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Message from Mayor Andrew Goczkowski
 I hope you and your families had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This year, I’m so grateful that we were able to gather with family and friends to kick off the holidays. Being with loved ones helped to make the celebrations bright.
I’m also immensely grateful for our community’s giving spirit. We’ve received so many wonderful donations for the asylum seekers who are temporarily residing in our City. Hundreds of items like school supplies, coats, hats, and personal care items have been donated to those families in need. Thank you, Des Plaines!
Additional donation opportunities to benefit our entire community are available this Friday at our Tree Lighting ceremony. The Self Help Closet and Pantry will be accepting donations of nonperishables. We’ll also be collecting winter hats and gloves for our 'Mitten Tree'.
I hope you and your families will join us in Metropolitan Square this weekend. Friday evening's Tree Lighting ceremony will feature local entertainment, a visit from Santa and we’ll cap off the event with the official tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. We’ll be continuing the festivities on Saturday with our new “Winter Fair in the Square.” Come by Metro Square for entertainment, food trucks, trolley tours, and holiday shopping at our artisan market.
As always, feel free to contact me directly at agoczkowski@desplaines.org or 847-391-5301. Please share this E-News with your family, friends and neighbors and encourage them to subscribe.
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City Council Preview
Council will meet on Monday. Here are some noteworthy items on the agenda:
- The Council will vote to approve the 2023 annual budget. The budget provides the spending authority for all City departments and is the basis for virtually every City activity during that fiscal year. The 2023 budget builds on many years of discipline, sound financial planning and a focus on optimizing resources and maximizing efficiencies.
- A resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Des Plaines Library Board for a short-term loan will be considered. The City and the Library are dependent on Cook County for ensuring the timely distribution of property tax funds. Given the significant delay in the second installment of property tax revenue, the Des Plaines Public Library has requested a loan for the 2023 fiscal year, not to exceed $1 million, to cover operational costs.
- A resolution to authorize the purchase of thirty-seven properties as part of Phase 5 of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This buyout program is in partnership with IDNR and MWRD where the city provides matching funds to those awarded through the grant program. These flood-prone parcels will be converted to open spaces.
Council will meet on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Read the agenda here for more details. And, watch the livestream here.
Cook County Property Tax Bills
Cook County property tax bills (typically mailed in August) are now available online. Paper copies of bills should arrive in mailboxes soon. Payments are due December 30. Visit the Cook County Treasurer’s website to access your bill. You will need to enter your address or PIN in order to view and download your bill. Contact the Cook County Treasurer’s office with questions, 312-443-5100.
Join Us This Weekend
The City of Des Plaines is planning a festive weekend full of fun. Kick off your holiday season in Metropolitan Square. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday evening. And our new event, Winter Fair in the Square, will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. See the full schedule of events and learn more at desplaines.org/holidaylighting.
Holiday Decorating Safety
With the holidays around the corner, everyone seems to be getting in the spirit. It’s fun to deck the halls, but holiday decorations can increase your risk of a home fire. Follow these tips to be fire smart.
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Welcome New Businesses
- Bare Moxie LLC
- Brite Smiles
- Callero & Callero LP
- Centurion Hospice & Palliative Care
- Delta Home Healthcare
- Lamassu Palace Co
- Maddie's Bra Fitting
- Seniorcare Services dba Elara Caring ll
- Think Recruiting LLC
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Mayor Goczkowski at the Bare Moxie Ribbon Cutting earlier this month.
December Meetings & Reminders
- 12/2 Holiday Tree Lighting, Metropolitan Square
- 12/3 Winter Fair in the Square, Metropolitan Square
- 12/5 Council Meeting 7 p.m.
- 12/19 Council Meeting 7 p.m.
- 12/26 Christmas Observed. City offices closed. One-day delay for refuse collection.
- 1/2 New Year’s Day Observed. City offices closed. One-day delay for refuse collection.
Visit desplaines.org and check out our calendar to see what’s happening at the City and around town.
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City of Des Plaines
Phone 847.391.5300 |
1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
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