West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. It is the first Illinois community established by the railroads and continues to be a convenient transportation hub served by three major rail lines, one of Illinois’ busiest airport and three state highways.
West Chicago offers excellent schools, a growing business park and convenient access to parks, shopping and restaurants. For more information, contact the Community Development Department, at (630) 293-2200 x 141.
Parks and Recreation
Outstanding opportunities for active recreation and relaxation are prominent in this suburban Chicago location. The West Chicago Park District is a top source for residents in search of recreation. The District oversees more than 390 acres of parkland divided into 13 park sites, which includes the 125-acre Reed-Keppler Park.
Located at National and Arbor streets, Reed-Keppler Park has two playgrounds, several athletic fields, a skate park, a two-acre dog park, and the 25-acre Dyer Nature Sanctuary. Additionally, the Park is the home of Turtle Splash Family Aquatic Center, a popular summer spot featuring a pool with winding waterslides.
Operated by the Forest Preserve District of Preserve District of DuPage County, the 305-acre West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve is a beautiful natural area that adjoins the Illinois Prairie Path. The Path is unique in comparison to others as there are no fishing or picnic areas located here. Instead, it lends itself to quiet strolls throughout the unrefined local prairieland.
Golf enthusiasts relish the courses of West Chicago. Included in the area’s choices are the 18-hole Prairie Landing Golf Club along Kautz Road and the 36-hole St. Andrews Golf and Country Club—both public courses. Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles is an additional choice for golfers.
Real Estate
People of all walks of life, including single professionals, families and retirees, continue to look to West Chicago as a great place to call home.
First-rate educational institutions, plenty of leisure activities and recreation facilities, a calendar year of family-friendly community events, a strategic location near a multitude of employment opportunities, and a selection of housing options are only a few of the reasons why West Chicago has become an appealing site for relocation.
The array of housing styles in West Chicago is impressive, with options ranging from budget-friendly ranches to sprawling estates—ensuring that homebuyers will find exactly what they need to fit their budgets and lifestyles.
Those not looking to buy right away have plenty of alternatives here through a number of rental and leasing properties and apartment complexes. The area’s mature population has full access to compassionate care and a full scope of senior services through several independent and assisted living facilities right within the community.
There is no better time to choose West Chicago for your next home. The benefits are endless, and the City of West Chicago is ready to welcome you to take advantage of all it has to offer.
Education
Excellent education at all levels has always been a priority for residents of West Chicago, a community that is served by an exceptional network of schools, both public and private.
Challenging curriculums, access to a variety of extracurricular programs and committed educators all play important roles in the lives of students, as well as the community as a whole.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is a pre-K through eighth-grade public school system serving more than 4,000 students annually in eight facilities. District 33’s extensive programming assesses each student’s progress and individualizes supports, both academically and socially/emotionally, to ensure students are achieving.
After completing primary school, students of West Chicago and its neighboring communities attend West Chicago Community High School District 94, which in 2016 won a State award for its updated science facility. The school’s Science Division remodeling project was named a 2016 Award of Distinction winner in the annual Invitational Exhibition of Educational Environments sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Board Service Associates. DLA Architects, Ltd. was the architect firm honored for this award.
Alternatives to public schooling may be found at Wheaton Academy and St. Francis High School in Wheaton.
Within a 10-mile radius of West Chicago are a number of colleges and universities for prospective students to choose from. Some decide to begin the college years at one of the area’s junior colleges, including the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn or Elgin Community College in Elgin. Additional choices close by include Aurora University, Benedictine University, two DeVry University campuses in Addison and Naperville, North Central College, and Wheaton College. West Chicago’s proximity to Chicago also affords students with a wealth of additional post-secondary educational choices.
Adding to the learning landscape of West Chicago is the 27,000-square-foot West Chicago Public Library. This modern facility is lined with a collection of more than 70,000 items and offers a multitude of programming for children through adults.
Shopping, Dining and Lodging
In and around West Chicago, finding exactly what you need is simple with access to a wide variety of available shopping, dining and lodging choices.
Family-owned businesses and national chains are successfully mixed in the community. “Big box” supermarkets and grocers, office supply stores, home improvement centers, hardware shops, and more are located within West Chicago.
Neighboring retail centers include the Geneva Commons in Geneva and Town Square in Wheaton.
Business and Industry
The business environment of West Chicago is healthy, and there is no better time to be a part of it. Small businesses and Fortune 500 companies sit side by side in the city, and countless opportunities exist for development and relocation.
West Chicago Now is the City's Economic Development arm and together with a supportive local government, the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, and Choose DuPage, is well-prepared and willing to assist businesses with site selection and business counseling and services, as well as provide resources for private and public financing. Area institutions of higher learning also work closely with local companies to customize training programs for employees.
Healthcare
The latest in medical care is readily available to residents of West Chicago through a number of nearby hospitals, a variety of medical practices, county programs, and initiatives such as Healthy West Chicago.
Two prominent health systems serve West Chicago, each devoted to ensuring the overall well-being of area residents.
The renowned Northwestern Medicine/Central DuPage Hospital, located in neighboring Winfield, and Geneva’s Northwestern Medical/Delnor Community Hospital offer a full range of health services and programming within a modern medical environment.
A major addition to the area’s healthcare community is the new proton therapy facility in nearby Winfield. The facility is one of only a few of its kind in the country and provides the latest in cancer-fighting technology.