A healthy-sized crowd including residents, businesses and elected officials attended the 2015 State of the City Address on April 20, 2015, which speaks volumes about the interest in and excitement for West Chicago's recent accomplishments and promising future. I am very grateful for this support.

A complete transcript of the Address may be found on the City's website, www.westchicago.org under Government/Mayor, however the details provided below offer a snapshot of some of the highlights:  

• In February 2014 the City solicited bids for its second term Electricity Aggregation Program and, with direction from the Infrastructure Committee, the City Administrator executed a three-year agreement with First Energy Solutions Corporation for the procurement of electricity at the rate of 6.51 cents per kWh; this rate is one of the best in the Chicagoland area and is anticipated to remain such over the next several years.

• A Healthy West Chicago Community Action Plan was developed from the input of a survey conducted last summer and 11 subsequent community forums held for people who live and work in West Chicago. All the ideas which resulted guided the development of the Action Plan which was then presented to a panel of technical experts who work to support healthy communities. A launch for Healthy West Chicago is planned for Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Blooming Fest.

• City staff applied for and received a grant of services for an upcoming Developer Review Panel to be conducted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Regional Transit Agency (RTA). This panel, which will take place in 2015, will bring in real estate developers from around the region to provide an independent assessment and recommendations for the City concerning future Downtown Redevelopment opportunities. The Developer Review Panel will not cost the City any funding, and will only require City participation (through staff coordination) to complete this effort.

• Another major community collaboration between the City of West Chicago, WeGo Together for Kids and the United Way Metropolitan Chicago resulted in the formation of United Way's first suburban Neighborhood Network model in West Chicago. It also resulted in a fabulous new piece of public art for downtown West Chicago at 103 West Washington Street. 

The City remains committed to the principles of integrity, teamwork, service excellence, personal growth, and innovation. As stated in its 2015 Budget, we will continue to work "to assure a safe, cohesive and dynamic community that is responsive to the needs of both citizens and businesses as it strives for continuous improvement."  

Respectfully,

Ruben Pineda

Mayor of West Chicago  

Help Protect Basic Services and Quality of Life in Our Community

Visit www.ProtectMyTown.com and voice your position

City Services and Resources 

May 4 - 8, 2015

The annual Citywide Collection Event will be offered to those living in a single- or two-family residence on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day during the week of May 4 - 8, 2015. Eight "Universal" stickers must be affixed on the pile of ACCEPTABLE items. All eligible residents are encouraged to do some spring cleaning and take advantage of this annual program. If you would like more information, or if you have questions on acceptability of an item for pickup, please visit www.westchicago.org or contact the event coordinator, Michelle Baldino, at (630) 293-2255.  

DONATION SITES 

Those wishing to donate items they no longer need might find the following resources helpful:

St. Michael's United Church of Christ - Accepts clothing and shoes

REUSE/RECYCLE/DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT

Wayne Township

NEW REFUSE RATES  (7/1/15-6/30/16)

Public Safety Matters 

House numbers are not only convenient for finding addresses but necessary for emergency responders to locate those in need. When responding to an emergency, minutes matter so be sure that fire, ambulance, and police personnel can easily and quickly find your address.

The 2009 International Property Maintenance Code, which the City of West Chicago has adopted, requires that residential buildings be numbered.  It is recommended that all West Chicago residents take a few moments to install house numbers or examine existing house numbers. Be sure that the numbers are easily read from the street. Doing so could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Consider the following:

• Script numbers or numbers that are spelled out in words may be aesthetically pleasing, but are difficult to read quickly from the street.

• Brass or bronze numbers are difficult to see. Use numbers that contrast with the background.

• If the house is located more than 45 feet from the street, the numbers should be displayed on a fence, mailbox, or other appropriate place (as well as on the house) that will make it visible for approaching vehicles.

• Be sure that the view of the numbers is not obstructed by shrubs, trees, or decorations, such as flags.

• Numbers should be clearly seen when approaching from either side of the house.

• If the residence is also served with an alley, the address should also be placed on the rear of the building or garage to properly identify the correct address from the alley.   

Election Results

Unofficial results of the April 7, 2015 consolidated election are as follows:

Newly elected officials will be sworn in for their new term at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 475 Main Street. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and the reception that will follow.

The City wishes to thank retiring Aldermen James Smith and Matt Fuesting for their years of service to the community.

Community Milestone:

Wheaton Academy Celebrates 160 Years

Wheaton Academy's Alumni Chapel Photo courtesy of J. Mark Bade

Wheaton Academy began in 1853 when a group of abolitionists founded Illinois Institute to educate their children. Two years later, they were given permission to form a college. Jonathan Blanchard was called upon to head the school and when he arrived in 1860, Illinois Institute was reorganized into Wheaton College and its preparatory school, Wheaton College Academy.

For 50 years, the college and academy students were closely mingled; it was not until 1915 under Dean William Rice that Wheaton College Academy began to achieve its own identity by acquiring a separate faculty and building, known as Schell Hall on the Wheaton College campus today.

