FEATURED NEWS

Register for Light Up Wheaton Holiday Decorating Contest

Show off your home's holiday spirit for the 6th annual Light Up Wheaton holiday decorating contest. The City of Wheaton has once again teamed with the Wheaton Park District to present this free, friendly community competition.

Registration is open now through Thursday, Dec. 11. For more information and to register, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/LightUpWheaton.

Awards will be given in three categories: Most Creative, Mayor’s Choice, and People’s Choice. For the Most Creative and Mayor’s Choice categories, judges will observe houses from 6-9 p.m., Dec. 12-17. Photos of entries shared on the City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District Facebook pages will be voted on by the public for the People’s Choice award. Showcase your most fun and creative outdoor displays as we brighten the season together.

Thank You for Celebrating the Holiday Season in Wheaton

Thank you to the Downtown Wheaton Association, parade participants, residents, and the entire community for helping make the Nov. 28 Adams Park Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Parade, and Christmas Tree Lighting truly special. The festive lights, parade floats, and shared holiday spirit made for a joyful start to the season.

Wheaton Police Offer Vacation House Watch Service

Taking a vacation this holiday season? Vacation House Watch is a police service that helps protect unoccupied homes while Wheaton residents are away on business or travel. Police will inspect homes periodically to help ensure their security. To enroll, complete the online form on the City's website.

Gary Avenue Improvement Project Update: Gary Avenue Open to Two-Way Traffic from Harrison to Jewell Road

The contractor for the Gary Avenue Improvement Project has reopened Gary Avenue to two-way traffic between Harrison Avenue and Jewell Road.

While the roadway is open to vehicles, crews will continue completing the remaining elements of the project as weather permits, including installing the new traffic signal at Prairie Avenue. During daytime work hours, flaggers will guide motorists safely around active construction, and residents may want to use the designated detour to avoid minor delays. Please use caution when driving in the work zone.

Landscape restoration will be completed in the spring when weather conditions allow for this work. Thank you for your patience as crews work to complete these important infrastructure improvements.

Keep Your Holidays Bright: Online Shopping Safety Tips

Many turn to online shopping during the holidays, so it’s important to be on the lookout for cyberscams and fraud this time of year. December is recognized by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) as Holiday Safety Month, making it a good time to review safe shopping practices. Take a look at some of the cybersecurity tips below:

• Verify Before You Click: Cybercriminals often use fake ads, account warnings, and shipping notifications to trick shoppers into clicking malicious links. If you receive a suspicious notice or an enticing offer, do not immediately click the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify that the offer is legitimate.
• Watch Out for Fraudulent Merchants: Fake e-commerce sites are a common tool for cyber thieves. Before making a purchase, read reviews to see what other customers say about the merchant. Check for a physical location and customer service contact information.
• Protect Your Personal Information: Pay attention to the information requested during checkout. If a site asks for more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. Only fill out the required fields and avoid saving your payment information in your online profile.

OTHER NEWS

Yard Waste Pickup Ends Week of Dec. 8

During the week of Dec. 8, on your regular pickup day, LRS will make its final collection of yard waste, food scraps, and organic materials for the season.

Wheaton Implements New Towing Ordinance for Unpaid Parking Tickets

Vehicles with five or more unpaid parking tickets in the City of Wheaton may now be towed under a new ordinance approved by the Wheaton City Council. The ordinance addresses chronic parking violators whose repeated offenses have made it harder to navigate residential streets and find parking in downtown Wheaton.

Key aspects of the ordinance:

• This ordinance only applies to unpaid parking tickets. 
• Tickets are issued to a vehicle using its license plate. A vehicle is eligible to be towed once it has accrued 5 unpaid parking tickets. 
• Once a vehicle is eligible to be towed, it will be stickered and a notice will be sent to the registered owner.
• The vehicle owner has 7 days to pay all outstanding fines, or the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense without further notice.

