City of West Chicago, Illinois

Where History and Progress Meet

Business Community Update: August 2023

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The City of West Chicago welcomed the following new businesses to the community in August 2023.

  • Nuevo Estilo is a beauty salon located at 178 W Washington Street, Suite C
  • Creative Feeling LLC is a new personalized gift retailer located at 128 Main Street.
  • PrimeWay Auto Carrier LLC provides auto carrier transportation services and is located in the Roosevelt Center at 245 W Roosevelt Road, Bldg 15, Unit 125.
  • inc-sys is located at Roosevelt Center (245 W Roosevelt Road) and provides IT Consulting Services.
  • Enerlites Inc is a Lighting Controls & Wiring Devices Wholesaler located at 1330 W Washington Street.
  • Floor Coverings International of West Chicago is located at 1275 W Roosevelt Road, Suite 116 and is a Flooring Retailer & Installer.
  • Amirjon Trucking Corp is located at Roosevelt Center (245 W Roosevelt Road) and is a Trucking Company.
  • All Dreams Banquet is located in the newly renovated space at 170 W Roosevelt Road, Unit 102 and is a Banquet Hall/Event Venue.
  • 630 CNC Inc is a Machine Shop for Metals & Plastics located at 1006 Carolina Drive.
  • Industrial Solutions Unlimited LLC has relocated to another unit at the Roosevelt Center (245 W Roosevelt Road) and Supplies Conveyor Belts & Parts.

Business Community Update: July 2023

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The City of West Chicago welcomed the following new businesses to the community in July 2023.

  • Wood Distribution Solutions LLC, a Texas-based logistics and transportation company, has opened its first location outside of Texas at 595 Innovation Drive.  This recently constructed facility is approximately 250,000 SF.
  • Main Street Lofts at 487 Main Street is a 24-unit, four-story building that was recently constructed.  The Grand Opening is planned for later this month with residents expected to move-in next month.
  • Reuse Electronics has moved into the Roosevelt Center at 245 W Roosevelt Road (this is NOT a drop-off site).  The company is a recycled component wholesaler.
  • Freight United Inc arranges freight transportation at its office located in Suite C6 of 1800 W Hawthorne Lane.
  • Red Cloud Contracting is located at 811 Industrial Drive where it runs its general contracting office, primarily focused on residential projects.
  • Reliable Quality Construction & Precision Cut Tile LLC by RQC is located at 0S271 Town Road, Suite A and is a general contractor.  Their services include both residential and commercial projects.  You will find them working on the build-out of the Wiant House located at 151 W Washington Street.
  • Casa de Dios Sembrando en Tu Tierra has opened their doors at 113 Turner Court, Unit 2 to provide service, counseling, mentorship and bible teaching.
  • Phil Vischer Enterprises, Inc. has moved into the Roosevelt Center at 245 W Roosevelt Road.  The company produces media, film and audio content.
  • Krage Auto Center located at 120 E Roosevelt Road is under new ownership (Great Water 360 Auto Care).  Terry Krage is still the Shop Manager.
  • Moon Nutrition, an Herbalife Café, located at 334 S Neltnor Boulevard, Unit I is under new ownership.  Be sure to say “hello” to Jose next time you stop in.
  • ESM Products has consolidated two smaller locations into a larger new space at 1130 Carolina Avenue.  The company is a distributor of personal protective equipment in the food processing industry.

West Chicago Man Charged in Fatal Traffic Accident

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(This story was updated on Friday, September 8 at 10:55 a.m. to include the following original content from a press release issued by DuPage County on Friday, September 8, 2023. The original content created on Thursday, September 7 is included at the bottom of this story.)

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today that bond has been set for a West Chicago man accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident in which he was allegedly involved. Jose Barrera Munoz, 40 (d.o.b. 5/21/1983) of the 300 block of Church Street, appeared at a bond hearing this afternoon where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $​500,000 with 10% to apply. Barrera Munoz is charged with one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Driving While License Suspended – 2nd Offense (Class 4 Felony).

On September 6, 2023, at approximately 7:15 p.m., West Chicago police officers responded to a traffic crash with injuries on Neltnor Boulevard and Kings Circle. Upon their arrival, officers found the victim lying on the ground. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour later. Through their investigation, officers learned that Barrera Munoz was allegedly making a left-hand turn northbound onto Neltnor Boulevard in front of the victim who was riding a motorcycle southbound on Neltnor Boulevard. It is alleged that the victim was unable to stop his motorcycle in time and crashed into the driver’s side of Barrera Munoz’s Toyota Corolla, causing him to fly off his motorcycle and land on the ground. It is further alleged that after the crash, Barrera Munoz fled the scene on foot. West Chicago police officers located Barrera Munoz at approximately 2 a.m. the following morning at a West Chicago residence. He was taken into custody at that time without incident.

