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State of the City 2025: Mayor Suess Highlights Wheaton’s ProgressDuring his State of the City Address on Feb. 20, Mayor Suess highlighted Wheaton’s continued financial strength, with a balanced budget and no increase in the property tax levy for the sixth consecutive year. He emphasized the City’s commitment to infrastructure, noting that over $30 million was invested in roads, water systems, and stormwater management in 2024. Mayor Suess also spoke about the growth and vibrancy of downtown Wheaton, which was voted as the Best Downtown Atmosphere in the Daily Herald Reader’s Choice Awards. With more than 30 new businesses opening and major development projects completed, the City is seeing the results of long-term investments. Hear more about the City’s 2024 accomplishments and what’s to come this year by viewing Mayor Suess’ full address in this video. |
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Upcoming Parking Changes in Downtown WheatonChanges are coming to downtown Wheaton parking, following approval by the City Council at the Feb. 18, 2025, City Council Meeting. Designed to improve convenience for both customers and employees, these updates will roll out in phases beginning in spring 2025. What’s Changing? - Customer Parking: A new three-hour time restriction will be in effect Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., in areas marked with Customer Parking signs. After 6 p.m. each day and all day Saturdays and Sundays, there will be no time limits for customer parking.
- Employee Parking: A new Blue Dot permit will allow downtown employees to park beyond posted time limits in designated areas if they display a Blue Dot placard. Applications for permits will open in May, with Blue Dot spaces becoming active in July. Downtown business owners can purchase Blue Dot permits which can be shared among employees.
- Wheaton Place Garage: All spaces on the fourth floor of the Wheaton Place Garage will transition to daily fee parking, payable through the Passport app.
The City will be sharing updates as new signage is installed and when these changes take effect. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months. |
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Gary Avenue to be Closed for Reconstruction ProjectStarting the week of March 16, Gary Avenue will be closed between Prairie Avenue and Harrison Avenue as crews begin the next phase of the Gary Avenue Reconstruction Project. Crews will be reconstructing the roadway and expanding the culvert, adding a stoplight at Prairie Avenue, adding a path for pedestrians and more. This section of Gary Avenue is expected to be closed until mid-summer, once the south half of the road reconstruction is complete. Please reference signs in the area for local access to nearby businesses. More information is available at www.wheaton.il.us/GaryAvenue. |
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Community Relations Commission Accepting Nominations for 2025 Good Citizens AwardsThe Community Relations Commission is seeking nominations for the City of Wheaton’s 2025 Good Citizens Awards now through Monday, March 31. The categories for this year’s nominations are student and adult. Nominees must be current Wheaton residents who go above and beyond for the benefit of Wheaton and its citizens and may not be paid for the service for which they are nominated. To nominate someone, fill out an online application at www.wheaton.il.us/goodcitizens, or mail your application to Wheaton City Hall, Attn: Michelle Mayer, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, IL 60187. |
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Mark Your Calendar for Wheaton’s April Environmental EventsApril is the perfect time to go green in Wheaton! The Environmental Improvement Commission is bringing back community-favorite events that make it easy for residents to recycle responsibly and beautify their landscapes with native plants. - Recycling Extravaganza & Paper Shredding Event, Saturday, April 12, 8:30-Noon, DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road
- Clear out the clutter while protecting the environment. Wheaton’s Recycling Extravaganza is an opportunity to recycle many types of items safely. Paper shredding, syringe disposal, electronic recycling, and more are offered.
- Native Plant Sale, Saturday, April 26, 8:30-11 a.m., Public Works Storage Yard, 820 W. Liberty Drive
- Bring beauty and sustainability to your yard with plants that thrive in Illinois. The Native Plant Sale, hosted in partnership with the Wheaton Park District, offers a fantastic selection of flowers, bushes, grasses, and shrubs that provide a habitat for native wildlife while providing an attractive, low-maintenance landscape.
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March is Women’s History MonthWheaton's Community Relations Commission encourages the community to learn more about Women’s History Month and to join in the celebration through participation in some of the local events offered for the community throughout March. Women of Wheaton: Starting in 2021, the Community Relations Commission compiled a range of profiles of women (past and present) so the community can get to know some of the incredible women in our town. For 2025, the Women of Wheaton theme is focused on women who work in a leadership role at Wheaton’s many not-for-profit organizations. Please visit the Women of Wheaton webpage to read this year’s Women of Wheaton profiles. We Are Women Art Exhibit, March 1-31, Downtown Wheaton: The Community Relations Commission, in partnership with the Downtown Wheaton Association and the DuPage Art League, is presenting the 5th annual We Are Women Art Exhibit. From March 1-31, more than 20 pieces of artwork from local women artists from the DuPage Art League and local high schools will be displayed at some of Wheaton’s women-owned or -managed businesses. Find out more information and view the list of participating businesses by visiting the Downtown Wheaton Association's website. There are many more local events and resources on Women’s History Month at the Wheaton Public Library. Please visit www.wheaton.il.us/WomensHistoryMonth to find out more. |
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Board/Commission AppointmentThe City Council approved the appointment to the following Board: - Downtown Design Review Board
- Michael Hill was appointed for a term through Nov. 20, 2026
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Seasonal and Internship Opportunities Available with the City of WheatonLooking for hands-on experience in local government? The City of Wheaton is hiring a Civil Engineering Intern, GIS Intern, and several Summer Laborers. Whether you're a student eager to apply your skills in a real-world setting or looking for a great seasonal job, these opportunities offer valuable experience and a chance to contribute to your community. - Civil Engineering Intern: Gain field and office experience working on public infrastructure projects.
