City of West Chicago, Illinois

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Grilling Safety Tips for Summer Season

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(Original press release provided by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on June 28, 2024)

The Office of the State Fire Marshal advises everyone to take these steps to help ensure a safe summer filled with everyone’s favorite grilled foods:

  •  Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors
  • The grill should be placed away from the home or deck railing, and out from under eaves of your home and overhanging tree branches
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill
  • Never leave your grill unattended
  • Always make sure gas grill lids are open before lighting it
  • Check the gas tank on your propane grills and hoses for leaks each time before using
  • If you smell gas while grilling, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department
  • Make sure charcoal grill coals are cool before disposing of them in a metal container
  • Always have a fire extinguisher, bucket of water or garden hose nearby or know where you can access one quickly

Bonfires, pit fires and campfires can also create fire safety dangers during the summer months. Campfires need to be built at least 25 feet way from tents, shrubs and anything that can burn. Make sure fires are allowed in the area that you are camping. Use of chimineas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits need to be at least 10 feet away from your home or anything that can burn.

For more information about grilling please visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website at: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Grilling.

ComEd Vegetation Management Activities Continue through Summer

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The City has been provided notice that ComEd will be performing vegetation management activities in the West Chicago area from July through September that will include the transmission of herbicide treatment within the right of way in areas throughout the City.

The vegetation management activities are a key component of ComEd’s maintenance program to ensure system electrical reliability, as vegetation contact with ComEd equipment is a leading cause of outages.

The City has posted a map outlining the proposed properties that may be affected by the upcoming vegetation management activities on its website. [Updated July 2, 2024]

ComEd has provided a printed notification to any affected customers and property owners with statement of the vegetation management activities planned.

Residents are reminded that qualified herbicide applicators contracted by ComEd will be performing the work with supervisors and general foremen in close contact with the crews, ensuring that the work is performed properly.

For more information about vegetation maintenance along power lines and ComEd’s “Right Tree, Right Place” program, please visit: http://www.ComEd.com/Trees. Residents with questions or concerns should contact ComEd at (800) 334-7661.

Explore the Great Outdoors in West Chicago This Summer

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Join your community this summer and discover the wonders of the outdoors in West Chicago through the City of West Chicago and Healthy West Chicago's initiative, WeGo Exploring.

WeGo Exploring: A Community Initiative

WeGo Exploring is back to inspire residents to venture outside and enjoy the numerous attractions West Chicago has to offer. From expansive green spaces, trails, and parks to various outdoor art exhibits and events, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Discover and Share Your Adventures

To support your outdoor adventures, the City has created a dedicated webpage featuring a wide range of activities and destinations, brought to you by the City’s community partners, including Healthy West Chicago, the West Chicago Public Library District, the West Chicago Park District, and the Friends of the West Chicago City Museum.

Residents are encouraged to share their outdoor experiences through:

  • Participating in scavenger hunts.
  • Sharing photos on the WeGo Exploring webpage.
  • Promoting their activities on social media.

Join the Summer Scavenger Hunt

The summer scavenger hunt is already underway and will continue over the next few months. Visit the WeGo Exploring webpage for instructions on how to participate and for details on the exciting prizes up for grabs.

There's so much to see and do in West Chicago this summer! Take the time to step outside and explore all the great outdoor opportunities waiting for you. Enjoy the fresh air, make new memories, and embrace the beauty of West Chicago's natural and cultural offerings.

Start Exploring the Great Outdoors of West Chicago

Celebrate the Opening of “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” in West Chicago

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(Initial press release issued by Carol Fox & Associates)

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) in coordination with Meztli Mexico and in partnership with the College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD) and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) presents the exciting new project: “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy.”

The new outdoor exhibit featuring 33 large, brightly colored, hand-painted renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures will be officially displayed this summer through October 2024 predominantly throughout suburban Chicago’s DuPage County in an expansive exhibition highlighting the culture of the ancient Olmec civilization in a fresh and accessible way.

To celebrate the exhibition, a free “Olmec Trails Family Fiesta” celebration will be held at COD's McAninch Arts Center’s (MAC) Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd., Sunday, June 30, 2-6 p.m. This family friendly event featuring live music by Mariachi Monumental, folkloric dance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, salsa dance lessons, face painting, food vendors and more is sponsored by College of DuPage Foundation.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view the 10 Olmec sculptures installed at COD and immerse themselves in the educational and informational display in the MAC lobby containing information on locations and artists and the mystery of the legendary Olmec people.