How to Check Whether You Have Unpaid Parking Tickets:

The City encourages drivers to check whether they have outstanding parking tickets. You can look up unpaid parking tickets by entering a license plate into both of the City’s parking systems (one is for downtown parking; the other covers the rest of the city).

• Parking Citation link (tickets issued in the downtown)

AND 

• Violation link (tickets issued outside of the downtown or City lots)

For more information about this ordinance, including frequently asked questions, see the City’s website.

Employment Opportunities

The City of Wheaton has the following employment opportunities available: 

• Electrical Services Manager
• Emergency Management Coordinator 
• Part-time Community Service Officer
• Wheaton Police Officers - Lateral

To apply, visit www.wheaton.il.us/Jobs.

Celebrating the Holidays in Wheaton

During the holiday season, Wheaton comes alive as neighbors, friends, and families gather to celebrate. From festive lights to community gatherings, this time of year highlights what makes our city such a special place. Over the coming weeks, there are many opportunities to join in the festivities and experience the joy of our community together.

This year’s holiday season kicked off on Friday, Nov. 28, as the Downtown Wheaton Association and the City welcomed residents to an evening of holiday celebrations. From the Adams Park Lighting Ceremony to the Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting, these traditions continue to bring joy to residents of all ages. Nights of Lights in Adams Park and the downtown Christmas tree will continue to delight our city from 4-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 4.

The Downtown Wheaton Association has additional holiday offerings planned — on Dec. 6, 13, and 20, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting visitors at the “W” tent on Main Street. Children are also invited to take part in Letters to Santa, where they can write their holiday wishes in a letter and drop it in Santa’s mailbox at the “W” Tent. Visit the DWA’s website to discover even more downtown events.

The holiday spirit reaches all corners of the community as the City and Wheaton Park District have teamed up for the annual Light Up Wheaton holiday decorating contest. This friendly competition highlights the creativity of homes, businesses, and community organizations across Wheaton. Residents are invited to register and showcase their imaginative outdoor décor in what has become one of the community’s most beloved holiday traditions. Register online at wheatonparkdistrict.com/LightUpWheaton by Thursday, Dec. 11.

In addition, the Festival of Lights & Tree Sale at Cosley Zoo offers a magical backdrop for winter outings, complete with thousands of sparkling lights and a selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery. More winter programs can be found on the Wheaton Park District’s website.

Thank you to all who contribute to making Wheaton a welcoming and vibrant community, especially during the holiday season. Your participation, engagement, and enthusiasm are what make our city truly exceptional. On behalf of the City of Wheaton, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Calendar

• Festival of Lights & Tree Sale, Now-Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave.
• Nights of Lights, Now-Jan. 4, Lit from 4-10 p.m., Adams Park, located near Main Street & Wesley Street next to the Wheaton Public Library
• Downtown Wheaton Christmas Tree, Now-Jan. 4, Lit from 4-10 p.m., Downtown Pavilion, located on Liberty Drive near Main Street
• Santa’s Craft Corner, Dec. 6 & 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave.
• Santa & Mrs. Claus at the “W” Tent, Dec. 6 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), Dec. 13 (2-4 p.m.), and Dec. 20 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), “W” Tent, located on Front Street just west of Main Street
• Electronic, Scrap Metal, Textile & More Recycling Event, Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-Noon, Public Works Storage Yard, 820 W. Liberty Drive

  
  

Wheaton Public Library

Register for these events at www.wheatonlibrary.org/calendar. Note: In-person events take place at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St.

• Living History: Jane Austen, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7-8 p.m., In-Person & Virtual
• Concert: Random Ringers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2-3 p.m., In-Person
• Miracles on Roosevelt Road, Monday, Dec. 8, 7-8 p.m., In-Person & Virtual
• German Holiday Traditions, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m., Virtual
• Gingerbread Extravaganza, Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., In-Person

  
  

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

• City Council Meeting, Monday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
• Coffee with Council, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.
• Budget Public Hearing & City Council Planning Session, Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, Monday, Dec. 15, 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 City Hall Gamon Room. Visit www.wheaton.il.us for a complete list of meetings and events.