- GIS Intern: Apply your mapping and data skills to support the City’s planning and operations.
- Summer Laborers: Work outdoors helping maintain the City’s streets, utilities, public spaces, and much more.
Apply today at www.wheaton.il.us/Jobs. Important Dates & Information for Upcoming ElectionOn April 1, 2025, each of Wheaton's four district representative positions on the City Council is up for election. Voters can only vote for one candidate for City Council in the district in which they reside. Some Wheaton residents now belong to a different election district than in past elections due to changes in district boundaries. This map shows the current election district boundaries. This Consolidated Election also includes the election of Park District, Township, and School District officials. There are several key dates to note as we approach election day: - March 4: Last day for regular voter registration
- March 5: Grace period registration and voting begins
- March 17: Early voting begins at multiple locations throughout DuPage County
- March 31: Last day for early voting
- April 1: Election Day; last day of grace period registration and voting
You can visit DuPage County's website to see a list of all candidates for the election. March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month in IllinoisThe Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is recognizing March as Severe Weather Preparedness Month, urging residents to be ready for threats like tornadoes, flooding, and power outages. To stay prepared, IEMA-OHS advises: - Storing important documents in a waterproof container,
- Creating a home inventory with photos/videos,
- Knowing how to shut off utilities,
- Keeping an emergency kit with supplies for at least three days, and
- Having flashlights and using generators safely outdoors.
For more preparedness tips, visit Ready Illinois. Employment OpportunitiesThe City of Wheaton has the following employment opportunities available: - Civil Engineer - Capital Improvements
- Part-time Human Resources Coordinator
- Part-time Police Services Representative
To apply, visit www.wheaton.il.us/Jobs.
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A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR SUESS: A First Look at Wheaton's Spring and Summer EventsAs we look ahead to warmer days, our community is already gearing up for another exciting spring and summer filled with events and activities that bring us together. While these may still be a few months away, I’m excited to share a preview of what’s in store. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events: - French Market Opening Day (April 12): A sure sign that spring is here, the French Market returns, offering fresh produce, artisan goods, and unique finds on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Pavilion near Liberty Drive and Main Street.
- Hale Street Tents Return (May 2): Outdoor dining makes its return to downtown Wheaton, creating a lively atmosphere for gathering with friends and family.
- Cream of Wheaton (June 5-8): Kick off summer with four days of live entertainment, food, kids’ activities, a business expo, and more at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave., and downtown Wheaton. Find out more by visiting the Wheaton Park District’s website.
- Wheaton Municipal Band Concerts Return (June 12): The Wheaton Municipal Band kicks off its 2025 summer season at Memorial Park on Thursday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of outstanding music! For more information, visit the Wheaton Municipal Band’s website.
- Memorial Park Concerts Return (June 27): Don’t miss the return of the Wheaton Park District’s Memorial Park Concerts with the first one of the season on Friday, June 27, at 6 p.m. Additional event information, the full summer concert series lineup, and tickets will soon be available at www.memorialparkwheaton.com.
- Field of Honor (June 28-July 4) & Fourth of July Parade (July 4): The Wheaton Park District will once again host these community-favorite July events. The Field of Honor, a moving display of American flags honoring those who have served our country and community, will be on display June 28-July 4 at Seven Gables Park, 1750 S. Naperville Road. The fireworks display will also return on Thursday, July 3 at Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road. The Fourth of July Parade will take place on Friday, July 4, at 10 a.m. Stay tuned for more details.
- Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band at Cantigny (July 12): Don’t miss this special concert supporting local veterans and their families on Saturday, July 12, at Parade Field, 1 S 151 Winfield Road. Gates open at 2 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit Cantigny’s website.
This is just a glimpse of the exciting events ahead, and there’s plenty more to come. As Wheaton gears up for warmer weather, I encourage you to stay connected with the City for updates on the community’s events, happenings, and more by following us on social media (@CityofWheaton) or signing up for our email and text alerts at www.wheaton.il.us/informs.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Calendar- We Are Women Art Exhibit, March 1-31, Downtown Wheaton
- Electronic, Scrap Metal, Textile & More Recycling Event, Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m.-Noon, Public Works Storage Yard, 820 W. Liberty Drive
- Celebrating Women’s History Month Panel Discussion, Thursday, March 20, Doors open at 6 p.m., DuPage County Historical Museum Auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St.
Wheaton Public LibraryRegister for these events at www.wheatonlibrary.org/calendar. Note: In-person events take place at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St. - Women's History: Bertha Palmer, Wednesday, March 12, 7-8 p.m., In-Person & Virtual
- PRC's Annual Career Fair, Thursday, March 13, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., In-Person
- Concert: Classically Celtic, Sunday, March 16, 2-3 p.m., In-Person
- Cooking: Spectacular Spring Cuisine, Tuesday, March 18, 7-8 p.m., In-Person & Virtual
- Women Who Measured the Stars, Wednesday, March 26, 7-8 p.m., In-Person & Virtual
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
- Coffee with Council, Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.
- City Council Meeting, Monday, March 3, 7 p.m.
- City Council Special Meeting, Monday, March 10, 7 p.m.
- City Council Meeting, Monday, March 17, 7 p.m.
- City Council Planning Session, Monday, March 24, 7 p.m.
City Council Meetings and Planning Sessions are held in the Council Chambers at Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St. Coffee with Council takes place in the Gamon Room. Visit www.wheaton.il.us for a complete list of meetings and events. |
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