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The colossal stone heads, crafted by the Olmecs between 1400 BCE to 400 BCE, originated in the southern part of Veracruz, Mexico, the cultural heart of this early Mesoamerican civilization. Each multi-ton sculpture, sculpted from a single stone using primitive tools, reflected the Olmecs' artistic prowess and their significant influence on subsequent Mesoamerican cultures. Today, these iconic heads are celebrated globally as prime examples of pre-Columbian art and adorn various museums and public spaces. Notably, the Olmecs, Mesoamerica's earliest civilization, left enduring legacies, including the precursor to sports like basketball and soccer.

“Olmec Trails” pays tribute to the indigenous roots of Mexican heritage as well as brings attention to the importance of public art by showcasing the immense talent and creativity of 33 contemporary artists from across North America.

Installations will be located throughout DuPage County and beyond. Those in DuPage County include 10 installations located on the walking paths of College of DuPage; five at St. James Farm in Warrenville, Ill.; three at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Ill.; three at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Ill.; and one in the following locations: Naperville’s downtown and 95 St. Public Libraries; Great Western Prairie Path in Elmhurst, Ill.; Glen Ellyn Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago Public Library, West Chicago Park District and Kruse House in the City of West Chicago, Ill.; Wheaton Prairie Path in Wheaton, Ill. plus a location to be announced. A list of location addresses is attached to this release.

Installations outside of DuPage County include the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill. and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The latter is in honor of Carlos Tortolero, the museum’s President Emeritus and Founder, and the inspiration behind the project.

Support for “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” is provided in part by the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, College of DuPage, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Illinois Office of Tourism and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Artist support is provided in part by Meztli Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance.

As a Municipal Hub Sponsor of the Exhibit, the City of West Chicago encourages its residents to attend this special celebration and visit all the sculptures located throughout DuPage County this summer, especially those located in West Chicago at the West Chicago Public Library, the West Chicago Park District’s Reed-Keppler Park, the Kruse House Museum, and Kline Creek Farm.

Learn more about the Exhibit by visiting the Cleve Carney Museum of Art’s website at olmectrails.com.

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD)

The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) has built a long-standing reputation and stands as a beacon of cultural expression, emphasizing expansive community public art projects deeply rooted in Mexican traditions. In 2022, MCCD joined forces with Meztli and embarked on the "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World", at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Ill. The exhibit emerged as the largest display of “Alebrijes Monumentales” outside Mexico. As champions of Mexican arts in America, MCCD caters to the population of 43 million Americans of Mexican lineage. MCCD is a founding member of the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance (MCAA). MCAA is a bi-national alliance of Mexican-led organizations led by the National Museum of Mexican Art. For more information about MCCD, visit MCCDuPage.org.

College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD)

The COD DuPage Public Art Project proposed by MAC Director Diana Martinez, was approved by the COD Board of Trustees in October 2020 with the goal of initiating public art events and art installations throughout DuPage County. The idea of the project was inspired by the announcement by COD President Dr. Brian Caputo of the Arts, Culture and Community Engagement Pillar of the College’s 2021-2026 Strategic Long-Range Plan. The COD Public Art Committee partnership with Glen Ellyn kicked off with the September 2021 installation of the Tony Fitzpatrick murals. Additional projects have included October 2021 “Chalk the Walk” community initiative featuring art by 3D chalk artist Nate Baranowski, the travelling installation “Glen Ellyn Letters” created by Juan Chawuk, and “The Grove” Glen Ellyn Taylor Avenue pedestrian underpass tunnel mural. For more information about the COD Public Art Project, visit theccma.org/codpubart.

DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB)

DCVB is the official destination marketing organization for DuPage County, Illinois' second largest County, comprised of 38 communities. The DCVB works in partnership with community business and civic leaders to maximize travel and tourism opportunities which contribute to the economic vitality of the County and its residents. For more information, visit DiscoverDuPage.com.

Water Sprinkler Restrictions In Effect through September

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The City’s Summer Water Sprinkler Restriction Program is in effect through the month of September.

To promote water conservation, the City imposes annual restrictions on the use of unattended running water from hoses or sprinkler systems for lawn and garden watering between May 15 and September 15. The restrictions are as follows:

  • For addresses with odd numbers, watering is permitted only on days with odd-numbered dates of the month.
  • For addresses with even numbers, watering is permitted only on days with even-numbered dates of the month.

Residents who wish to water newly seeded or sodded lawns may be granted a two-week allowance, subject to approval by the City's Water Utility Superintendent.

Conserving outdoor water usage not only saves money but also helps protect the limited water resources in the region. Visit the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s website for more information on how efficient lawn watering helps Chicago region conserve water and save infrastructure costs.