Thumbs up: To the Sycamore City Council for its action this week to entice more residents to participate in the city’s sidewalk replacement program. Council members unanimously supported increasing the city’s contribution to the program from $3 a square foot to $4 a square foot to replace sidewalks, leaving residents responsible for less than half the total cost. It costs $7 to remove and replace a square foot of sidewalk.

The program provides $25,000 annually, so the increase would not affect the budget. This move will not only help residents save money but also address safety in the city.

Thumbs up: To the partnership between DeKalb High School and 3M. DHS students designed and built more than 50 convenience trays in which 3M employees can place their phones, personal computers and other small items while operating forklifts.