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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill.  -  April 2025

City Spotlight

Election Day voting is Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Subscribe to news alerts for City press releases

As part of the City's new website launch last year, it also introduced an easy way for residents to stay informed—by subscribing to receive press releases. This new service has become popular with residents, allowing them to subscribe for email or text alerts that provide a link to a press release when it's sent to media. The subscription option is available through a pop-up on the City's website at stcharlesil.gov and on the City's press releases page.

Business News

Welcome to St. Charles new businesses!

<<Rud Dogs 208 W. Main St. St. Charles Motorcycle Museum & Art Gallery 1317 E. Main St.

(Photo provided by Greco Investment Management, LLC)

>>Fox Haven Square is a commercial development by Greco Investment Management, LLC, comprising 7.5 acres of vacant land south of Jewel, near the northeast corner of E. Main Street and N. Kirk Road on the east side of St. Charles. Plans include four buildings comprised of a blend of retail and dining establishments, an outdoor plaza, shared parking, and the city's first and only privately-owned indoor and rooftop pickleball complex. 

City Notes

>> 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. 

>>The April 3 Fox River Dam Joint Task Force meeting has been canceled. Members are still completing their review of the three finalists in the consultant solicitation process. The final consultant selected will perform a comprehensive analysis of the Fox River dam’s impact on the environment, local economy, and recreational use of the Fox River. The Task Force also is looking to schedule an Illinois Department of Natural Resources representative to attend an upcoming meeting to help answer questions.

Public Safety

St. Charles fire paramedics' quick action results in lifesaving care

>>During a City Council meeting on March 3, three St. Charles firefighter/paramedics and two PSI paramedics received awards for delivering lifesaving care to a resident, Tom North (far right), in 2024. He had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home and, within three minutes of the emergency call, a crew arrived on scene in a fire engine to deliver advanced life support that ultimately saved Tom’s life. He had no prior heart issues and has no memory of the event. His wife, Lynn, who had taken a CPR class through the St. Charles Fire Department, immediately started performing CPR, along with two other bystanders, before crews arrived. Tom is a 9/11 survivor, and he and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary—a milestone made possible by timely interventions from our Fire Department personnel.

State's Attorney's Office announces new Human Exploitation Unit

>>Pictured (from left): City of St. Charles acting Chief of Police Eric Majewski, Mayor Lora Vitek, Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser, State Senator Linda Holmes and First Assistant States Attorney for Kane County Christine Bayer.

Last month, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, joined by local leaders, gathered at the St. Charles Police Department during a press conference to announce the launch of the Kane County Human Exploitation Unit. This specialized unit, with support from the St. Charles Police Department, is dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation in Kane County.

>>This semester, the St. Charles Fire Department is partnering with Compass Academy, a D303 High School program that exposes students to career paths beyond a college degree, to teach nine classes between March and April. This marks the Fire Department’s second year in the program. Firefighters lead lessons on fire science, fire behavior, forcible entry simulators, report writing, and interview skills. The students (pictured) gained hands-on experience alongside firefighters using tools and equipment and watching a live fire demo. Since the Fire Department's involvement in the program, a few students have pursued careers as first responders.

Fire Department partners with Project Fire Buddies

The St. Charles Fire Department is joining Project Fire Buddies, a nonprofit that partners with fire departments to bring comfort and joy to critically ill children and their families. The program is all about offering support, creating fun moments, and providing companionship to families during a challenging time. Photo: Project Fire Buddies

Severe Weather Preparedness: Staying safe during tornadoes

Public Works Briefs

St. Charles spring hydrant flushing begins April 7

The City of St. Charles is flushing hydrants beginning April 7 and continuing through May 9. Signs announcing hydrant flushing will be posted in affected neighborhoods. Flushing may start as early as 5 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

Public Works performs hydrant flushing as part of the regular maintenance to the City’s water distribution system. Flushing water through the mains helps reduce mineral build-up and ensures the hydrants are ready for emergency use.

Hydrant Flushing Schedule

Main Street (IL Rt 64) divides the north/south areas, and the Fox River divides the east/west.

