To help fund two significant projects to improve Wheaton's public safety facilities, the City of Wheaton will increase its municipal gas use tax rate from $0.03 to $0.05 per therm starting March 1, 2026. This increase is expected to increase an average Wheaton household's Nicor natural gas bill by approximately $1.78 per month, or $21.36 annually. This is the first increase in the natural gas tax rate in more than 15 years.
This increase will be used to help fund the replacement of Fire Station 39 (located at 1590 S. President St.) and the remodeling of the Wheaton Police Department. A 2025 comprehensive study of the City's facilities highlighted significant concerns with both buildings, recommending remodeling the Police Station and replacing Fire Station 39 as the most cost-effective options for repairing and modernizing these buildings to meet the City's needs. For more information on the City Council's adoption of this municipal gas use tax rate, you can read the supporting materials from the Jan. 20 City Council meeting. The City Council discussed several options to fund these public safety projects during its 2026 budget process and opted to help fund these projects with the natural gas tax rate increase and a 0.25% increase in the Home Rule Sales Tax rate, which will be effective starting July 1, 2026.