City of West Chicago, Illinois

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Demolition Work for Multiple Downtown Properties to Begin on December 23  

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Site preparation and demolition of several downtown properties will begin on Monday, December 23. The properties involved are located at 126 Wood Street, 447 Main Street , 302 High Street, and 314 High Street. The demolition process is expected to take several weeks, weather permitting. In October, the City Council approved a contract for the demolition, selecting Anthem Excavation and Demolition, Inc. to carry out the work on these properties. 

Impact on Traffic and Local Residents 

Residents and commuters should be prepared for disruptions during the demolition activities. Traffic patterns along Main Street and High Street may be altered, potentially causing temporary delays. The City will provide future updates regarding any expected traffic changes. Additionally, residents living near the demolition sites can anticipate construction-related activity, including increased noise, particularly during the early stages of the project. 

Why These Properties Were Acquired & Future Plans 

This demolition project is a key part of the City’s ongoing commitment to downtown revitalization and long-term economic growth. The City most recently acquired 126 Wood Street after the previous owner failed to maintain the buildings, which had deteriorated to the point of being unsafe and beyond repair. Removing these structures aligns with the City’s strategy to improve the downtown area and create space for new development opportunities that align with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Police Department Promotes Local Resident from Officer to Sergeant

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The City of West Chicago is pleased to announce the well-deserved promotion of Officer Jonathan Jones to the rank of Sergeant with the West Chicago Police Department. Sergeant Jones was sworn in by Chief Colin Fleury on the evening of Tuesday, December 3.

A lifelong resident of West Chicago, Sergeant Jones began his career with the Department in March 2012 after graduating from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at College of DuPage. Throughout his career, Sergeant Jones has demonstrated unwavering dedication to both the community and the department.

He has spent the majority of his career serving as a Uniformed Patrol Officer, and for the past two years, has excelled in the role of the Department's Training Coordinator. In addition, Sergeant Jones has contributed his expertise as a Field Training Officer, Evidence Technician, and Instructor in several critical areas, including Defensive Tactics, Rapid Deployment, OC Spray, and CPR/AED.

The City of West Chicago and the West Chicago Police Department are proud to celebrate Sergeant Jones on this significant milestone. His commitment to public service, his professionalism, and his leadership qualities make him an invaluable asset to both the department and the community.

The City looks forward to the continued positive impact he will have in his new role.

New Refuse Hauling Contract to Save Residents $1.2 Million 

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The City of West Chicago recently approved a new refuse hauler contract with Groot Industries, Inc., following a thorough evaluation of proposals submitted from different haulers. The contract, which was presented and approved by the City Council on November 4, 2024, will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Under the new agreement, 2025 rates will reflect an inflation adjustment, with future increases capped at 4% per year to ensure long-term affordability. Over the seven-year term, residents are projected to save $1.2 million compared to the other submitted proposal, while continuing to receive reliable, high-quality service from Groot without any changes or disruptions to their current service.

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“We are committed to providing the best service at the most affordable price for West Chicago residents,” said Mayor Ruben Pineda. “This contract delivers savings while maintaining the high standards our community deserves.”

Key Benefits of the New Contract & 2025 Rates

In addition to expected savings of $1.2 million over the next several years, the agreement includes the following key benefits:

  • Senior Rates: The City negotiated the lowest senior rates of surrounding municipalities, ensuring affordable waste collection for West Chicago’s senior residents.
  • Sustainable Waste Services: Residents will continue to benefit from free electronic waste drop-off at 1995 Powis Road every Saturday. Additionally, the rate for the dual-purpose yard waste/compost cart annual subscription has been reduced from $225 to $200, making composting more affordable.
  • Continuance of Special Programs: The new contract ensures that programs such as bulk item collection week, holiday tree collection, and free leaf collection will continue without additional costs to residents.

The agreement includes an inflation adjustment for 2025, with future rates capped at 4% annually, providing residents with a clear understanding of future costs. The following rates will go into effect on January 1, 2025:

  • Refuse Sticker: From $2.59 to $3.00
  • 35-gallon Senior Rate: From $10.13 to $12.50
  • 35-gallon Regular Rate: From $15.00 to $19.74
  • 95-gallon Regular Rate: From $21.33 to $23.74
  • Yard Waste Subscription: From $225.11 to $200.00

For more information about residential recycling and waste disposal services, please visit the City’s website at westchicago.org/utilities.

New Murals Brighten Downtown West Chicago 

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If you’ve recently visited downtown West Chicago, you’ve likely seen something exciting—a colorful new addition that's adding to the growing energy of the area!

Following the refreshed Fremont Street water tower painted earlier this spring, the City's new mural program adds vibrant pops of color with the installation of seven stunning murals throughout downtown.

Created by local artist Giovanni Arellano (a.k.a. Fiendsco), the artwork was digitally printed and installed within frames designed to allow for future mural replacements to enhance the downtown for years to come.