• River Valley East & West: Monday, April 7 - Friday, April 11
• Northwest: Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18
• Southwest: Monday, April 21 - Friday, April 25
• Northeast: Monday, April 28 - Friday, May 2
• Southeast: Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9

*Please note that hydrant flushing could temporarily cause water discoloration, even for homes outside the flushing area. The discoloration is caused by minerals that get stirred up in the water mains.

Riverside Lift Station endorsed by APWA for national competition 

In March, the Environmental Services Division and Whittaker Construction & Excavating, Inc., celebrated a big win for the City’s Riverside Lift Station located at Riverside Avenue (IL Rt. 25) & Devereaux Way. The American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter named the lift station Project of the Year.

The lift station project launched June 22, 2022, and was completed Spring 2024. The new lift station replaced the former station originally located across the street, along the Fox River. The original station was constructed atop an old wastewater treatment plant, with some components, including the underground tanks, dating back to the early 1920s.

This award also comes with the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter’s endorsement for the National Awards competition which will take place in Chicago this August.

The natural and beneficial roles of floodplains

Did you know that preserving natural floodplains can help protect your homes, infrastructure, and the environment? Floodplains are areas of land prone to flooding from any source. When preserved in their natural state, they help store and manage floodwaters without adverse impacts to residents, buildings, roads and infrastructure. Natural floodplains offer many benefits, including flood protection, erosion control, better water quality, recharged aquifers, improved wildlife habitats, and opportunities for recreation.

Free bagged Yard Waste Collection continues weeks of April 7, 14

Brush, compost collections also begin this month

St. Charles residents can take advantage of free bagged yard waste collection during the weeks of April 7 and April 14. The City’s refuse contractor, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Inc., will pick up yard waste in paper bags or rented toter bins on your regular refuse collection day—no sticker required. Simply place twigs, trimmings, leaves, and other yard waste in a paper yard waste bag or a toter bin rented from Lakeshore Recycling Systems, and put it out on the curb for pickup. Starting April 21, a sticker will be required for yard waste collection.

Brush Collection
Brush collection will begin on the East Side on April 21 and on the West Side on April 28.

Compost Collection
Residents can also compost food scraps and other organic materials with their regular yard waste starting April 7. Add the extra organic material to yard waste bags or carts, and it will be collected on your regularly scheduled refuse collection day through November. (See graphic below for acceptable items.)

Special Mentions

Submit Visitors Cultural Commission funding requests by April 24

Available to nonprofits that support tourism, culture, history, the arts 

The St. Charles Visitors Cultural Commission is accepting funding requests from local organizations that support and promote tourism, culture, history, and the arts in St. Charles. Requests are due to the City Hall Finance Department by 4 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025. For information regarding submission criteria and to apply, visit stcharlesil.gov.

Keep St. Charles clean: Remember to pick up after your pets

A friendly reminder to all St. Charles residents to clean up after your pets when they go outside. Let’s keep our community clean and enjoyable for everyone—grab a bag, pick it up, and dispose of it properly. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner!

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 D303 girls basketball, 50 years of girls' sports

To celebrate Women's History Month in March, the city highlighted 50 years of girls’ sports in St. Charles! This episode of Out and About with Mayor Lora Vitek zeroed in on D303’s girls basketball programs, as a nod to the month's March Madness basketball tournament. Check out interviews with the incredible coaches from St. Charles North and East high schools, Katie Claussner (East) and Grant Oler (North), as they discuss honoring the past, coaching female athletes, and how the lessons learned on the court apply to real life. >>Watch on YouTube.

First day of spring makes snowy arrival in St. Charles

St. Charles met the first day of Spring on March 20 with a surprise snowfall! At 33°, it was a chilly start to the season, but people were still out and about enjoying the sunshine amid the snow.   >>Watch on YouTube.

Fire Department uses frozen Fox River for Ice Rescue Training

With a river running right through St. Charles, river rescue is a top safety priority. The St. Charles Fire Department’s dive rescue team is fully certified in all aspects of water rescue and trains year-round to stay prepared. Watch the team perform surface ice rescue techniques on the Fox River in February! >>Watch on YouTube.

