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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - March 2025 |
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Get your green on March 15!
St. Charles' annual St. Patrick’s Parade returns to Main Street
 >>The St. Patrick’s Parade is back on Saturday, March 15. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and will travel down Main Street, starting at 6th Street and concluding at 4th Avenue. Enjoy vibrant floats, live bands, giveaways, and plenty of green. Also, don't miss the 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony at First Street Plaza, followed by Lucky Photo Stations and a Shamrock Hunt, where participants take pics with hidden clovers for a chance to win a prize.
In-person early voting for Consolidated Election begins March 7
All registered voters in St. Charles are eligible to vote in the April 1 Consolidated Election. In-person early voting begins March 7, 2025. Early voting allows voters to cast a full ballot before Election Day. For more information on early voting, visit the Kane Count Clerk's website, and for a list of early voting sites, click here. As with the 2024 elections, on Election Day, April 1, you can vote at any polling location.
St. Charles voters will choose candidates for Mayor, Alderpersons in Wards 1 through 5, Clerk, and Treasurer. Find out what Ward you're in using the City's interactive online map.
The Kane County Clerk Elections Department is available to assist with questions about precincts or standard election inquiries at 630.232.5990.
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Rud Dogs late-night hot dog spot now open on Main Street
 >> Rud Dogs (pronounced "Rude") at 208 W. Main Street, taking over the former Bezo’s Sandwiches location, kicked off its Grand Opening March 1. The new hot dog-style eatery offers both in-person and delivery service open from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday and is one of the few spots in St. Charles serving food past 10 p.m. The menu features all kinds of hot dogs, Italian beef, grilled cheese, pretzels, macaroni and cheese bites, fries and more, according to a Daily Herald article. The Rud Dog owners also run R House, Rudy’s Bar, and The Beach Hut.
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Upcoming meetings this month
The March 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 Note:
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 9. Don't forget clocks will spring forward one hour at 2 a.m. It’s also a great time to check your smoke detectors! See more fire safety tips below.
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 As we spring forward for Daylight Saving Time on March 9, it's a perfect time to refresh your home fire safety. A few simple steps can help prevent fires and keep your family safe.
1. Test and Change Smoke Alarm Batteries
- Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries.
- Replace alarms older than 10 years.
- Install alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level.
2. Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Test CO detectors and replace batteries.
- Replace detectors older than seven years.
- Place detectors near sleeping areas and on every level.
3. Inspect Fire Extinguishers
- Ensure accessibility and proper pressure.
- Replace damaged extinguishers.
4. Spring Clean for Fire Safety
- Declutter storage areas of flammable materials.
- Replace damaged electrical cords.
- Clean dryer vents and keep exits clear.
5. Outdoor Fire Safety
- Keep grills 10 feet away from structures.
- Never use grills inside and check for gas leaks.
- For fire pits, keep water or an extinguisher nearby and never leave fires unattended.
This Daylight Saving Time, take a moment to review these steps and protect your home from preventable fires. Stay safe and enjoy the extra daylight in the evening.
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St. Charles Police offer Vacation Watch Service for residents
Spring break is coming up at the end of this month, and the St. Charles Police Department is pleased to offer a vacation watch service for residents heading out of town.
By registering, you alert your area beat officer to your absence during a specified time. Officers will conduct extra patrols of the exterior of your property when time allows, with the frequency of checks depending on call volume and other assignments.
A vacation Watch request form must be filled out online or dropped off in-person at the Police Department Front Desk, 1515 W. Main St., St Charles. (NOTE: Requests will be prioritized based on available resources and the volume of registrations.)
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Firefighter paramedic's article featured in Firehouse Magazine
Megan Funk of the St. Charles Fire Department was recently featured in Firehouse Magazine, a respected fire service trade journal. The firefighter paramedic wrote an article, “EMS: Intubation: Blades, Bougies, and Video Laryngoscopy,” about a new life-saving technique that has helped improve airway success rates in the field.
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Free bagged yard waste collection set for part of March, April
Residents will enjoy free bagged yard waste collection during the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April, on your regular refuse pickup day. Yard waste stickers will be required, beginning April 14.
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Compost food scraps with curbside yard waste pickup in April
Beginning in April, St. Charles residents can compost food scraps and other organic materials alongside their regular yard waste for curbside collection. Lakeshore Recycling Systems, the City’s waste and recycling contractor, will collect compostable materials on your regularly scheduled refuse collection day from April through November. NO enrollment is necessary for this program. Residents can simply add the extra organic material to their yard waste bags or carts/cans.
