City of West Chicago, Illinois

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Business Spotlight: OSI Industries, LLC

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OSI Industries, LLC has grown from a family-owned butcher shop more than 100 years ago to a premier global food provider of leading foodservice and retail food brands.  With more than 20,000 employees in 17 countries, OSI is now one of the largest food processing companies in the world.

Originally operating in the Chicago area, OSI first moved to West Chicago in 1973 with the construction of the nearly 100,000 square foot facility at 711 Industrial Drive, which was the first dedicated processing facility producing frozen beef patties to the industry leading quick service restaurant chain.  Production has expanded over the years to include fresh burgers as well as plant-based patties.

OSI continued its investment in West Chicago with the recent expansion of production space to a new 200,000 square foot facility located at 2555 Enterprise Circle completed in 2022.  The build-out of the new building received LEED ID + C certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for interior design and construction.  “LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement,” according to the USGBC, and “provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.”  Only three other properties have achieved this distinction in West Chicago.

With the addition of the Enterprise Circle facility, OSI now has the ability to produce salsa and dry sausage in West Chicago.  OSI proudly produces thousands of pounds of delicious, safe, and quality food products every day to support well-known restaurants and retailers across the country.

With a workforce of over 300 employees in West Chicago and six locations across the Chicagoland area, OSI has been a cornerstone of the local manufacturing community for decades. In September 2023, OSI proudly marked 50 years of manufacturing in West Chicago. The City celebrated this remarkable milestone by issuing a Proclamation, which was presented by Mayor Ruben Pineda.

To learn more about how OSI feeds the world visit www.osigroup.com.

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People’s Choice Award Winner Announced for 2023 Art Banner Exhibit

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During the City Council meeting on Monday, October 16, Sienna Sherrier from Glen Ellyn was announced as the winner of the City of West Chicago's 2023 Art Banner Exhibit's "People's Choice Award." Sienna accepted her nomination alongside Alderman Chassee, who was serving as Acting Mayor in the absence of Mayor Ruben Pineda, and Heidi Kuharich, Chairman of the City’s Cultural Arts Commission.

Sienna's winning artwork, titled "Blooming Bright," featured vibrant colored flowers against a soft pastel backdrop. The 2023 theme was "Vitality/Vitalidad," and Sienna explained her choice: "I chose to draw the flowers because I love the beautiful, bright colors that start popping up in spring. It looks like an explosion of color!"

Sienna, a creative 4th grader, has been drawing intricate flowers since the age of 6. As noted by her family in the entry submission, "These flowers are bold, yet sweet and whimsical, just like Sienna!"

In 2023, the Annual Art Banner Exhibit received submissions from 46 artists across 21 Illinois communities, totaling 93 unique pieces. Out of these, 26 artists had their work selected for the exhibit by this year's juror, Sara Phalen of West Chicago. The artworks were on display from May through August, during which visitors and residents voted for their favorite display. Sienna's artwork garnered an overwhelming 97 votes out of 314 collected.

The City's Art Banner Exhibit, a 15-year tradition, is organized by the City of West Chicago in collaboration with the City's Cultural Arts Commission. To explore this year's artwork, including Sienna's winning piece, visit westchicago.org/artbannerexhibit.

The City extends its gratitude to all the artists who participated in the 2023 exhibit and encourages them to consider submitting artwork for the 2024 exhibit. Information about next year's exhibit, submission guidelines, and the 2024 theme can be found on the West Chicago website at westchicago.org/artbannerexhibit.

Community Asked to Support Students in Assisting At-Risk Veterans

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West Chicago Elementary School District 33, in partnership with the City of West Chicago, the West Chicago Public Library District, and the West Chicago Park District, is organizing a special community drive to provide support for at-risk Veterans and their families in the surrounding region.

This community drive is dedicated to collecting essential items, including general household goods and hygiene supplies, in preparation for Veterans' Day on Saturday, November 11. All donations will be directed to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton for distribution.

The coordination of this drive is led by Evonne Cruz, a music teacher at Gary Elementary School. When asked about the inspiration behind the initiative, Cruz stated, "The initiative aims not only to assist our Veterans, who have made significant sacrifices for each of us, but also to foster a deeper connection between our students and military service members."

To strengthen the connection between students and military service members, 5th grade student leaders will be orchestrating and promoting donation drives at the School District leading up to Veterans' Day. Additionally, several students from Gary Elementary School have contributed their artistic talents to create pieces of artwork expressing gratitude to military members for their service. These artworks will be included with the multiple donation containers distributed at various schools and throughout the community.

"We hope that the community can rally behind our students so that we can all work together to support those who have given so much for us," stated Cruz.

Items Needed:

While the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans' Freedom Commissary always appreciates items from their move-in housing supply list, the following items are currently in high demand:

  • Dish Soap
  • All-Purpose Cleaner and Spray
  • Garbage Bags (13-gallon)
  • Deodorant (Men's and Women's)
  • Paper Products (Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Kleenex)
  • Body Wash (Men's and Women's)

Where to Donate:

Students from various Elementary School District 33 schools will be encouraged to donate items at their respective schools throughout the month of October. Residents and organizations interested in contributing to this worthy cause can also donate items at the following locations:

  • West Chicago Park District's ARC Center at 201 W. National Street
  • West Chicago Public Library at 118 W. Washington Street
  • West Chicago City Hall at 475 Main Street

For questions or more information, please contact cruze@wego33.org or communications@westchicago.org.

City’s Utility Superintendent Receives Operator of the Year Award

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The City would like to congratulate its Utility Superintendent, Rocky Horvath, who recently received the Operator of the Year award through Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association (IPWSOA).

As stated by IPWSOA, the "Operator of the Year" award is the highest professional honor operators can receive in recognition of service and performance in the waterworks industry. The award is eligible to hundreds of water operators from municipalities and water districts throughout the state who operate facilities that use surface water or groundwater as their water source, or purchase water from another source and distribute it to consumers.

Award recipients are eligible only by nomination from their peers within the field, and are rated on the overall operation of the systems they manage, including the treatment facility, distribution system, and overall operations.

In response to the award announcement, the City’s Public Works Director, Mehul Patel, provided the following statement.

“This is a huge achievement for Rocky, and a proud moment for the City. While he has humbly deemed this a team recognition, it is truly an individual achievement as the nomination for the award must come from his peers in the industry. I am delighted that Rocky is receiving this well-deserved recognition.”

About the Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association (IPWSOA)

The Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association (IPWSOA) was formed in the fall of 1931 by the Illinois Board of Health. The IPWSOA organization consists of water operations professionals with the common goal of delivering clean, safe, potable water to residents across Illinois. Operators meet with peers and regulatory officials regarding health and safety issues for drinking water, new laws and rules, potable water production, distribution, monitoring, and the competent operation of drinking water facilities.

City Approves Community Park Master Plan for Kerr-McGee Site

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During its meeting on Monday, September 5, the City Council approved the Community Park Master Plan developed by Upland Design Ltd. after extensive work with City staff and community members. This Plan outlines the various phases that will span over an extended timeframe to bring to life a new park at the former Kerr-McGee site.

The initial phase of establishing a natural planting area is expected to commence in one to two years, and should be completed prior to the full remediation of the site. Once the full remediation has been completed, the balance of the property will be turned over to the City for further improvements as funding allows.

Subsequent phases will encompass the installation of amenities, including trails, parking lots, a sensory garden, a playground, a challenge course, a pickleball and tennis court, picnic pavilions and shelters, as well as a multi-use field.

For more information about the on-going development of this site, please visit https://westchicago.org/kerrmcgee.