By 1945, Wheaton Academy outgrew that building and moved to its own 25-acre campus on Prince Crossing Road in West Chicago. The new campus provided dormitories for boarding students, while the Aurora & Elgin train line that ran just north of the school was convenient for commuters. By 1951, the faculties of the campus were complete with the construction of LeTourneau Gymnasium and the chapel, which was transported from an army camp.

Though separate in faculty, the College was still financially responsible for Wheaton Academy until 1963. After that, support was gradually decreased until 1970, when the college decided that Wheaton Academy should be closed permanently. Parents and board members, however, were not willing to see the 117-year-old institution die and chose to continue the school themselves. It was renamed Wheaton Christian High School at that time. The first few years of independence were a tough transition, during which time the dormitories were closed and the enrollment suffered.

The school survived, and by the late seventies it was once again thriving. An enrollment of over 300 students and the aged school building called for a new facility, which was realized in the Phase I and II building projects of 1979 and 1983. This is the main school building today. A section of the old building survives, known as Academy Hall, and is used for supplementary classrooms and storage space. After a land purchase in 1988, the campus is now 50 acres.

In 1995, the school returned to the name Wheaton Academy. The name captures both the school's heritage and the school's vision.

City Museum 

Late Night at the Museum

Late Night at the Museum

Exhibits

The City Museum will open two new exhibits at Blooming Fest, on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Be Well: A Dialogue of Health and Wellness through History will explore the notions of health and wellness and how they have changed through time.

Museum visitors will also be able to see the local history exhibit Building Community as it gets a revamp this spring and summer. Stop in and see the changes staff is making to this second floor exhibit, and answer questions about what other displays you would like to see. 

Summer Camp

The City Museum will be offering half-day summer camps again this summer. Children ages 6 through 12 can attend a monthly half-day camp by registering with the City Museum at museum@westchicago.org or (630) 231-3376. Half-day camps will be held on June 15, July 15 and August 12, 2015. Registration is free to resident children or $5 for non-residents. 

Depot Days

The City Museum will have the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 1860s Depot open for Depot Days this summer. Beginning at Blooming Fest, the Depot will be open on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays, June 13, July 11, and August 15, 2015 from noon - 4:00 p.m. Stop in during these days to see some of West Chicago's railroad history - it's FREE. Kids are also invited to make a craft and take part in the hands-on activities that will be taking place at the Depot. 

News from the Cultural Arts Commission

Artéculture, a grass-roots initiative which provides a showcase for the talents of residents or those with a connection through work or school to West Chicago, will be held at the Fox Community Center at 306 Main Street from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on May 16, 2015.

A preview night for Artéculture has also been scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2015 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the same location, and the evening preview event will be supplemented by Local Music Night, an established community music series coordinated by People Made Visible.  Those interested in participating will find all the details and an entry form at www.westchicago.org under Residents/Forms and Applications.The Commission would like to thank the Fox Community Center Board for graciously offering the space for an event that nurtures the creative spirit in our community.

News from Friends

The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum will hold its Summer Tea Fundraiser in collaboration with the West Chicago Historical Society on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Refer to the Friends of the Museum website at www.wegohistory.com for further details regarding the location. The 2015 Tea will feature the Tea Ladies, from Bloomington, Illinois, presenting the fashions of Downton Abbey in their program A Day At An Edwardian Manor-Celebrating Downton Abbey! Tickets can be purchased for $15.00 from the City Museum, 132 Main Street, during open gallery hours, Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4:00 p.m. Ticket includes a tea luncheon. A silent auction will also be held to benefit the two organizations.

The Friends of the Museum group has a new webpage. Check out all the great information about West Chicago history, its Commemorative Ornament Series and offerings at the City Museum, at www.wegohistory.com.

Friday, May 15, 2015, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Fox Community Center - 306 Main Street

ArtShare Saturdays

Saturday, May 23, 2015, Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Marge Hall - Painting Flowers:  Learn from the best. Marge will demonstrate how she can take a simple photograph and reveal details most people never see - truly a bee's eye view, and breathtaking.

Saturday, June 2015, Noon - 4:00 p.m.

To Be Announced - check Gallery 200 website for further details.

Classes

Fridays in June, July & August - must book in advance

First Star Art - Mixed Media

First Star Art will hold classes in Mixed Media: acrylic & watercolor painting, collage, photography, sculpture, and more. Classes will be held Friday afternoons (must book in advance), during June, July and August. The cost is $20 per session (or $50 for three classes booked in advance), with supplies included. Maximum number is three students (ages 6+ with adult accompaniment) per class. Sign up at Gallery 200 or email firststarart@gmail.com 

Friday, May 29, 2015

Britta Renwick - Your Project and Do It Yourself

Complete a project in an evening. Design a necklace or bracelet for yourself or for a gift.

To sign up, email brittarenwick@gmail.com or stop by Gallery 200.