DeKalb County is named for Johann DeKalb, who was a German who fought in the Revolution.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Boone County and McHenry County
E – Kane County and Kendall County
S – La Salle County
W – Lee County and Ogle County
Created: March 4, 1837 
County Seat:
Orange (Sycamore) 1837
Cottonville 1837 – 1839
Sycamore 1839 – present
County Courthouse – Sycamore
Location: 133 West State Street / North Main Street
Built: 1904 – 1905
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Herbert T Hazelton of Watson & Hazelton
Contractor: William J. McAlpine
Description: The building faces south and is a three story stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Sycamore. The south front has four large Ionic columns rising from the second story to the parapet which is Greek style with a monument mounded above. The base is horizontal stone. A balustrade rounds along the base of the second story and along the roofline. In the interior, Tennessee marble, bronze and brass are used throughout. The second story has an atrium and two courtrooms. The main courtroom on the third story has stained glass, in the form of a skylight.The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit. The building was restored in 1987. A four story addition was constructed on the north side in 2011 to 2012. The architect was Dewberry and the contractor was Gilbane Inc.
See: The 16th Judicial Circuit includes Kane County and Kendall County.
History: The county was created in 1837 and Orange (Sycamore) was selected as the county seat. In 1837, the first court met in the home of Rufus Colton in Cottonville. The county seat was moved to Sycamore in 1839. A log structure was erected in 1839 in Sycamore and became the first courthouse. The second courthouse was a two story brick structure built by William Phelps in 1850. In 1864 a two story addition was built to house offices. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1904 to 1905 at a cost of $137,000.
County Administration Building – Sycamore
Location: 110 East Sycamore Street / North Main Street
Built: 1981 – 1982
Style: Modern
Architect: Burnidge Cassell and Associates
Contractor: Walker Structural Engineers and Klaucens and Associates Inc.
Description: The building faces north and is a two story concrete and glass structure. The northwest section of the building has a recessed entrance on the north side. On the northwest are horizontal windows on the first and second stories. The east wing descends a slight slope. The roof line is flat.
County Legislative Center – Sycamore
Location: 200 North Main Street / East Exchange Street
Built: 2000 – 2002
Style: Modern
Architect: Wold Associates & Engineers
Contractor: Rockford Structures Construction Company
Description: The building faces south and is a two story buff colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The south front has a projecting one story section with the entrance on the west side entering the two story section. The roof line is flat.
County Courthouse - Sycamore
County Administration Building - Sycamore
County Legislative Center - Sycamore
Photos taken 2007 and 2012