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 Message from Mayor Goczkowski
The holidays are now behind us, and I hope you’ve hit the ground running in the first week of 2026. If you’re still cleaning up from the season, the City offers ways to sustainably dispose of your holiday trees and lights.
With the new year comes some exciting updates in Des Plaines. Soon, the City will launch an upgraded Utility Billing portal, making it easier than ever to manage your account and pay your bills. More information will be shared as the launch approaches.
Another exciting city update is that a winner has been declared in the resident-named snowplow contest! Scoop Dogg will soon join Clearopathra, Harry Plowter, and Snowy McPlowface in keeping our streets clear all winter long. Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas and voted.
As we continue through January, a reminder that City offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In the meantime, please share this e-news with your family, friends, and neighbors, and encourage them to subscribe. If I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at 847-391-5301 or agoczkowski@desplainesil.gov.
Yours in service,
Andrew Goczkowski
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Holiday Tree & Lights Recycling
Holiday tree recycling continues this week through Friday, January 9, 2026 (weather permitting). Participating residents are asked to remove any decorative materials and place the bare trees at their curb before 7 a.m. on their scheduled pick up date.
If you miss this collection and are an LRS customer, trees will still be picked up by the refuse service through Friday, January 16, 2026 (also weather permitting). After that, bare holiday trees will need to be held until landscape waste collection resumes in April.
Throughout January and February, Des Plaines residents can also safely recycle their holiday lights through weekly collections at the City's Public Works facility. Lights can be dropped off on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1111 Joseph J. Schwab (Campground) Rd. We accept C7 and C9 lights, rope lights, mini-lights, LED lights, and extension cords. Please note that strands still attached to wreaths, garland, or other decorations will not be accepted.
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Upgraded Utility Billing Website Coming Soon
The City of Des Plaines Utility Billing website is getting a major facelift. The new site will feature a modernized design optimized for mobile use, so you can manage your account anytime, anywhere. Paying your bill will also be simpler with a new Quick Pay option. You will be able to complete a payment in seconds without ever logging in, just by entering your account number. These improvements are designed to save you time and make managing your utility account smoother and more convenient than ever.
The upgraded site is coming soon. We’ll share more details as we get closer to launch, including step-by-step instructions for creating your account.
City Offices Closed on January 19
Non-emergency City offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Police and fire services will continue to operate and respond to emergencies during the holiday closures.
Refuse collection will follow its normal schedule during the week.
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2025 Name A Snowplow Contest Winner
The City’s snowplow fleet has a new top dog. Residents of all ages submitted snowplow name ideas at the Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Fair in December. After narrowing the field to seven finalists, Scoop Dogg emerged as the chart-topping choice!
Scoop Dogg will soon be rolling through Des Plaines, joining fellow resident-named snowplows such as Clearopathra, Harry Plowter, and Snowy McPlowface in keeping our streets clear all winter long.
Thank you to everyone who submitted name ideas and voted. Your creativity and participation are essential to this annual tradition.
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Upcoming Meetings and Reminders
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1/9 - Last Day for Public Works Holiday Tree Collection | Weather Permitting
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1/16 - Last Day for Refuse Service Holiday Tree Collection | Weather Permitting
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1/19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day | City Offices Closed; Refuse Collection Unaffected
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1/20 - City Council Meeting | 7 p.m. at Des Plaines City Hall
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2/2 - City Council Meeting | 7 p.m. at Des Plaines City Hall
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2/16 - Presidents' Day | City Offices Closed; Refuse Collection Unaffected
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2/17 - City Council Meeting | 7 p.m. at Des Plaines City Hall
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City of Des Plaines
Phone 847.391.5300 |
1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
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