Police, Fire and Friends take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

The 2025 St. Charles Polar Plunge last month at Ferson Creek Park was a huge success, raising a total of $58,858! The City's St. Charles Police, Fire & Friends raised $16,125. Enjoy this recap of the event, and watch as city first responders and other local participants brave the icy waters of the Fox River.  >>Watch on YouTube.

Looking ahead: A montage of what's to come later this spring

The cold days of winter are slowly fading away, and soon enough, we'll be basking in the warmth of the sun, and St. Charles will be alive with vibrant colors, al fresco dining and outdoor recreation. Plus, developers anticipate the opening of Whole Foods later this spring/early summer. >>Watch on YouTube.

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. 

Community News

From the St. Charles Arts Council:

Student Art Show runs from April 12 through May 3

The St. Charles Arts Council's annual Student Art Show will take place from April 12 through May 3 at its new location at 121 N. 2nd St., Suite H, in St. Charles. The show will feature the artwork of 183 Fox River Valley students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The gallery exhibition will be open for public viewing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Save the Date!
The Artists' Reception will take place Saturday, April 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. (elementary students), and 5 to 7 p.m. (middle and high school students) at the St. Charles Arts Council's new location (see address above).

Call for artists for Plein Air St. Charles outdoor painting event

The St. Charles Arts Council is seeking artists for its second annual Plein Air outdoor painting event this summer, Aug. 18-24, in St. Charles. The week-long event will offer plentiful opportunities for artists to paint in outdoor locations throughout the beautiful city of St. Charles and its historic downtown.

St. Charles Plein Air will host 55 artists for this juried event, with monetary awards (totaling $5,250) given in several artist categories. Artwork made during Plein Air week will be available for purchase throughout the week’s festivities.

Art sales from the 2024 Plein Air event exceeded $18,000, according to the St. Charles Arts Council.

The artist entry fee is $65, and the application deadline is April 25, 2025. 

Events

Support local businesses at the Spring Shop Crawl!

>>Show your support for St. Charles' small businesses during the Spring Shop Crawl on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. Explore 19 local shops offering exclusive discounts on a variety of items, including home décor, clothing, handcrafted soaps, and more. Don’t miss a chance to discover unique treasures while supporting our community! Learn more by visiting the St. Charles Business Alliance website, at stcalliance.org/stcshopcrawl.

Touch-A-Tractor event April 11-13

The Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation will host the 19th annual Touch-A-Tractor event Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, at the Kane County Farm Bureau, Randall Road at Oak Street in St. Charles. The hours are noon to 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

During this outdoor open house and fundraising event, families can explore modern farm machines and antique tractors, and enjoy kids' story times and other hands-on activities, such as marshmallow catapults and paper origami. 

Celebrate Earth Day this month with eco-friendly programming

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.

Roundup of recycling events in Kane County

Celebrate Earth Day by participating in one of the many recycling events happening in Kane County this month, beginning April 2, and through the end of the year.

Library to host recycled art event on Earth Day for elementary students

The St. Charles Public Library is hosting an art event, Art Club: Earth Day Recycled Book Page Art, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the Helen Gale Story Room. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will use an old book page as a canvas to create a colorful recycled masterpiece with markers.       

St. Charles Park District to offer free Earth Day event at Hickory Knolls

Bread/Produce Tag Recycling Collection this month at City Hall

This month, the City’s Wellness Team has teamed up with SCARCE to collect plastic bread and produce tags for Danielle Cares for Chairs, a nonprofit that recycles these small plastic tags and uses the proceeds to provide mobility equipment for those in need.

A purple collection tub is available in the City Hall reception area. We invite all residents to participate and help provide mobility equipment to those who need it most. This initiative offers a simple yet impactful way to help the environment and support a meaningful cause, as these tags can’t be recycled through regular bins and often end up in landfills.

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!

Application deadline approaching for Chief of Police position

>>Candidates should apply by April 4, 2025, with resume, cover letter, and contact information for five work-related references.