SYCAMORE – Before John Hulseberg left the DeKalb County Board on Monday, he had one request for new and returning members.

He told the 24 members of the board to forget about the Ds and Rs in front of their names, call each other more often and work together to address the issues the county faces. Moments later, party lines were firmly established between members as Democrats and Republicans butted heads over who should be the new chairman.

On one side, Republicans nominated Ken Andersen – a person they believed both parties supported in an unspoken understanding during negotiations days before. Democrats countered when Anita Jo Turner nominated Republican Jeffery Metzger for the position.