NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ST. CHARLES
Contact: Lisa Garhan
Communications Manager
630.443.3744
lgarhan@stcharlesil.gov
St. Charles City Council Adopts Committee of the Whole Model
Change Takes Effect Feb. 2, 2026
ST. CHARLES, Ill. (Jan. 8, 2026) – The St. Charles City Council is transitioning to a Committee of the Whole structure for its standing committees. This will take effect Feb. 2, 2026.
Under this new format, the City’s three current standing committees — Government Operations, Planning and Development, and Government Services — will be consolidated into a single Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole will meet immediately following the 7 p.m. City Council meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month. The role of Committee chair will rotate among alderpersons each month.
Currently, all 10 alderpersons already serve on each of the three standing committees, attend all committee meetings, and vote on agenda items. This change formally consolidates those committees into one unified meeting structure.
This action aligns with Strategic Priority 2 – Community Engagement in the City’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan and advances the following strategic goals:
- Increase transparency in City operations to enhance community understanding
- Evaluate and refine public meeting structures to promote stronger communication among staff, elected officials, and the public
Benefits of the Committee of the Whole Structure
Streamlined Meetings and Greater Engagement
Consolidating committees streamlines agenda development and discussion. With all committee items reviewed in one meeting, it will be easier to follow City programs, projects, and initiatives — supporting greater transparency and public engagement.
Expanded Opportunities for Public Comment
Committee of the Whole meetings will include two public comment periods:
- One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda-related items prior to votes
- One at the end of the meeting for general topics
These are in addition to the public comment period at the end of each City Council meeting, providing a total of three opportunities for public input.
More Opportunities for Discussion and Review
The Planning and Development and Government Services Committees previously met once per month. The new structure provides two opportunities each month to discuss and review agenda items, reducing delays and improving the overall review process.
Increased Flexibility for Scheduling Special Meetings
By consolidating committees and meeting dates to the first and third Mondays, alternating Mondays are now available for special City Council workshops and strategic discussions.
Additional Information
- Committee of the Whole meetings will be broadcast via Zoom and posted on the City’s YouTube channel.
- This change will not affect the meeting schedules or structures of the remaining 22 City boards, commissions, or task force groups.
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About the City of St. Charles
The City of St. Charles, Illinois, is guided by the three driving principles in its Mission: Service. Tradition. Community. Together, these principles create a thriving environment for people who live or visit here, and for businesses to prosper. Our City has gained national recognition as a family-friendly town and wide acclaim for its architecture, living up to its nickname Pride of the Fox. Conveniently located 35 miles west of Chicago, in Kane and northwestern DuPage Counties, St. Charles is home to 33,000 residents and a balanced mix of more than 2,000 businesses that employ approximately 28,700 people. More at stcharlesil.gov, and follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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