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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - September 2024 |
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Volunteers assembled to test new website ahead of fall launch
This testing phase follows extensive community feedback collected through Zoom webinars and public meetings over the past year. User feedback has been crucial as we prepare to launch the new site. Thank you for helping us improve our website! No more volunteers are needed at this time.
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Fire Department to hold annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The St. Charles Fire Department will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 11, at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, located at 2 E. Main Street. All are welcome to attend the ceremony, which will include posting the Fire Department Memorial Flag, placement of a memorial wreath, and a moment of silence.
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Concept plan for Charles Farm residential development submitted
Initial Sept. 4 discussion aimed at gathering feedback for developer
A concept plan application that proposes annexing a large area of unincorporated property west of St. Charles for development has been submitted by residential home-construction company Pulte Home Company, LLC.
A presentation on the concept plan is scheduled for the Sept. 4 Plan Commission meeting as an initial discussion only. This is not a request for any action to annex property or approve a project. No votes or final actions will be taken.
For large plans such as this, the City will encourage developers to present a concept plan to the Plan Commission early in the process as an opportunity to start discussions, hear from the community, and provide feedback to the developer. The developer uses this input to decide whether to proceed with or modify a project.
The Plan Commission is comprised of volunteers from the community. It is an advisory board to the City Council on rezoning, special use, and new developments.
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The 2023 annual reports for the St. Charles Police and Fire departments highlight incident statistics and trends, extensive training programs, safety measures, and public education initiatives. Want to know the total number of service calls fielded by the Fire Department? Curious about which St. Charles roads saw the most vehicle accidents? You can find these details and more in the annual reports:
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The St. Charles Fire Department is hosting an Open House from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Fire Station No. 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave. The free, family-friendly event will offer the public an opportunity to interact with firefighters and paramedics, while learning about fire safety. The open house will features activities for children, special rescue demonstrations, community vendor booths, informational displays and refreshments.
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Fire Safety: Did You know?
Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The leading factor in home cooking fires was unattended equipment. Learn more about how to prevent cooking fires at home and what to do if one starts.
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K-9 Unit reports for duty at Everbrook Academy
Meet Officer Charlie, the charming therapy dog from the St. Charles Police Department’s K-9 Unit. Charlie plays a vital role in offering support and comfort to victims and officers during crisis situations. He also can be seen out in the community engaging with residents. Charlie and his handler, Officer Meghan Kramer, recently visited Everbrook Academy to teach kids about law enforcement and public safety.
>> Watch the video on YouTube.
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Training day: Inside an active shooter rapid response simulation
Over the summer, the City’s police and fire departments, SWAT teams, Tri-Com dispatchers, Delnor hospital staff, and School District 303 personnel and volunteers came together at Thompson Middle School for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), or "active shooter rapid response" training. Check out this simulation video from a training day – it’s intense, but rest assured, it’s just practice to keep everyone prepared, safe and ready to respond in any situation.
>> Watch the video on YouTube. (WARNING: The footage in the video is entirely simulated and does NOT depict real events.)
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 »The City's Brush Pickup program continues through November. Please place your branches out by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your designated pickup week. Keep in mind that it may take the entire week to complete the pickup.
Secure your property: Affordable flood insurance for residents
Considering flood insurance? Because the City is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), St. Charles residents can purchase coverage through local agents, with a 30-day waiting period for activation. Even if your home isn’t in a flood zone, flood insurance is available at a reduced rate due to the City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rating, which lowers premiums by 25%. For details, contact the Public Works Engineering Division at 630.377.4405.
Roadway updates: Kautz Road detours
Beginning the second week of September and running through the end of October, northbound traffic on Kautz Road will be temporarily closed as part of the Kautz Road Reconstruction and Widening Project — a joint venture between the cities of Geneva and St. Charles. During this time, traffic will be limited to only southbound travel between Commerce Drive and Averill Road. Once this work is completed, the closure will be reversed with only northbound traffic allowed. Visit the City of Geneva's project website page for up-to-date information.
Riverside Lift Station ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Sept. 16
Join the City of St. Charles for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Riverside Lift Station at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Riverside Avenue (IL Rt. 25) and Devereaux Way in St. Charles. The event will begin with a brief outdoor ceremony, followed by guided tours of the new facility. The new station replaces the old one, some parts of which date back to the 1920s.
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Sanitary and sewer main project begins Sept. 4
Prairie Street road
and lane closures necessary
The City is installing new water and sanitary sewer mains on Prairie Street from Randall Road to South 13th Street as part of the Prairie Street Water Main Replacement and Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project. Work is expected to begin Sept. 4 and will be completed by Nov. 30.
Underground construction is needed to complete the utility project and will require road and lane closures on Prairie Street, near Randall Road. Impacted residents and businesses have received notification, and all businesses within the construction zone will be accessible during the project. Signage will be posted to alert drivers of detours and changing traffic patterns.
