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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - January 2025 |
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Top 7 City highlights from 2024
St. Charles continues to be a vibrant destination city where residents love to live and businesses thrive. Here is a look back at the Top 7 highlights from 2024:
1. Residential Development: The City has advanced residential development projects on both the east and west sides, totaling 1,100 units that include apartments, single-family homes, townhomes, and duplexes.
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2. Business Development: Major projects around town include Whole Foods (opening spring 2025) and securing the east side's Fox Haven Square (70,000 sq. ft. of commercial and restaurant space opening in 2025). While downtown St. Charles boasts a 95.7% occupancy rate. Also, the 16-floor tower, the last remaining structure of the former Pheasant Run Resort, was demolished, making way for new development in the near future.
3. Improving the Online Experience: The City launched a new website and an Economic Development site for easier access to services, along with a new utility billing portal.
4. Public Safety: The St. Charles Police Department recently opened its new Public Safety Training Center, serving 35 Chicago area police departments and 1,500 police officers annually. The project was funded entirely by grants and private donations. Last year, the Fire Department experienced a leadership transition, with internal promotions of a new Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant.
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 >> An aerial view of the City's new Public Safety Training Center captured by a police department drone during a demonstration at the center's open house and ceremony in October 2024.
5. Infrastructure Improvements: St. Charles made significant strides in enhancing its infrastructure, essential for maintaining quality of life in the city.
- The 1st Street Plaza opened to the public.
- The 2024 Street Rehabilitation Program, one of the largest for the City, resurfaced nearly 13 miles of roadway.
- The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was finalized, with implementation already underway to enhance safety, connectivity, and wayfinding for cyclists and pedestrians. Recommendations identified in the plan that were completed include:
- Painted 300+ sharrows on streets, installed more than 25 wayfinding and bike route signs, and striped multiple high-visibility crosswalks on school routes throughout town.
- Installed a pedestrian refuge island at the corner of Prairie and 14thstreets for safer pedestrian crossing and to slow down traffic.
- The new Riverside Lift Station replaced an aging facility, improving efficiency and service.
- An Electric Substation transformer, originally from 1983, was replaced, boosting the reliability of the City’s electrical system.
- In coordination with the City of Geneva, made improvements to Kautz Road, including adding a turn lane, upgrading the drainage, and completing the bike path along the west side of Kautz. Almost 78% of construction costs were covered by grants.
6. Fox River Dam Joint Task Force: The City, in partnership with the St. Charles Park District and the River Corridor Foundation, formed a Joint Task Force to gather public input, engage the community, and analyze information related to the environmental and fiscal impact of maintaining or removing the Fox River dam in St. Charles.
7. Inclusive Community: The Police Department’s new CARES Program provides specialized support for families affected by mental illness or disability. The City’s high school job shadow program, organized by the Human Resources Department, helps area youth explore potential careers in public service. The program has steadily grown since its launch in 2019, resulting in a total 125 students completing 228 job shadows, with 58 of those occurring in the last school year. While Equity and Inclusion Commission continued to focus on how to ensure all residents are represented.
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Top social media posts of 2024
First of all, if you follow or subscribe to the City of St. Charles' social media platforms — thank you! We now have more than 34,000 followers and subscribers across our channels! If you haven't already, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Top 5 Posts (by engagement):
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City declines further review of St. Charles Farm Concept Plan (Facebook) - Sept. 13
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Fox Haven Square development to open on the east side (Instagram) - July 26
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New parking lot complete at new Whole Foods Market (Facebook) - Aug. 7
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Roadways receive new bicycle symbols, “Sharrows” (Facebook) - Aug. 8
- Firefighters decorate truck for Electric Christmas Parade (Facebook) - Nov. 27
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 >> Firefighters use 5,000 holiday lights to decorate the truck that appeared in the annual Electric Christmas Parade as part of Holiday Homecoming festivities in November.
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Top 5 Most Viewed Videos:
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Demolition of the former Pheasant Run tower (Video) - May 17
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Changing seasons: Beauty of St. Charles in the fall (Video) - Oct. 18
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New “Blue Eyes and Butterflies” mural at Smitty's (Video) - Oct. 10
- Former Fire Chief Scott Swanson's retirement walkout ceremony (Video) - Oct. 29
- St. Charles Police officer recognized by WGN as 1st Responder of the Month (Video) - Oct. 28
 >> In honor of National First Responders Day, St. Charles Police Officer Jennifer Larsen (third from left) was recognized on live television during the Oct. 28, 2024, broadcast of WGN Spotlight Chicago as the news organization's 1st Responder of the Month. Watch the video on YouTube.
