WINDOW TO WEST CHICAGO
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A Frosty Tradition
One of the community's favorite places to gather, downtown West Chicago, takes on a special glow the first Saturday of December each year. That's the night parents bundle-up their children to enjoy a magical evening under the twinkling lights and watchful eye of Santa Claus during Frosty Fest, West Chicago's annual celebration ushering in winter and the holiday season. 

The frosty tradition is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2015 this year and begins with a procession down Main Street at 4:00 p.m. followed by a spectacular tree lighting at the Fox Community Center at 4:30 p.m. and an evening filled with activities including holiday crafts, live reindeer and the sound of jingle bells while riding on a horse-drawn trolley through the luminaria-lit historic district, and a model train exhibit through 7:00 p.m.

Live performances by hometown groups like the Community High School choir, the First United Methodist Church singers and more, warm hearts and spread cheer through songs of the season. An interactive map is available at www.westchicago.org will help you navigate the evening so you don't miss a thing.
 
One of the high points of the event is the involvement of youngsters in grades 1 - 6 through an annual essay contest which is open to all students. This year's theme, If Frosty was the mayor of West Chicago, what would he do to make the city an even better place for everyone? It was chosen to engage children in thinking about and offering ideas for the future of West Chicago in conjunction with the City's current strategic planning initiative.

The winning students, one in each of the designated grade categories, will enjoy a classroom visit by Mayor Pineda, a ride with him in a horse-drawn carriage during the Frosty Fest procession and the opportunity to help him light the official holiday tree that evening. 
 
There is still time to enter.
 
Entries may be part of a classroom assignment or a home-based writing project. All entries must be received on or before November 18, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to City Hall, 475 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185, Attention: Rosemary Mackey.

*For a complete schedule of activities, including a Library Open House and Frosty 5K and Chilly 1 Mile Walk earlier that day, visit www.westchicago.org.



Nov 1 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
Nov 6 - Gallery 200 Artist Reception
Nov 20 - Historiography
Nov 26 & 27 - City Hall Closed
Dec 4 - Gallery 200 Artist Reception
Dec 5 - Frosty Fest
Dec 18 - Historiography
Dec 12 - *Coffee with the Mayor
Dec 24 & 25 - City Hall Closed
 
*Please note, Coffee with the Mayor is cancelled in November, and rescheduled in December.
The City of West Chicago would like to thank Joe Kramer and his team at Kramer Tree Specialists for donating decorations and installing them on the downtown Christmas tree each year. Don't miss the grand tree lighting which takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 4:30 p.m., and if you see Joe in the crowd, be sure to say thanks for his generosity to the community.

Nov. 2 - Stories to Grow On
Nov. 3 - Wiggle Worms
Nov. 5 - LEGO Movie Makers Edition
Nov. 6 - Movie Mania (Big Hero 6)
Nov. 8 - Chess Club
Nov. 9 - Stories to Grow On
Nov. 10 - Wiggle Worms
Nov. 12 - Milk & Cookies Storytime at Panera Bread Co.
Nov. 12 - Monarch Club
Nov. 14 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid & Big Nate Mash-Up
Nov. 15 - LEGO Brick Party
Nov. 16 - Stories to Grow On
Nov. 17 - Wiggle Worms
Nov. 20 - Munchkins in Motion
Nov. 24 - Wiggle Worms
Nov. 30 - Stories to Grow On
Dec. 1 - Wiggle Worms
Dec. 10 - Monarch Club
Dec. 13 - Jedi Training
  
For details, visit: www.westchicago.lib.il.us
or call (630) 231-1552.
  
Nov 11-13 - Community Theatre - School House Rock Live JR!  
Dec 5 - Snowflake Showcase Dance Recital
Dec 9 - Santa is Calling
Dec 19 - The Polar Express
Dec 21-23 & 28-30 - Winter Break Camp

For details, visit:
(630) 231-9474. 
 
 

Message from the Mayor

 
Since the kick-off of the process involved to complete the West Chicago Strategic Plan in April, we have engaged hundreds of residents and stakeholders from the community and asked them to share their vision for West Chicago.
 