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The initial mural installation was made possible through a grant from the DuPage Foundation’s 2023 JCS Fund Public Art Grant, which covered half of the project’s cost, and a partnership with AT&T, that allowed the mural installation at 225 Main Street.

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Illinois Prairie Path: The Heart of the Series

Each of the new murals, now decorating buildings along Main Street, Washington Street, and Turner Court, celebrates the rich diversity of Illinois’ prairies. This theme was carefully chosen as a tribute to the Illinois Prairie Path, which runs through West Chicago, linking communities across DuPage County.

A personal touch is added with the mural at 225 Main Street, reflecting Giovanni’s memories of traveling the Prairie Path and admiring the colorful species that call Illinois home, such as native butterflies, flowers, and birds. This mural serves as the perfect starting point for visitors wishing to explore the other artworks located at 200 Main Street, 132 Main Street, and 103 W. Washington Street.

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A Strategic Vision for Downtown West Chicago

This mural program is an exciting piece of a larger initiative outlined in the City’s award-winning Comprehensive Plan, which calls for connecting with local artists and identifying City-owned properties in the downtown area as locations for showcasing artwork. The program supports several placemaking goals, including creating opportunities for neighborhood art, enhancing the downtown's visual appeal, and promoting walking and biking through engaging public art installations.

Extensive community feedback gathered during the planning process for the Comprehensive Plan highlighted residents' desire to activate the downtown area and attract local tourism. This mural program directly supports those community desires.

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Looking Ahead: An Ongoing Art Program

This exhibit marks the beginning of an ever-growing public art program that will allow for fresh new artwork to be installed within the mural frames in future years contributing to the West Chicago’s art scene, further enriching the downtown’s vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

Honoring Our Heroes: West Chicago’s Veterans Day Display

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As Veterans Day approaches, let us come together to recognize and honor the bravery of those who have served, ensuring their contributions are celebrated for generations to come.

In this spirit of remembrance, the City of West Chicago proudly reaffirms its commitment to honoring its local veterans through the annual Veterans Day Display Program, recently installed downtown. This heartfelt initiative showcases the bravery and service of West Chicago residents while highlighting the City’s dedication to recognizing and celebrating all local veterans.

This year, the City is honored to add the following distinguished individuals to the program:

  • Erik Nelson (2009–2015, U.S. Army)
  • Harry Hummel (1943–1946, U.S. Army)
  • William Birch (1973–1977, U.S. Air Force)
  • Richard Howard (1949–1953, U.S. Army)
  • Vincente Alvarez (2018–2022, U.S. Marine Corps)
  • Lawerence “Lorny” Urban (1942–1946, U.S. Army)
  • Frank Dorner (1968–1971, U.S. Army)
  • LeClaire Carey (1968–1971, U.S. Army)
  • Donald Nellis (1945–1949, U.S. Army; 1949–1953, U.S. Air Force Reserves)

While we celebrate these new entries into the program, the City invites everyone to honor all our local veterans by visiting downtown to view the 62 individuals on display. Each banner represents a local hero who has called West Chicago home, and the City is proud to honor these individuals for their significant contributions to our country while representing their hometown.

To view the veterans featured in the Program, please visit the City’s website at westchicago.org/veteransdaydisplay.

The Veterans Day Display Program: Continuing a Tribute to Local Heroes

Launched in 2021, the Veterans Day Display Program was created to pay tribute to local veterans. After reaching maximum capacity for participants in 2023, the City recognized the need for reorganization of the Program in response to overwhelming interest in the banner display. The City actively utilized initial feedback while also engaging in discussions with community members to gather suggestions for improving the program, including increasing the number of participants and the veterans honored each year.

This collaborative effort resulted in significant enhancements, such as more legible banner designs and better placement within the downtown area to ensure greater accessibility for pedestrians. By featuring a different individual on each side of the banner, allocating appropriate funds annually, and implementing a rotation for future installations, the City addressed capacity limitations while maximizing the number of veterans honored each year.

As part of the revamped program, the City will allocate annual funds to allow for the addition of up to 14 new veterans, ensuring that all who have served from West Chicago are recognized at no cost to themselves or their nominators. Additionally, nominations are now accepted year-round at westchicago.org/veteransdaydisplay, rather than just during the month leading up to the program, allowing residents to enter at any time. Entries will be added to a running list on a first-come, first-served basis. Once nominations reach capacity for the year, any remaining submissions will automatically roll over into the following year’s group of inductees.

The City extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the residents who contributed to revamping this vital initiative, which serves as a testament to our community's commitment to honoring its heroes. Your dedication will ensure that every local veteran is celebrated each year, allowing West Chicago to uphold the legacy of those who have served while reinforcing our unwavering support for all members of the armed services.