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Forward Together: The City's Vision for 2025
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Happy New Year! 2024 was filled with many accomplishments and we are looking forward to even more in 2025.
Community surveys overwhelmingly show residents feel St. Charles is a great place to live, and it continues to be a place where businesses want to be. But we will continue to work to make St. Charles the best it can be.
We have many goals for the new year and are focused on continuing to enhance the amazing quality of life we enjoy here in St. Charles. Here’s a look at some of the projects and initiatives planned for 2025:
More Choices
New development will bring more choices in retail, restaurants, and popular activities:
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Whole Foods: Anticipated opening is Spring 2025 in the former Blue Goose Market location. Filling the space with a premium grocer was a need in the downtown, and the number one request from the community.
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Fox Haven Square: A 7.5-acre dining and retail destination at E. Main Street and N. Kirk Road, will feature the city’s first and only privately-owned indoor Pickleball complex, as well as a mix of restaurants and retail options. It will include four separate buildings connected by a community plaza.
More Accessibility
We are providing more options to walk and bike around St. Charles, as well as interact with the City online.
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Implement recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan:
- Mid-block pedestrian refuge island on Illinois street at the Bob Leonard Walkway for safer pedestrian crossing.
- Dedicated buffered bike lanes on the Illinois Street Bridge and Illinois Street leading from the Fox River Trail to downtown and 1st Street.
- Flashing beacon signs at select pedestrian crossings.
- Improvements for the Fox River Trail crossing on Route 25 north of Moore Avenue.
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Make it easier to complete more transactions online: Soon it will be easier to submit, renew, and pay online for City licenses (liquor, cigarette/tobacco, coin operated amusement, massage and video gaming licenses) and special event permits.
More Amenities
A well-maintained infrastructure is essential to residents’ quality of life and creating opportunities for businesses.
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Lead Service Line Replacement: The City will continue to fine tune its inventory of water service lines to determine which structures may have lead service lines. In accordance with USEPA and IEPA requirements the City has developed a plan to replace lead service lines. Lead service line replacements are projected to start in fiscal year 2026-27.
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Road Rehabilitation Program: Last year, we expanded the resurfacing program to include more roads; this will continue in 2025.
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Kautz Road: Final improvements will be complete in Spring of 2025, when the road and completed bike/walking path will open.
More Engagement
We will continue to expand community outreach and engagement opportunities.
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More ways to get City news: Enhanced alerts will make it easier to keep up with the latest news from the City.
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Engage the next generation of municipal workers: Continue to provide job shadowing and internship opportunities for high school and college students.
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Property Tax Levy approved; keeps taxes consistent
The St. Charles City Council approved the 2024 general property tax levy of $14.9 million during the Dec. 2, 2024, meeting. The levy keeps the portion of property taxes residents pay to the City consistent with last year’s. (For example, last year, a resident with a $300k home paid approximately $775). The levy total is $248,000 more than last year, a 1.7% increase which is the smallest increase in the past six years. The increase will be absorbed by the addition of new growth and other additions to the City’s tax base over the last year, and fund increases in City operating and pension costs. Overall, the property tax rate is expected to decrease from last year.
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The January meetings schedule is as follows:
 >> All are welcome to attend meetings in person, join via Zoom, or watch recorded sessions on YouTube afterward. To join a meeting on Zoom, visit the Meetings page on the City website and click on the meeting you want to attend. Follow the instructions for joining the meeting and submitting public comments.
Special notice
The next Fox River Dam Joint Task Force meeting is Feb. 6, 2025, 6 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers (second floor).
Firefighters serve up annual Senior Dinner to Bickford residents
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The St. Charles Fire Department brought warmth and cheer to Bickford of St. Charles Assisted Living and Memory Care on Dec. 10 by preparing and serving a delicious pasta dinner for seniors and their families.
The annual Senior Dinner was made even more memorable with the presence of the Fire Chief, Mayor, and Alderpersons. It was a beautiful evening filled with community, connection, and heartfelt care.
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 (Photos by St. Charles Police Department)
>> Last month, St. Charles police officers teamed up with Meijer staff for the 15th annual Shop with a Cop event. During the event, 10 officers (including Charlie from the K-9 Unit) had the privilege of shopping at Meijer with 12 local children in need.