Forums, interviews, and roundtables were held throughout the spring and summer with a wide range of participants including students, residents, religious leaders, realtors, developers, business owners, homeowners associations, Hispanic leaders, homeschooling families, elected officials, appointed officials, not-for-profit representatives, people from other taxing bodies, community organizations, and more.
 
Heading into November, the project is more than halfway complete. Last month, the consultant presented a summary of all outreach findings to both the Plan's Advisory Committee as well as the City Council. Common themes included community identity and reputation, downtown redevelopment, diversity, community leadership, economic growth, and more. A draft plan will be released later this year for review by the public and City Council.
 
Residents are encouraged to stay involved by visiting the project website for updates and submitting a questionnaire and/or making a map of the community using the sMap tool.

Upon its completion, the West Chicago Strategic Plan will contain a clear vision statement, a set of guiding principles, community goals and objectives, and an implementation strategy. It is expected to be complete by the end of January 2016.
 
The future looks bright. Together we will lead West Chicago into a new year of promise.
 
Happy holidays to all,
Mayor Ruben Pineda 

City Services

HOLIDAY LIGHT RECYCLING
Free holiday light recycling is offered to local residents and businesses through the West Chicago Environmental Commission from November 24, 2015 - January 22, 2016. Strands of incandescent and LED holiday lights, and household extension cords in any condition may be dropped off at the locations listed below during normal business hours.
 
Drop-off Locations (subject to change)
  • Murphy Ace Hardware, 319 South Neltnor Boulevard
  • First United Methodist Church, 643 East Washington Street
  • West Chicago Public Library, 118 West Washington Street
  • West Chicago City Hall, 475 Main Street
  • West Chicago Water Treatment Plant, 1400 West Hawthorne Lane  
The lights and cords will be collected by Elgin Recycling (www.elginrecycling.com), stripped and recycled for their copper and plastic parts.

SEASONAL LEAF COLLECTION
Residents may dispose of an unlimited quantity of leaves for a five (5) week period in October/November beginning October 26th through November 28th on your regularly scheduled garbage pick up day. (Please note that due to the Thanksgiving Holiday on November 26th, Thursday service day will be on Friday, and Friday service day will be on Saturday). No stickers are required for leaves; however, no other yard waste may be mixed in with leaves. All leaves may be placed in a "Kraft" yard waste bag that does not exceed 50 pounds when full.
  
YARDWASTE
Just as a reminder, yard waste collection will end for the season at the end of November and will resume in April.
  
CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP
Garbage collection for Christmas trees will take place during the weeks of January 4, 2016 and January 11, 2016, on regularly scheduled garbage pickup days. Trees must be free of all tinsel, garland and ornaments. No stickers are required during this period.
  
PARKING DURING SNOW
City ordinance imposes a parking ban on all streets after a two-inch snowfall until such time as the street has been completely plowed curb to curb. For more information on the City's snow plowing policy, please visit www.westchicago.org. Also, please remember that it is illegal to plow or shovel snow from driveways or sidewalks into the street.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on the family budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities must be cut. LIHEAP assists eligible households with paying for winter heating services. Eligible households are determined by household size, income, geographical location, and type of fuel used. DuPage County residents may call (630) 407-6500 (or toll free at 1-800-942-9412) to make an appointment with DuPage County Services, 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. If you are a homebound senior citizen or disabled, a LIHEAP staff person can come to your home and take your application.

RECYCLE VEGETABLE OIL
Just in time for those who choose to deep fry their Thanksgiving turkeys, Winfield Township is hosting a used vegetable oil recycling event on Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. Located at 30W575 Roosevelt Road, Winfield Township will accept the used cooking oil (animal fat is not accepted) when brought in a plastic container for this event. The Township also collects used cooking oil on Mondays (except holidays) from 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. For more information, contact the Township office at (630) 231-8850 or visit the website at www.winfiedtownship.com.

Community High School Distinguished Alumnus
Ray Stejskal (aka US 99.5's Ramblin' Ray)

Mayor Ruben Pineda (left) and Community High School Distinguished Alumnus, Ray Stejskal (aka Ramblin' Ray of US 99.5).

