Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Wheaton Public Library Project to Receive $750,000 Federal Grant

The City of Wheaton recently received notice that Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has secured $750,000 in federal funding to rehabilitate and expand the Wheaton Public Library’s West Plaza entrance. These improvements will allow for more outdoor community events that provide opportunities for Wheaton residents to engage with the library’s services.

The City submitted this project through Representative Casten’s office earlier this year for Community Project Funding consideration. For more information, visit the City's website.

New Hours for Police Lobby

The Wheaton Police Department has new lobby hours. Police Services Representatives will be available to assist in-person or by telephone (630-260-2161) at the Wheaton Police Department from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The lobby will be closed on Sundays.

This change will not affect emergency services; emergency police services are available at all times by calling 9-1-1. Officers will continue to be staffed 24 hours a day.

Christmas Tree Recycling Now Open Graphic

Christmas Tree Recycling Now Available

Wheaton residents served by LRS can have their live Christmas trees picked up at the curb for free recycling during the weeks of Jan. 2 & Jan. 9 on your garbage day. All pickups will be one day later than usual the week of Jan. 2 due to the New Year's holiday. Please remove all ornaments and decorations and do not bag your tree. After the two-week free collection period, you will need one LRS sticker attached to the tree for it to be picked up.

Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Enacts New Smoke Alarm Law

An updated Smoke Alarm Law is in effect in Illinois. This law requires any new smoke alarm being installed within a single or multi-family home to be an alarm that features a 10-year sealed battery. Currently-installed alarms are exempt from the requirement and may remain in use until they exceed 10 years from the date of manufacture, as long as they are operating properly.

Hot Cocoa Crawl Coming Soon

Gather the whole family for a fun-filled winter day sampling a variety of unique hot cocoas at your favorite Downtown Wheaton shops on Saturday, Jan. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. Each ticket includes a keepsake mug perfect for sipping steamy cocoa.

New for 2023, enjoy a live ice sculpting performance during the event! Watch the artist make winter magic happen as they sculpt a block of ice into a beautiful creation... of the audience’s choosing!

All Cocoa Crawl participants must have an official 2023 DWA Cocoa Crawl mug to participate. Visit the Downtown Wheaton Association's website for tickets.

City of Wheaton’s Shared Cost Parkway Tree Planting Program Expands

With a new year, comes more new trees for the City of Wheaton’s Shared Cost Parkway Tree Planting Program. Open now through March 1, 2023, the program has since expanded from offering 115 available trees to 200. Qualified homeowners will have a new tree planted in the parkway adjacent to their property and can select from up to 12 species for a shared cost of $95.00. The City’s Forestry Division will plant the trees in the spring or fall depending on the species or availability.

To participate, residents must submit an application and receive approval from the City.

Library to Host Program on Martin Luther King Jr. Photographer

Prepare to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with photographer Bernard Kleina, whose rare and historic color photography exhibit, MLK's Chicago Freedom Movement, is on display during January in the library’s Arts & Culture Center. This program will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at Wheaton Public Library, and registration is required.

In his presentation, The Road to Freedom, Mr. Kleina will discuss his experiences while he captured MLK’s Chicago visit and marches on film, and both the ugliness and beauty of the responses to the local struggle for fair and open housing, which continues today. He will review where our country was, and is now, in terms of justice and equality. In partnership with the City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission and Wheaton League of Women Voters.

Wheaton Police Seeking Video Surveillance Related to Pedestrian Fatality

At approximately 8:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, Wheaton Police officers responded to the area of the 900 West Block of Roosevelt Road for a woman lying in the roadway. Paige M. Donahue, a 31-year-old Wheaton resident, suffered severe traumatic injuries and later succumbed to her injuries after being transported to Central DuPage Hospital by the Wheaton Fire Department. Residents in the area are asked to check their doorbell cameras and security systems for any suspicious activity or vehicles between 8 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Jan. 2. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Patti Potter at 630-260-2059. For more information, visit the City's website.

Upcoming Meetings

Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall
303 W. Wesley St.

Coffee with Council

Saturday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.
Wheaton City Hall
303 W. Wesley St.

City Council Planning Session

Monday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall
303 W. Wesley St.

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting & Public Hearing

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall
303 W. Wesley St.

Contact Us

To contact us, please send an email to:
communications@wheaton.il.us.