How the Program Works
Residents can place compostable materials with their regular yard waste (such as grass, leaves, and twigs) in one of the following containers:
- A brown Kraft paper yard waste bag with a sticker
- A personal plastic container (no larger than 35 gallons) with a sticker
- A Lakeshore Recycling Services yard waste cart (subscription required)
More Information
For more information about the composting program, please contact Lakeshore Recycling Services at 773-685-8811 or email StCharles@lrsrecycles.com.
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City snowplow operations featured on CBS TV News Chicago
St. Charles' snowplow operations were recently highlighted on CBS News Chicago (channel 2) during a segment on a snowstorm last month. Public Services Manager AJ Reineking was interviewed by reporter Sara Machi, reassuring viewers that the city's 17 plows were actively clearing streets. The story aired during the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. local news broadcasts.
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Riverside Ave. and bike trail closure in effect through early May
 Through early May, Riverside Avenue (IL-25) between Langum Park and Division Street will be closed to through traffic for culvert replacement. During this time, the Fox River Trail will be impassible at the work site located at Moore and Riverside avenues.
 Detour Information
- From Moore Avenue, use S. 2nd Place to reach Division Street.
- Take S. 7th Avenue/East Side Drive or Kirk Road north to reach Route 64 in St. Charles, or south to access Route 38 in Geneva.
About the Project
The 7th Avenue Creek has a history of flooding, causing damage to homes and creating hazardous conditions. This next step in flood mitigation involves replacing the culvert that carries 7th Avenue Creek under Riverside Avenue (IL-25) with a larger one to increase drainage capacity at the creek’s outlet.
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Prairie Street Project continues this spring
 Work will involve curb and sidewalk replacement, driveway repairs, roadway surfacing, permanent striping, and landscape restoration
Last fall, the city installed new water and sanitary sewer mains on Prairie Street from Randall Road to South 13th Street on the city's west side. The installation of the mains was completed on schedule at the end of last year. The road received a temporary asphalt pavement and striping so it could be reopened throughout the winter. As part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, a pedestrian refuge island was installed at the corner of Prairie and 14th streets to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce traffic speed. The final phase of the project will be bid soon with construction starting in early May. The City has received $500,000 in grant funding through the STP-LAFO program to perform resurfacing and restoration work on Prairie in the 2025 construction season. Work will include curb and sidewalk replacement, driveway repairs, roadway surfacing, permanent striping, and landscape restoration.
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Deadline approaching for 2025 IMUA Scholarship Program
The City of St. Charles, in partnership with the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA), is offering four $2,500 scholarships to eligible high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are residential customers of City of St. Charles utilities. This is the 25th anniversary of the scholarship program. Applications, including a 500-word essay, are due by March 14, 2025. Download the application, list of essay questions, and eligibility requirements at imea.org/services.
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Food Check-Out Challenge helps restock pantry shelves
 >>Last month, nearly $4,000 worth of groceries were donated to local nonprofits during the Kane County Farm Bureau's 24th annual Food Check-Out Challenge Shopping Spree at Jewel-Osco in Batavia. Mayor Lora Vitek (second from left) teamed up with Lazarus House to shop for non-perishable food items to help restock the pantry shelves of the St. Charles nonprofit, which provides shelter and services to those facing homelessness in Kane County. The Mayor raced against the clock — and Kane County Board Member Bill Roth (second from right) who was shopping for the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry — to grab as many items as possible in just five minutes.
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Volunteers needed for 30th annual Great Western Trail Cleanup
Join the Friends of the Great Western Trails for its 30th annual Trails Cleanup on April 26. Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter along both sections of the Great Western Trail from Villa Park to Sycamore. The cleanup will start around 9 a.m. with specific times set by coordinators. Bring your family, friends, and work gloves — garbage bags will be provided. To participate, contact Don Kirchenberg at frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com.
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KC Forest Preserve celebrates major milestone with contest
Through June 8, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County is celebrating 100 years of conservation, recreation and education by offering a contest where participants can engage in interactive experiences using the Goosechase app to win prizes.
