City of West Chicago, Illinois

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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

Water Sprinkler Restrictions In Effect through September

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Water Sprinkler

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.

West Chicago’s Fit4Fall 5K Registration

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Help welcome fall at West Chicago’s Fit4Fall 5K on September 21!

The 5K & 1 Mile Youth Race will start and finish at Reed-Keppler Park by Zone 250 at 201 West National Street, West Chicago. This is a 5K Certified course on the Illinois Prairie Path that will feature a fun post-race event that participants won't want to miss. 5K runners will receive a Fit4Fall 5K custom medal and Fit4Fall 5K shirt, and the first 100 registrants will receive a swag bag.

Also, 5K runners that register by Thursday, September 5 will receive a free waffle with unlimited toppings from All Belgium Waffle that will be at the post-race event!

Early-bird pricing is available from now until the end of June; $30.00 instead of $35.00. Families running with 4 or more people will also receive $5 off the total at check out.

Register at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/87943/west-chicago-fit4fall-5k.

Fit4Fall 5K is an event hosted by the partnership of the City of West Chicago and Healthy West Chicago.

Sewer Smoke Testing Begins Oct. 4; What Homeowners Need to Know

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Sewer Smoke ProgramThe City’s contractor, RJN Group, will have inspection crews conducting a physical survey of the City’s sanitary sewer system using a “smoke test” beginning Tuesday, October 4 through early November. The information gained from this study will be used to improve the sewer system in keeping with state and federal regulations.

Residents in the affected areas should have received a notification that the survey would be conducted.

The map below highlights the areas scheduled for the survey.

As part of the survey, workers will access manholes to “smoke test” sewers and locate defects in the system. The smoke is non-toxic, harmless, and creates no fire hazard; and should not enter residential homes unless defective plumbing or dried up drain traps are present.

Sewer lines and manholes may be in backyards, and members of the inspection crews will need access whenever these lines require investigation. RJN Group personnel will be identified with uniforms and badges.  Homeowners do not need to be home and field crews are not required to enter your business or residence.

All survey activities are weather dependent.

How to Prepare for Smoke Testing
To prepare for smoke testing, homeowners are encouraged to pour one gallon of water into floor drains and any rarely used sinks, tubs, and toilets to ensure a water barrier is maintained in the drain traps. The drain trap water barrier prevents sewer gases or odors from entering the building.

If the drain trap water barrier is present and smoke does enter your home, this may also suggest sewer gases may be entering your home and a licensed plumber should be contacted to assess the problem.

Residents are encouraged to call the RJN Group Project Manager, Akwasi Nketia, at (630) 682-4700 ext 1322, or City of West Chicago Public Works Department at (630) 293-2255, if they have any questions about respiratory concerns or the smoke testing process.

For additional information about the survey and smoke testing, residents can visit the RJN Group’s website at https://www.rjn.com/smoke-testing-faq.

Smoke Testing Area Map (PDF)

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