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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - September 2025 |
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 Fire Department annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The St. Charles Fire Department annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony is at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, 2 E. Main Street. The outdoor ceremony includes posting the Fire Department Memorial Flag, placing the memorial wreath, and observing a moment of silence.
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City Insider Ep. 2 now available on Spotify, YouTube
Leaders discuss major development projects, long-vacant properties
 In Episode 2, we dive into major development projects in St. Charles, such as Whole Foods and Fox Haven Square, and explore the challenges of long-vacant sites like Charlestowne Mall and the former Pheasant Run Resort. Hosts Lisa Garhan and Kara Silva sit down with three key leaders at the center of it all: Mayor Clint Hull, City Administrator Heather McGuire and Economic Development Director Derek Conley.
Plus, meet Alderpersons Ron Silkaitis and Mark M. Foulkes during the Inside City Hall segment as they talk all things Ward 1.
 >>From Left: Ward 1 Alderpersons Ron Silkaitis and Mark M. Foulkes, Mayor Clint Hull, City Administrator Heather McGuire and Economic Development Director Derek Conley.
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Elected officials, staff celebrate City Hall Selfie Day!
 >>Mayor Clint Hull snaps a selfie with City staff and Alderpersons Jayme Muenz and David Pietryla outside of City Hall. From the people who keep the city running to the leaders shaping the future of St. Charles — we’re proud to serve the community every day.
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IMEA contract update
The St. Charles City Council declined a motion to accept a new 20-year contract with current energy provider Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) at a special Government Services Committee meeting Aug. 11. The city is expected to begin searching for a new energy provider by 2029 or 2030 to ensure a new agreement is in place before the current IMEA contract expires in 2035.
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The Prairie Street resurfacing is officially complete — and it’s asphalt-lutely looking good! In this video, Mayor Hull shares a pun-derful project update.
>>Watch on YouTube.
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 >> 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.
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City of St. Charles to appoint new Police Chief, Daniel J. Likens
City Administrator Heather McGuire will formally recommend Daniel J. Likens as Chief of Police for the City of St. Charles at the Sept. 2, 2025, City Council Meeting.
Following the official appointment by Mayor Clint Hull and full City Council approval, Likens will assume the role on Sept. 15, 2025.
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 Ward 2 Alderpersons present Spirit of St. Charles Awards
Alderpersons Jayme Muenz and Ryan Bongard presented "Spirit of St. Charles" awards to Ward 2 recipients during the Aug. 4 City Council meeting. The four recipients included Meaghan Bishop for her extensive volunteerism and community service; Brooklyn Schilb (pictured with her mother, who accepted an award on behalf of her other daughter, Addison Schilb) for academic excellence, athletic achievement and peer leadership; and the Heinz Brothers Greenhouse Garden Center for its continued support of the beautification of St. Charles.
The ward-focused recognition honors students, individuals and businesses or organizations who contribute to making St. Charles a vibrant community. Awards are presented at the first City Council meeting of each month through April 2026.
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Marzena Sheets joins elite group of just 14,000 CMCs worldwide
The City's Senior Administrative Assistant & Deputy City Clerk, Marzena Sheets, earned the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation! This honor from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) highlights her outstanding dedication to public service and commitment to excellence in local government. Marzena now joins an elite group of just 14,000 CMCs worldwide.
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 Fire Department Open House event set for Sept. 6
The St. Charles Fire Department's free Open House event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Fire Station No. 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave. The event gives families an opportunity to interact with firefighters and paramedics and gain valuable information regarding fire safety. The event will feature live fire demonstrations, special rescue operations, a firefighter combat challenge (for kids!), community vendor booths, children's activities and refreshments. This year’s campaign focuses on the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in your home — learn how to charge, store and recycle them safely to prevent fires.
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Battle of the Badges raises nearly $6K for Special Olympics
 >>The Police Department's fifth annual Battle of the Badges tournament held on Aug. 16 raised $5,830 for Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This year's champion is the Oswego Police Department. A heartfelt thank you to community supporters — including Mayor Clint Hull (pictured, center) — volunteers and fans who braved the heat and humidity to support the event.
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Mayor, Fire Department drop by youth-run lemonade stand
 >>Local youth entrepreneurs put supply and demand into action last month, welcoming the City’s Fire Department and Mayor for a cool, refreshing stop at their lemonade stand!
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Fire Safety
Fire Extinguishers: Know When and How to Use Them
 >> A fire extinguisher can save lives and property — but only if you know how and when to use it. September is a great time to refresh our knowledge on this vital safety tool.
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Business
New businesses set to open as early as this fall and in 2026
 >>A few new dining and entertainment establishments are set to open in St. Charles as early as this fall — get excited for what’s coming soon!
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 City employee inspires through higher education journey
Lifelong learner currently pursuing law degree
Meet Adam Szalkowski, the City’s Public Works Fleet Assistant Division Manager — and living proof that working full-time doesn't have to stop you from pursuing life goals.
Adam began working for the City in 2014, and in 2019, he took a bold step to go back to school and juggle college with his City career. With encouragement from colleagues and support through the City’s tuition reimbursement program, Adam earned an Associate’s degree from Waubonsee Community College, and both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Aurora University — and he’s not stopping there.
He’s currently attending law school at the University of Illinois Chicago! Adam’s journey shows what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. We’re proud to have lifelong learners like him working for the City.