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Kane County Health Department launches Behavioral Health 360
Free, comprehensive platform to support mental health, wellness
The Kane County Health Department recently announced the launch of Behavioral Health 360, a new online platform designed to assist individuals dealing with mental health and substance use challenges. This free comprehensive self-help tool offers 24/7 access to valuable information, coping strategies, and local resources to empower residents to take charge of their well-being. To explore Behavioral Health 360, visit kanehealth.com.
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REEL City Moments videos
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.
Out & About features St. Charles Public Library
The St. Charles Public Library is much more than a space for books—it’s a community hub full of exploration, creativity and connection. Mayor Lora Vitek talked with library expert Nick Chaney to celebrate National Library Lovers Month in February and explore all the amazing things the library has to offer that you may not know about.
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Meet the members of the K-9 unit!
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Meet the St. Charles Police Department’s K-9 Unit members Saint and Charlie! Whether they’re helping keep the peace or assisting those in need, these working dogs deserve a round of a-paws!
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Out & About features nonprofit Tri City Health Partnership
Tri City Health Partnership in St. Charles is a lifeline for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents in Central Kane County, offering free medical and dental care to those in need. Mayor Lora Vitek talked with Executive Director Danielle Ward to discuss how this incredible nonprofit is making a real difference in the community.
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Deadline approaching for Mental Health Board funding request
The St. Charles 708 Community Mental Health Board will consider requests for funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 at its annual meeting April 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., in Council Chambers, 2 E. Main Street. Applications will be accepted through March 10, 2025. More information, including application guidelines, is on the City website.
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City Hall to accept food bank donations through March 26
This month, the City is collecting non-perishable food donations for the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s West Suburban Center in Geneva. Through March 26, there will be a collection box at City Hall, 2 E. Main St. To learn more about making a donation or volunteering, visit the Northern Illinois Food Bank website.
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City employees wear red for women’s heart health!
 >>Last month, City employees show their support for National Wear Red Day, a nationwide event that raises awareness about heart disease in women.
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Elementary students experience local government at City Hall
 >>Eighty fourth graders from Norton Creek Elementary School received a hands-on lesson in local government at St. Charles City Hall last month. The students took part in a mock City Council meeting, debating whether a candy store should be allowed in a residential neighborhood. With help from the City’s HR, Information Systems, and Community Development departments, as well as the Mayor and Alderperson Jayme Muenz, the students practiced decision-making and engaged in lively discussions.
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From the Equity and Inclusion Commission
The Equity & Inclusion Commission makes recommendations to City Council to ensure the community is inclusive and welcoming to all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, religion, or abilities.
Celebrate St. Charles' local leaders during Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, officially recognized in the U.S. since 1980, thanks to efforts by the National Women’s History Project. What began as Women’s History Week, declared by President Jimmy Carter, became a month-long celebration in 1987.
Locally, St. Charles has a rich history of women who made substantial contributions. Clara Jones Farson (1851–1929), the first woman on the Library Board, a suffragist, and founder of the Women’s Club, helped lead efforts for women’s rights in both St. Charles and Chicago at the height of the suffrage movement.
Lina Paschal (1858–1956), a journalist and editor of the St. Charles Chronicle, made waves during World War I by ensuring the newspaper reached troops. She also wrote columns that sparked important discussions about women’s issues of the time.
Discover more about these influential women and their legacy, on the St. Charles History Museum website.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The purpose of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is to inform the public about the challenges people with disabilities face, provide access to resources, and build inclusive communities. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions affecting physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These include but are not limited to autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning or intellectual disabilities. We encourage residents to connect with local organizations that offer support:
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First responders to take the Polar Plunge on March 9
 >> Come and support the members of the St. Charles Police and Fire departments, along with their families and friends, as they plunge into the Fox River for the St. Charles Polar Plunge at 10 a.m. March 9 at Ferson Creek Park on Route 31 -- just east of Wildrose Springs Drive. All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Parking is limited; carpooling is highly recommended.
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From the St. Charles Arts Council:
Deadline for Student Art Show approaching
The St. Charles Arts Council's annual Student Art Show is April 12 through May 3 at the Art Council's new location, 121 N. 2nd St., Suite H, St. Charles. Fox River Valley students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit artwork by March 14. There’s no entry fee, and any medium except video is welcome. Last year, more than 145 student artists' works were featured. For more details and to submit artwork, visit stcharlesartscouncil.org or contact SCAC Executive Kathryn Hill via email at info@stcharlesartscouncil.org.
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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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