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Fire Safety
'Close Before You Doze': A simple step to protect your family
When a fire breaks out, every second matters. Fires can spread quickly, doubling in size every minute, and the key to survival may be as simple as closing a door.
“Close Before You Doze” is a simple, yet powerful action that can make a life-or-death difference in the event of a fire. Closing bedroom doors before going to sleep is one of the most effective barriers against the rapid spread of flames and smoke, giving you and your loved one’s precious time to escape. Here’s why this small action is so essential:
1. Slows Fire Spread: A closed door acts as a barrier, slowing the spread of flames and heat through the home.
2. Reduces Smoke Inhalation: Smoke is the leading cause of death in house fires. A closed door can significantly reduce the amount of smoke that enters your bedroom, giving you more breathable air.
3. Buys Time: By slowing the fire's progression and reducing smoke, a closed door can give you critical extra minutes to escape or await rescue.
How to implement 'Close Before You Doze'
Making this habit a part of your nightly routine is simple and effective. Here’s how:
1. Close Bedroom Doors: Before going to bed, ensure all bedroom doors are closed. Teach your children this vital habit as well.
2. Check Doors Before Sleeping: Verify that all bedroom doors are closed, as well as any doors leading to hallways or stairwells.
3. Have a Fire Escape Plan: Develop a family fire escape plan that includes multiple exits. Practice it regularly to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
4. Install Smoke Alarms: Ensure your home has working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
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 >>Christmas trees will be picked up – no sticker needed – on regular refuse days the weeks of Jan. 6 and Jan. 13.
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Flood risk info, resources available to residents
St. Charles generally has not experienced widespread damage due to flooding, but there are localized flood hazard areas within Kane County. Flooding from the Fox River, Ferson Creek, State Street Creek, 7th Avenue Creek, and Norton Creek often can be predicted in advance. However, flash flooding in these waterways and their numerous tributaries may occur suddenly and unexpectedly.
For more flood-related information and resources, visit the City’s website at www.stcharlesil.gov. To find out if your property is in the Special Flood Hazard Area, access maps, elevation certificates (dating back to the early 1990s) or other flood-related information, visit the Public Works Engineering Division located at 1405 S. 7th Ave. or call the engineering division at 630.377.4405.
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St. Charles named best drinking water in Kane County
City to compete at annual WATERCON conference in April
St. Charles' water was named the best in Kane County following a blind taste test during the Kane County Water Association’s annual water-tasting contest on Dec. 19, 2024, at Global Brew Tap House in St. Charles. A panel of judges, two retired water operators and a village manager, selected St. Charles' water as their top choice.
This marks the second time St. Charles has won first place in the taste test, with the previous win occurring in 2022. As the winner, the City will compete at WATERCON, the American Water Works Association’s annual conference, taking place this April in Peoria.
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'Government for a Day' illustrates impact of local government
St. Charles East High School seniors conduct mock meeting last month
Last month, 82 seniors from St. Charles East High School visited Council chambers to conduct a meeting as part of the “Government for a Day” program. One student was sworn in as Mayor for a Day by Mayor Lora Vitek. Others filled the roles of alderpersons, business owners, developers, and citizens. Concepts are presented by the students and voted on. This hands-on experience illustrates how local government works and how getting involved in government can make a real difference in your community.
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REEL City Moments
This video series brings you the vibrant spirit of our community through short, engaging social media reels. Discover local events, hidden gems, and the incredible people that make our city special.
Buddy the Elf spreads holiday cheer in St. Charles, visits Mayor
Last month, Buddy the Elf had a merry adventure in St. Charles doing what he does best—spreading holiday cheer. With help from Marquee Youth Stage, Von Maur, Tasty Biscuit, St. Charles Fire Department, Santa Claus and Mayor Lora Vitek, Buddy was on a mission to make the holidays extra special.
>>Watch the video on YouTube.
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From the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission
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>> Do you have strings of holiday lights that don’t work, are hopelessly tangled, or are no longer wanted? Don’t throw them out where they’ll sit for years in a landfill—recycle them!
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Restaurant Week | Feb. 3-7
 >>Participating restaurants coming soon!
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St. Patrick's Parade | March 15
 >>The 2025 St. Patrick's Parade entry form is now available.
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Find relief at local Warming Centers this winter
Warming centers offer vital support during the cold winter months. St. Charles locations include:
- St. Charles Police Department, 1515 W. Main St.;
- St. Charles Park District - Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave.; and
- St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave.
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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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