Photo and article courtesy of D94.
Alumni and community members were welcomed to West Chicago Community High School on October 1, 2015 to honor Ray Stejskal (aka Ramblin' Ray of US 99.5 country radio), class of 1982, as he received the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award. Mayor Ruben Pineda was on hand to congratulate Ray during the evening event.
 
Ray was honored in the Community Service category, not only for his work as an award-winning radio host, but also for the way he uses his celebrity status to raise funds and serve on the boards of charities such as St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. He is also active with the Illinois Crime Commission, and hosts a weekly world-wide radio show called "Serving Your Country" - the first ever radio show completely dedicated to delivering news, stories, requests, tributes and music to America's men and women in uniform. As a result, the Marines awarded Ray their highest civilian honor, the Semper Fi Award.
 
Ray met staff and students in hallways, classrooms, and the auditorium. He toured the school to see what had changed since he graduated, including the new Student Activity Center and College & Career Center. His message all day to students was "Pursue your interests. Never give up. Work hard and things will happen for you".


Volunteer Heide Morris,
Champion of the Arts
Cultural Arts

Community Champion of the Arts
Successful cities have volunteer champions in many aspects of community life. One such champion, Heide Morris, has been elevating the reputation of the arts in West Chicago, and was recognized for her efforts through a Proclamation by Mayor Ruben Pineda on Monday, October 19, 2015. Morris, a retired West Chicago School District 33 art teacher and a proficient paint and fiber artist, has nurtured the arts and humanities in West Chicago through her professional career, and continues to do so now as a volunteer. Read more.

City Museum 
132 Main Street - (630) 231-3376 
Open Wednesday through Saturday
Noon to 4:00 p.m. 

Exhibits

Be Well: Dialogues of Health and Wellness Through History
Building Community: The History of West Chicago

Historiography Book Group

November 20, 2015 - 12:00 p.m.
City Museum
Book: The Barbary Plague: The Black Death in Victorian San Francisco
Author: Marilyn Chase
 
December 18, 2015 - 12:00 p.m.
City Museum
Book: Christmas in America: A History
Author: Penne L. Restad

During the December Historiography meeting, Museum staff invites members of the public, including those who haven't read the book, to stop in and share their memories and pictures about Christmas traditions and celebrations in West Chicago. This sharing event is part of the Voices of DuPage, oral history initiative being led by the West Chicago City Museum.
Gallery 200
200 Main Street - (630) 293-9550  
Gallery 200/STUDIO
203 Turner Court - (630) 293-9550

Featured Artists
 
Fused 4 U: A Touch of Glass
November 2015: Fused 4 U: A Touch of Glass 
Fabulous glass designs from three great glass artists: Sue Tripp, Kathe Moses, and Mindy Milan. Opening Reception: Friday, November 6, 2015.
 
December 2015: Frosty Fest & Wonderful and Wearable Art
Shop for the holidays with many favorite Gallery 200 fiber and jewelry artists. Opening  Reception: December 4, 2015.
 
Please visit the Gallery 200 website or Facebook page for more details.

Business News
 
There have been a number of "marketplace milestones" to celebrate in the business community recently.

 
West Chicago Park District Project Receives National Recognition
 
A photograph of the West Chicago ARC Center was chosen by a national flooring magazine to be showcased on its cover as a result of the project's contractor winning the Starnet Design Awards Gold in Hospitality/Public Space for the work done at the Center.  The article, which focuses procedures involved before, during and after doing business with government entities, may be read in its entirety in The Flooring Contractor.



   
 
New Business Ribbon-cutting: Avian USA Machinery LLC
 
There was cause for celebration at 1901 Powis Court in West Chicago last month when the ribbon was cut for a new member of the city's business community.  Avian USA Machinery LLC, part of Avian Granulator Group is a world class manufacturer of size reduction machinery for the plastic, rubber and recycling industry, will include West Chicago as one of its global hubs.

Celebrating 35 Years in Business: Casa Rios Bridal Boutique
Emma Rios remembers the very first dress she made for a customer, a lady who worked at the Post Office when it was on Main Street. "She described the dress to me and asked me if I needed a pattern. She was surprised that I was able to make it only from her description and details about her fabric choice", she reminisced. Casa Rios Bridal Boutique, has survived the test of time, and Emma and her husband Onesimo recently celebrated 35-years in business. To read more about the retail milestone, visit www.westchicago.org.
  
