Wednesday, April 10, 2019

See What’s Happening with Downtown Improvements

Crews are busy at work on Phase 2 of the Downtown Streetscape improvements. Check out this short video with the City’s Engineering Department, which provides an update on what’s happening and what you can expect in the coming weeks.

Wheaton Police Arrest Murder Suspect

On Sunday, April 7, 2019, at 6:24 a.m., the Wheaton Police Department responded to 1340 North Main Street, in response to multiple 911 calls for emergency assistance. Wheaton Police subsequently arrested a suspect at the scene, and he has been charged with first-degree murder. This was an isolated, contained incident, and the Wheaton Police Department appreciates the support and patience the community showed as police and the DuPage County State’s Attorney worked together to ensure the integrity of the investigation and the criminal justice process. More information is available on the City’s website.

French Market Returns April 13

Wheaton’s popular outdoor market kicks off this Saturday in the municipal lot at Main Street and Liberty Drive (just south of the railroad tracks). Visit the French Market between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Saturday to find specialty foods, baked goods, locally grown produce, flowers, handmade gifts, jewelry and much more. Parking is available in the nearby Willow Avenue Garage at Willow and Cross Street.  

Front Street Resurfacing Begins Monday 

City of Wheaton Public Works crews plan to begin resurfacing Front Street between Western and Gary Avenue on Monday, April 15.
 
Front Street from Western and Gary will be closed to all through traffic. Residents will be allowed access. Eastbound traffic will be rerouted to Wesley Street, which will be divided down the center to allow for 2-way traffic.
 
Parking, including metered parking, will be prohibited on Wesley from Western to the mid-block between Gary Avenue and West Street. All Metra traffic will be detoured to Gary Avenue. Thank you for your patience as crews work to improve this portion of Front Street.

Results of Municipal Election

Registered Wheaton voters selected their choices for Wheaton Mayor and two positions on the Wheaton City Council through the April 2 election. The DuPage County Election office stated the individuals receiving the most votes were:

• Wheaton Mayor: Philip Suess
• Wheaton City Council (At-Large positions): Suzanne Fitch, Erica Bray-Parker

All three positions are for 4-year terms beginning on May 6, 2019. To see all election results, visit DuPage County’s website.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Wheaton Police Department urges motorists to drop their phones and drive, or pay up. During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, motorists will see increased patrols and enforcement zones across Illinois throughout the month. The Wheaton Police Department will be ticketing drivers who text or use their cellphones while driving.
 
Texting while driving distracts a driver visually, manually and cognitively. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving blind at 55 miles per hour for the length of an entire football field. Read tips for a safe driving experience on the City’s website.
 

Thank You for a Successful Recycling Extravaganza

Thanks to the efforts of the Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, SCARCE, DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, DuPage County and volunteers, Wheaton held a successful Recycling Extravaganza last Saturday in Commuter Lot 9. See this video of the event. More than 1,000 cars came through this drive-through event and dropped off:

• 9,900 pounds of paint for recycling (1,106 gallons of latex paint, 251 gallons of oil & stains)
• 11.5 large bins full of syringes & Epi Pens
• 10 mercury thermometers, thermostats & barometers 

The City appreciates all of its partners and volunteers who helped keep harmful substances out of landfills and prevented syringes from injuring others or being reused for drugs.

Please Note Road Closures during Fun Run in Color

A number of roads will be temporarily closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday during the Wheaton Park District and Rotary Club of Wheaton’s Fun Run in Color. Please do not move the barricades to ensure the safety of runners and pedestrians. Wheaton Police will be stationed to direct traffic and assist residents in the area. See a map of the closures on the City’s website.

Celebrate Easter, Celebrate Spring this Saturday

The Downtown Wheaton Association invites the community to its annual Celebrate Easter, Celebrate Spring event this Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in Memorial Park. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with the annual Easter Egg Hunt, immediately followed by the Easter Bonnet Contest for children in the bandshell. At 2:30 p.m., enjoy Easter Bunny Train Rides around Memorial Park, and stay for entertainment by Miss Jamie’s Farm at 3 p.m. at the bandshell. For more information, see the Downtown Wheaton Association’s website.

Native Plant Sale Approaching

Grow native with Wheaton’s popular annual plant sale, which will take place on Saturday, April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the City's Public Works Department Facility, 821 W Liberty Drive.

The City of Wheaton, Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, and the Wheaton Park District encourage residents to plant native plants in future landscape projects. Native plants are adapted to the soils and climate of our area. Native plants provide a habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife species, provide an attractive, low maintenance landscape and are beneficial because they do not require irrigation or fertilizer, are resistant to drought and insects, and will not harm or degrade native ecosystems. See information about the plants offered at the sale. 
 

Some City Services Temporarily Relocated

If you’re looking to pay a bill, purchase yard waste stickers, obtain real estate transfer tax stamps or seek any other service at City Hall that takes place at the Finance counter, please note a new temporary location within City Hall. These services are located on the second floor of City Hall in the Gamon Room while crews renovate a portion of City Hall. You can take the elevator or stairs up to the second floor of City Hall for these services.

Please note that you can also drop off City bills using the drive-through mailbox just west of City Hall. The entrance to reach this mailbox is from Wesley Street. This is for City business only; the City will not accept U.S. mail in this mailbox.

You can also take advantage of online payment options, including paying parking tickets, water/sewer bills and other City bills using the City’s website at www.wheaton.il.us/billpay.

City of Wheaton Videos

Upcoming Meetings

Liquor Control Commission Meeting

City Council Meeting

Library Board Meeting

Historic Commission Meeting