Road and Lane Closures
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Sept. 4-20: Prairie Street at the east side of the Randall Road intersection will be closed to traffic (weather permitting) as underground work is completed. A marked detour will be in place.
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Sept. 20-Nov. 1: Prairie Street will be reduced to one lane to accommodate removal of sections of the roadway, driveway approaches, curb, and sidewalks.
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Nov. 1-30: Replacement of curb, sidewalks, aprons, roadways, and landscape restoration will take place. Signage will be installed to alert to changing traffic patterns.
Visit the City’s website at stcharlesil.gov/projects to stay updated on road closures, traffic detours and the project’s progress and timeline.
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Police clinch first place in Battle of the Badges tournament!
 » Congratulations to the St. Charles Police Department softball team for their first-place victory in the fourth annual Battle of the Badges tournament! After five hard-fought games, St. Charles ended the Aurora Police Department's two-year winning streak with a decisive 11-6 victory in the final match. Even better, more than $3,200 was raised for Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics!
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*CORRECTION: Offices closed Labor Day; meetings moved to Tuesday, *Sept. 3
City offices are closed Monday, *Sept. 2, for Labor Day. Also, please note that the public meetings normally scheduled for Monday are moved to Tuesday, *Sept. 3, due to the holiday. Note that refuse collection will be delayed by one day.
This month's schedule is as follows:
 »All are welcome to attend meetings in person, join via Zoom, or watch the recorded session on YouTube afterward.
Nomination packets for April 2025 election ready for pickup
Nomination packets for the 2025 Consolidated Election are available for pickup at the Reception Desk in the St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main Street, during normal operating hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). The completed nomination packets must be filed between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, 2024. All forms are due to the City Clerk’s office, 2 E. Main Street, St. Charles, no later than 5 p.m. Nov 18, 2024. The 2025 Consolidated Election will be held on April 1, 2025. For election questions, visit the Kane County Clerk website.
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Volunteers for Scarecrow Weekend 3-day event needed!
The St. Charles Business Alliance is seeking volunteers for Scarecrow Weekend from Oct. 11-13 in downtown St. Charles. Volunteers are needed for information booths in Lincoln Park and the Municipal Building, and for supervising the Activity Zone on Riverside Avenue. All volunteers will receive an exclusive "Boo Crew" T-shirt to wear during
the event. Sign up!
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3rd Ward Resident Meeting
Connect with Aldermen Lencioni and Gehm on Sept. 18
Join Alderman Paul Lencioni and Alderman Bob Gehm for a 3rd Ward Resident Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.18, in the Community Room (first floor) of the St. Charles Police Department, 1515 W. Main Street.
The meeting is an opportunity for residents to discuss local issues while connecting with neighbors. Light refreshments will be served. No RSVP is necessary.
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Residents share photos of furry family members around town for #STCDogDays
St. Charles is a truly dog-friendly city! To highlight this, we asked people to send us pics of their pups around town for International Dog Day, Aug. 26. We shared the photos of these photogenic pooches on our social media.
A big thank you to all the local pet owners who shared their fun photos!
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'Hidden Gems' series features Ferson Creek Fen
 >>Watch the video on YouTube.
Every month, the City highlights a captivating natural area in St. Charles on social media. Heres a look at the Ferson Creek Fen! The 43-acre fen is located along State Route 31 on the west side of the Fox River. This Illinois State Nature Preserve is protected by law in order to preserve the natural conditions of its flora and fauna. Where should we go next? Email ksilva@stcharlesil.gov with recommendations.
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Show your support for Fox Valley Marathon runners Sept. 22
 The annual Fox Valley Marathon is back Sunday, Sept. 22. If you're not lacing up your gym shoes for the big race, show your support as a spectator cheering on the athletes as they run through town. This year's race village and start/finish line will be in the scenic and shaded Mt. St. Mary Park (31 Prairie Street). Check the course map before heading out, as this year's route has been modified.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. In memory of Kendall Maffia, a former City employee, join St. Charles charity Kendall’s Kindness for the 18th annual Here for Life Walk on Sept. 14. This three-mile “memory walk” starts at Pottawatomie Park and supports suicide prevention services in the Illinois Fox River Valley. Sign up here.
Know where to get help
If you or someone you know is in distress, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 free and confidential support. The Mental Health Board also recommends Suicide Prevention Services of America for its dedicated programs and services focused on suicide prevention.
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War on Wheels | Sept. 8
 »Click image for more information.
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Jazz Weekend | Sept. 12-15
 »Click image for more information.
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Walk to End Alzheimer's
 »Click image for more information.
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Fall Classic Race | Sept. 29
 »Click image for more information.
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We're Hiring!
We’ve assembled a remarkable team of dependable service providers, skilled first responders, and innovative leaders who drive St. Charles to be its best. We invite you to become a part of our team!
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