnson also said no other Illinois county has created a
voteranow.com to consolidate all of the information a voter website that consolidates all of the information a voter could need.
needs into one user-friendly and mobile-friendly website. He came up with the idea after brainstorming with his staff, he
On the site there is information on things such as registering to said.
vote, early voting, where to find polling places and information for “We kept wondering why people don't vote by mail more
disabled voters or military and overseas voters, all for DeKalb often or have a difficult time registering," Johnson said. "Then we
residents looking to vote. The top of the site has four different realized it was because the information was so scattered. I
drop down bars with more information about each category. thought, 'Why can't we just put it all in one spot?'"
Students who are registered to vote in their hometowns can Anyone who signs up also has the option to turn on push
use the website as non-DeKalb-resident voters. They can request notifications to be notified when early voting is and when the
to vote early, by mail or at the polls. actual election days and times are.
"In our digital world, people want things available on their To learn more visit DeKalb County’s new mobile friendly site at
smartphones," Johnson said. "So we needed a website available http://voteranow.com.
that [uses] that resource. Hopefully this attracts people who are
busy and use their smartphone." Source: Northern Star, Northern Illinois University, northernstar.info.

Kane County expands treatment
NEWS & UPDATES
alternative court NEWS & UPDATES

The Kane County Treatment Alternative Court Program
has expanded in order to increase the number of participants The Piatt County Zoning Board of
by 50% effective immediately. Previously, Treatment Appeals endorsed a special use permit
Alternative Court (TAC) had a maximum capacity of 20 participants, which will now to erect an indoor cannabis craft grow
increase to 30 participants. facility near Monticello. The Board is
Treatment Alternative Court is a Kane County specialty court program established in requiring the applicant to conduct water
2006 to serve defendants who have serious mental health disorders, co-occurring disor- table tests to ensure the operation would
ders, or developmental disabilities. TAC works with participants to establish appropriate not affect the neighboring water supply.
psychiatric and therapeutic care to reduce symptoms and reduce new arrests. The business is expected to employ
15-20 people. The Piatt County Board
Presiding TAC Judge Marmarie Kostelny said the is scheduled to consider the conditional
extra capacity is greatly needed. “There’s been an permit at its February 12 meeting.
identified increased need in our community due to
the fact that there has been a wait list for The U.S. Department of Housing and
participation in TAC for over a year,” she said. Urban Development (HUD) announced
approximately $1.76 million in funding
The program brings together community based agencies to address the needs of for homeless services in Madison
defendants and provides comprehensive case management with intense judicial County. Madison County Continuum of
supervision in an effort to reduce future criminal activity and incarceration. Three local Care (CoC) will receive the funding for
agencies serve on the TAC team including Ecker Center for Mental Health and have its upcoming fiscal year. The funding
committed their resources for the increase in TAC participants. received from HUD will go to local
shelters, rapid rehousing and permanent
For information visit illinois16thjudicialcircuit.org. supportive housing programs.