“If you are involved in an accident, fatal or not, not stopping is not an option,” Berlin said. “The allegation that Mr. Barrera Munoz was involved in a crash that sent a man flying off his motorcycle and onto the ground and that instead of rendering aid, he fled on foot, leaving his car behind, are extremely upsetting,” Berlin said. “Additionally, the actions alleged against Mr. Barrera Munoz are not only disgraceful, they are also illegal. I extend my sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and friends as they grieve this senseless, terrible loss. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their efforts in the quick identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case as well as DuPage MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team for their work in piecing together what allegedly happened that night. I also thank Assistant State's Attorneys Sara Henley and Michael Pingaj for their work in preparing a strong case against the defendant.”

"When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, the law requires that you stop,” Fleury said. “Had Mr. Barrera Munoz complied with the law, he may have found himself facing less severe charges than he is now. On behalf of the West Chicago Police Department, I offer our condolences to the victim’s family for their tragic loss. I thank our police officers who worked tirelessly through the night to locate the defendant in this case. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their work and for filing appropriate charges against Mr. Barrera Munoz.”

Barrera Munoz’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 2, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Original story published on the City of West Chicago website on Thursday, September 7 at 3:45 p.m.)

At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, West Chicago Police Officers responded to the area near N. Neltnor Boulevard and Kings Circle for a traffic accident involving a car and motorcycle.

Upon reaching the scene, officers discovered a male victim in the roadway. Witnesses informed attending officers that the victim was the driver of the motorcycle and reported that the other driver had left the area on foot.

West Chicago Fire Protection District paramedics transported the victim to Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield where he was pronounced deceased at 8:10 p.m. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the family.

During the course of their investigation, the West Chicago Police Department identified the alleged driver of the car to be Jose L. Barrera-Munoz (40 y.o.a.) of West Chicago.

Barrera-Munoz was located at a West Chicago residence, where he was taken into custody and charged with one count of Failure to Report an Accident Involving Death, a Class 1 Felony, and one count of Driving While License Suspended, a Class 4 Felony. He was later transported to DuPage County Jail and is currently awaiting his bond court appearance.

Members of the public are reminded that individuals charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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City Welcomes New Police Officer Daniel Schane

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On Wednesday, August 30, the City of West Chicago’s Police Department welcomed Police Officer Daniel Schane to their ranks.

Amongst family members, friends, new colleagues, and fellow officers, Officer Schane was sworn in as the Department’s newest officer by Chief of Police Colin Fleury.

Officer Schane joins the Department with several years of experience, including roles with the Winnfield Police Department and the Orland Park Police Department, as well as experience serving as a licensed paramedic for the Wheaton Fire Department. Additionally, he has six years of service as an Army Reservist.

As emphasized by Chief Fleury during the special ceremony, Officer Schane and his family will be supported by and be part of a much larger extended family that includes the City of West Chicago, its Police Department, and the West Chicago community.

Bond Set for Person Accused of Leading West Chicago Police on High-Speed Chase

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(Initial press release issued by DuPage County on Friday, August 21, 2023)

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced that bond was set over the weekend for an Algonquin man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase. Germaine Sharpe, 48 (d.o.b. 7/31/1975) of the 2300 block of Dawson Lane, appeared in Bond Court Sunday morning where Judge Angelo Kappas set bond at $150,000 with 10% to apply. Sharpe is charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Peace Officer and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Both charges are a Class 4 Felony.

On August 19, 2023, at approximately 1:03 a.m., a West Chicago police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle allegedly driven by Sharpe for traveling 62 mph in a 45-mph-zone. It is alleged that during the traffic stop the officer learned that Sharpe had an active failure to appear warrant out of Kane County and that during the traffic stop, Sharpe fled the scene onto North Avenue. It is further alleged that the officer pursued Sharpe onto North Avenue and ultimately onto St. Charles Road, where the pursuit came to an end after Sharpe struck a curb and damaged his vehicle. Sharpe was taken into custody at that time. It is alleged that during the pursuit, Sharpe reached speeds of approximately 80 mph in a 35-mph zone. It is further alleged that at the time of his arrest, Sharpe was in possession of approximately .5 grams of cocaine.

“Once again, a motorist who thought he could outrun the police now finds himself facing felony charges,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County, we will not sit idly by and allow irresponsible drivers to put innocent people at risk. This case again illustrates our unwavering commitment to removing dangerous drivers from our roads and holding them responsible for their alleged actions. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their work on this case and for their continuing efforts in keeping our roadways safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys John Segoviano and Anthony Raimondi for their work in securing charges against Mr. Sharpe."

“We take fleeing and eluding very seriously, and I thank the officers involved in this case for their efforts that resulted in the apprehension of the alleged offender,” Fleury said. “I am thankful for the outstanding partnership we share with State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office in prosecuting these cases.”

Sharpe’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 18, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.