The following businesses will be honored at the City Council meeting of Monday, November 16, 2015.

Small Business of the Year: Supermercado Tampico
One word came up frequently in the nomination process for Supermercado Tampico - quality. Residents referenced the high quality selection of the market's fresh meats and produce; and the friendliness, helpfulness and care its quality staff provides. This family-owned business contributes to the overall quality of downtown West Chicago by taking extra effort to beautify the east gateway to West Chicago's downtown through seasonal gardens and gorgeous flowering pots.  

Community Image Award: Egg Yolk Café
Egg Yolk Café has developed a strong and loyal following since opening, no doubt due to the great variety of fresh, high quality dishes and friendly, helpful service. Its building's exterior provides a terrific first impression to the countless cars that navigate Illinois Route 59; and once people enter the refurbished, beautifully redecorated interior, they know they have chosen the right place to dine.

Community Service Award: Illinois Aviation Academy
Illinois Aviation Academy came to the attention of award judges through an article written for the Chicago Tribune on July 21, 2015, and a related story seen on WGN-TV.com on July 27, 2015, about its one-of-a-kind program, Tuskegee Next Academy. Its goal to train and support 100 African American and minority Chicago-area youth in obtaining their pilots license by the year 2015, is inspiring. Learning something as challenging and exciting as air flight, empowers youth to dream big and reach goals.

Economic Development Award: Rite-Way Automotive
Vince Malina's investments in the property building at 101 West Washington Street, which include a remodeled showroom and waiting area, high tech equipment and renovated auto bays; as well as exterior beautification and signage, has rewarded the business with a steady stream of satisfied customers and the community with an overall boost to the prominent corner. As his business continues to gain traction with new customers, Malina's investment in the community continues to grow also. His insight as a committee member for several events drives development of fresh ideas which, in turn, lead to further exposure for the downtown business district.
Outstanding Not-for-Profit: St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store
Another resident favorite, St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store received many nominations from its loyal customer base. Among the reasons cited were friendly staff, great product selection and prices, and a welcoming atmosphere which encourages community gathering and social interaction.

Spark of Brilliance
The City would like to thank the following past Brilliance in Business Award winners who generously donated a gift for a random drawing of individuals who took the time to nominate a favorite business this year. The intention of this additional element was to spark engagement with the consumer and reinforce their connections to a favorite business. The donated  gifts were very well received and succeeded in gaining increased awareness and involvement in Brilliance in Business Awards.
 
Ball Horticultural
Casa Rios Bridal Boutique
Changarro Cucina
Daniel & Associates Realty
Extra Value Liquors
FNBC Bank
Kramer Tree Specialists
Main Street Family Dentistry
ProPak Industries
WeGrow Dreams


Important

Numbers 

City Council

Wards 1 - 3 

City Council

Wards 4 - 7 

Fire Administration
(630) 231-2123
Fire Emergency
911
  
Police Administration
(630) 293-2222
Police Response
911
  
City Administration
City Hall
(630) 293-2200
  
Ruben Pineda
Mayor
  
Nancy Smith
City Clerk
  
Michael Guttman
City Administrator 
Ward 1 
Lori Chassee (630) 231-8709 
James Beifuss (630) 231-0584
  
Ward 2 
Don Earley (630) 231-3060
Jayme Sheahan (630) 330-7972
 
Ward 3
Laura Grodoski  (312) 925-9241 
Alton Hallett (630) 254-7112 

 

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Ward 4 
Sandy Dimas (630) 293-5170
Melissa Birch     (630) 621-0128
  
Ward 5 
Kurt Meissner   (630) 231-9302 
John C. Smith, Jr. (630) 293-3802
  
Ward 6 
Rebecca Stout   (630) 293-7335 
Mark Edwalds    (630) 632-6670
  
Ward 7 
John Banas (630) 762-9762
Noreen Ligino-Kubinski 
(630) 762-9929 


City of West Chicago | 630.293-2200   rmackey@westchicago.org | www.westchicago.org

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