Jan. 2 City E-News: Happy New Year, Active Transportation Plan, Tree Recycling

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Message from Mayor Goczkowski

Happy New Year, Des Plaines! As we welcome the New Year, I want to reflect on our achievements in 2024 and express my heartfelt wishes for a prosperous year ahead to our residents and businesses. This past year has been remarkable for our community. Together, we have made significant progress across all eight of our City's vibrant wards. We have improved infrastructure, increased public safety, and actively pursued economic growth. Throughout this process, we have remained engaged with the community while keeping our city financially stable and on the path to becoming debt-free. In the coming days, we’ll announce a second downtown redevelopment workshop for resident input. As you may remember, on November 20, we held a special City Council meeting that included a presentation from the City’s downtown development team and an opportunity for the public to have their say in how the City approaches our downtown revitalization. Speaking of exciting developments, I joined the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce before the holidays kicked off as we welcomed Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers to Des Plaines. Not only does Raising Cane’s have great food, but it is also known for its significant community engagement program with local schools and non-profits. During the December 16 meeting of the City Council, I was pleased to present a proclamation to Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton showing that the City of Des Plaines has joined the Cook County United Against Hate Coalition. By joining this group of other local units of government, we are showing that Des Plaines is fully committed to standing against hate, discrimination, and violence in all forms. Please keep reading below for information on our next Planning and Zoning Board Workshop, the City’s Active Transportation Plan, the naming of this year’s snowplow, the recycling of holiday trees and lights, and upcoming events. If I did not have the opportunity to speak with you at one of our December holiday events, I hope to see you in early 2025. Until then, feel free to contact me directly at agoczkowski@desplainesil.gov or 847-391-5301. I also encourage you to share this E-News with your family, friends, and neighbors and encourage them to subscribe. Yours in service, Andrew Goczkowski, Mayor

City Council Preview

Planning and Zoning Board Workshop

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) will host a workshop at the Des Plaines Municipal Complex, 1420 Miner St., Room 102, for the proposed Heritage Woods of Des Plaines Supportive Living Facility at 2200 E Golf Road. The developer team will present preliminary concepts, answer questions, and gather feedback. No votes or actions by the PZB will be taken at this meeting.

Des Plaines Supportive Living LLC plans to develop a vacant site into a four-story, 150-unit assisted living facility for seniors with incomes at or below 80% of the median household income. More information about the workshop can be found at desplainesil.gov/workshops.

Active Transportation Plan

We are excited to announce that the City of Des Plaines is updating our Active Transportation Plan to improve safety and enhance connectivity for people walking, bicycling, and rolling across the City. This plan will build on the City’s current bicycle and pedestrian network and improve connections to regional trails and community destinations.

We want to hear from you!  We invite all community members to share their insights through an interactive survey. Visit desplainesil.gov/bikenetwork to access the survey or subscribe to project updates.

We are forming a Community Advisory Group to guide key project stages. The first virtual meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2:30-4 p.m. If you want to join the group or have questions about the plan, contact the Public Works and Engineering Department at engineering@desplainesil.gov.

Welcome Clearopatha!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our snowplow naming contest in December. Watch for ‘Clearopatha’ who will join snowplows ‘Harry Plowter’ and ‘Snowy McPlowface’ this winter. Thanks to those who participated by submitting a name idea. We value your creativity, Des Plaines!

Recycle Your Holiday Tree

The Public Works and Engineering Department is collecting holiday trees throughout the City, weather permitting, starting Monday, January 6, 2025, through Friday, January 10, 2025. Bare holiday trees (no decorations, lights, tinsel, or plastic bags) should be left at the curbside before 7 a.m. on January 6.

If you miss this opportunity and are an LRS customer, they will pick up trees through Friday, January 17, weather permitting. After this time, any bare holiday trees will need to be disposed of in April when landscape waste pick-up begins. Trees frozen to the ground cannot be picked up.

Recycle Holiday Lights

The Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department is hosting a free holiday light recycling event throughout the months of January and February. Lights that will be accepted include C7 and C9 lights, rope lights, mini-lights (icicle lights), LED lights, and extension cords. Bring items between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Wednesdays, to the Public Works facility at 1111 Joseph J. Schwab (Campground) Rd. Any holiday light strands still connected to wreaths, garlands, or other materials cannot be accepted.

Upcoming Meetings and Reminders

• 1/6: Public Works Holiday Tree Collection Begins (weather permitting).
• 1/6: Council Meeting CANCELED
• 1/7: Planning and Zoning Board Workshop 6:30 p.m.
• 1/17: Last day of LRS Holiday Tree collection
• 1/20: Martin Luther King Day. City offices closed.
• 1/21: Council Meeting 7 p.m. (Tuesday Meeting)

Visit desplainesil.gov and check out our calendar to see what’s happening around town.

City of Des Plaines
Phone 847.391.5300

1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016