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Questions answered about city's LED Street Lighting program
The City of St. Charles is upgrading all streetlights — residential, highway, subdivision decorative fixtures and downtown development streetlighting — to energy-efficient LED lighting. This transition — which began in 2018, paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed in 2023 — replaces outdated High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights that no longer meet federal energy efficiency standards. LED lights offer better light quality, improved security visibility, are more energy efficient and require less maintenance, making them a more effective long-term solution.
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September Brush Collection
The Brush Pickup program runs through November.
East Side: Sept. 15
West Side: Sept. 22
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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.
Last month, St. Charles welcomed 60 artists from across the country for the St. Charles Arts Council's second annual Plein Air weeklong outdoor painting event. Forty of those artists gathered at scenic Pottawatomie Park for a lively two-hour Quick Paint competition. Taking first place was Anna Cherkashina with her beautiful painting of the St. Charles Municipal Building.
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Paws on patrol: Honoring Saint on National Dog Day
The City celebrated its dedicated canine, Saint, on National Dog Day, Aug. 26. Alongside K-9 partner Charlie, Saint proudly serves as part of the St. Charles Police Department’s K-9 Unit. Saint’s primary job is to help keep our community safe by assisting officers on calls. Whether it’s tracking, searching, or apprehension, Saint brings his extensive training to the job every day.
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Slow Down, St. Charles: School’s Back in Session!
Mayor Hull joined the St. Charles Fire Department on the first day of school to remind drivers to slow down. Let’s all do our part to keep students safe!
>>Watch on YouTube.
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Coat donations accepted Sept. 29 through Oct. 13
 >>New and gently used coats for people of all ages will be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 13.
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From the Natural Resources Commission:
St. Charles: Proud to be a Tree City USA
St. Charles became a Tree City in 1998 and has successfully kept that designation ever since. Former City Alderman, Peter Grathoff, was concerned that the area’s tree canopy was disappearing, so he organized the St. Charles Tree Commission and the City’s first Arbor Day celebration, which included a tree planting in memory of John Deutsch, a Public Works employee that had been killed in an accident while on the job.
Since then, St. Charles has been a Tree City community maintaining its designation through an annual application and renewal process with the Arbor Day Foundation. For the requirements to be a Tree City, click "Read More."
Bird City designation promotes safer spaces for birds
 In 2023, the Bird City Network was launched by the American Bird Conservancy and Environment for the Americas to unite communities across North and South America in creating healthier environments for both birds and people.
St. Charles earned the Bird City community designation through the initiative of the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission with the support of City Council, the Audubon Society, St. Charles Park District and Kane County Forest Preserve District, making our city a safe haven for birds.
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From the Equity & Inclusion Commission:
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Approximately 10 percent of people will experience thoughts of suicide at least once in their life, according to the National Institute of Health. You never know what others around you are going through, but it's helpful to know the following 12 Suicide Warning Signs:
- Feeling like a burden
- Being isolated
- Increased anxiety
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased substance use
- Looking for a way to access lethal means
- Increased anger or rage
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Talking or posting about wanting to die
- Making plans for suicide
These are just warning signs which can vary in presentation from person to person, but they should be met with a caring response. Ignoring the problem is not an option.
What should you do to help someone at risk?
- Ask them about what they are experiencing. (Some people worry that asking about the problem will "push them over the edge," but this is not true.)
- Keep them safe. If the issue is serious enough and they state they want to die, that's when you call 911, First Responders (police, fire, EMTs) are highly trained and respond to calls of this nature all the time. Don't be afraid to call for help.
- Be there for them, not just in the moment, but in the coming weeks and months.
- Help them connect to resources.
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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Blood Drive on Sept. 4
The Versiti Blood Donation Bus will be at Public Works, 1405 S. 7th Ave., in St. Charles, for a community blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Blood donations are critically needed to support cancer patients, children, new mothers, and others in urgent need. Just one donation can help save up to three lives.
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Sept. 5: Free 'Wildlife Under a Dark Sky' at Leroy Oakes
Join the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the Kane County Department of Environmental and Water Resources for the "Wildlife Under a Dark Sky" guided hike from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 5. This free, family-friendly evening at LeRoy Oakes in St. Charles will feature games, crafts and a night hike while discovering the fascinating world of nocturnal animals and why dark skies are important for both wildlife and people.
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St. Charles Park District hosts free Big Truck Show, Sept. 6
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From the St. Charles Business Alliance:
Jazz Weekend set for Sept. 11-14
 >>St. Charles Jazz Weekend is Sept. 11 through 14. The four-day event will feature a lineup of more than 45 jazz performances spread across more than 20 venues around St. Charles.
St. Charles Scarecrow Contest applications due Sept. 15!
Applications for the 40th annual Scarecrow Contest — part of St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, taking place Friday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 13, in downtown St. Charles — are due by Sept. 15.
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St Charles veterans to present 6th annual Constitution Day/Citizenship Day events from Sept. 13-18
For more information on the event, visit the St. Charles AMVETS Post 503 Facebook page.
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Show your support for Fox Valley Marathon runners Sept. 21
The annual Fox Valley Marathon kicks off at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. 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.The race starts and ends in Mt. St. Mary Park, 31 Prairie St., St. Charles.
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Fox River Cleanup at Ferson Creek Park set for Sept. 20
Mark your calendars for the St. Charles River Cleanup Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m., starting at Ferson Creek Park. This community event welcomes all ages and abilities. (Those younger than 16 years old should be accompanied by an adult.) This event is organized by the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, St. Charles Park District, and The Conservation Foundation.
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Important Links
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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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