City of West Chicago, Illinois

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Celebrate Spring at West Chicago’s Blooming Fest on May 17

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Blooming Fest returns to the heart of West Chicago’s downtown on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a full day of community activities, entertainment, shopping, and seasonal charm.

Now in its 24th year, Blooming Fest will once again feature the West Chicago Garden Club’s popular plant sale, with over 5,000 plants available for purchase. Visitors can also explore over 60 vendors offering a wide range of handcrafted goods—from jewelry and woodcrafts to garden décor—throughout the downtown area.

In addition to exploring the plant sale and craft vendors, the festival will include a variety of food vendors, serving everything from savory to sweet.

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The fest will also offer an assortment of entertainment at the Main Stage, featuring family-friendly performances including a juggler, an animal show, and music from Leman Mariachi and the District 33 Choir. Entertainment will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and continue through 1 p.m., followed by live music from Katie Kostner from 1 to 3 p.m. to close out the event.

Families can also enjoy activities in the KidZone, which will offer a bubble show, face painting, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, and a variety of spring-themed activities hosted by community partners.

Additional highlights around downtown include:

  • American Legion Auxiliary poppy distribution for Memorial Day.
  • The West Chicago Museum (132 Main Street), offering downtown walking tours and access to the Rooted in Place
  • Gallery 200 (103 Washington Street), featuring an art demonstration at 10 a.m., the Art in Full Bloom exhibit, and a flower pot painting activity presented by Healthy West Chicago.
  • A second Gallery 200 location (200 Main Street) will host the Arteculture Exhibit, presented by the City’s Cultural Arts Commission, showcasing works from more than 25 regional artists. The event also coincides with the unveiling of the Summer Art Banner Exhibit, with 17 new artworks to be displayed on street poles throughout downtown.

Planning Your Visit?

If attending Blooming Fest, please be aware of the following street closures:

  • Galena Street (between Main and Tye Court) will be closed from 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16 through 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.
  • Main Street (from Chicago Street to W. Washington) will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.
  • Turner Court will reverse its one-way access and be open only to local residents and event vendors during that time.

Free Public Parking is available at:

  • 508 Main Street
  • 101 Main Street
  • 124 Fremont Street
  • Bible Church Parking lot at Chicago & Fulton

Don’t miss one of West Chicago’s most beloved traditions! For more information, including a full list of entertainment, visit westchicago.org/bloomingfest.

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Resource Now Available on the City Website for Lead Service Line Replacement Project

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The City of West Chicago’s Lead Service Line Replacement Project is a long-term initiative aimed at identifying and replacing water service lines confirmed or suspected to contain lead. This project is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and is mandated by the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, which requires municipalities to inventory all service lines annually and replace any affected lines by 2042.

As of the 2025 inventory, the City has identified a total of 6,577 service lines, with 784 (12%) of those lines potentially affected by lead.

To coincide with the release of the 2025 Lead Service Line Inventory and the updated Lead Service Line Replacement Plan (from April 2025), the City has launched a new resource page. This page serves as a central hub for project updates, important documents, and general information about the initiative.

The resource page includes links to project updates, the most current inventory and replacement plan, and a section where residents can submit questions about the project. It is fully translatable into multiple languages to ensure accessibility for all residents, and the City’s Lead Service Line Replacement Plan is available in both English and Spanish. For guidance on how to translate pages on the City’s website, please refer to the following graphic.

As this long-term initiative progresses, the City is committed to keeping residents informed with regular updates. These updates will continue to be shared through the City’s primary communications channels, with the resource page serving as the main hub for all information. In addition to the resource page and future updates, the City encourages residents to contact the Public Works Department with specific questions or concerns about the project.

View the Lead Service Line Replacement Project Resource

Call for Community Organization to Coordinate the 2025 West Chicago Mexican Independence Day Festival

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The City of West Chicago has proudly hosted the Mexican Independence Day Festival for many years, celebrating the rich heritage and cultural traditions that are such an important part of our community. Since 2015, the event has been organized by the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, which has helped elevate the festival into a signature celebration of music, food, art, and community spirit.

After nearly a decade of leading the coordination of this beloved event, the Mexican Cultural Center has announced it will step away from its organizing role to focus on its expanding public art and cultural programs throughout DuPage County.

“While we will be passing the torch for the Mexican Independence Day celebration, our connection to West Chicago and our commitment to its cultural vibrancy remain steadfast. We will continue to serve our community through our gallery art installations, programs for our schools, artist residencies at our 103 W. Washington St. space, and our ongoing public art endeavors in DuPage County. We are excited to see the innovative spirit a new team will bring to this beloved annual event,”
— Fernando Ramirez, President & Founder, Mexican Cultural Center DuPage

The City of West Chicago is now seeking a community organization to coordinate the 2025 Mexican Independence Day Festival, scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025.

The City has budgeted for a one-day event and will provide City services to support operations on the day of the festival. This is a unique opportunity for a local organization to continue a proud tradition and infuse it with fresh ideas and energy. The festival typically features music, food, vendors, a large piñata, and other activities, which draws residents and visitors from across the region.

If your organization is interested in helping celebrate West Chicago’s vibrant Mexican heritage and playing a leading role in this longstanding community tradition, please contact Nicolette Stefan, Special Events Coordinator, at nstefan@westchicago.org no later than May 16, 2025.

Help us carry this tradition forward and ensure it continues to thrive for years to come.