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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill.  -  June 2026

City Spotlight

America's 250th Celebration in St. Charles

WATCH: The 2026 State of the City Full Presentation

Now available on YouTube!

>>The City of St. Charles and St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 State of the City event May 6 at the historic Arcada Theatre. The evening event featured updates from the City of St. Charles, St. Charles Park District, St. Charles Public Library and St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 that highlighted the partnerships, projects and progress that shaped the community over the past year.

Reminder: June utility bills reflect adjusted rates

Utility rate adjustments for City of St. Charles water, wastewater and electric utility customers will begin appearing on utility bills issued in June 2026. Customers should be aware that a portion of May usage will be included in the June 2026 bill.

Water Conservation Tips

What can I do to lower my water bill? 
Small changes in daily habits can significantly reduce water use and help lower your monthly water bill.  

More information and resources is at Conserve Water for Kane, a water conservation initiative led by Kane County. 

Property Tax Information

The first installment of Kane County property tax bills is due June 1. To see your property tax bill and the breakdown of how much goes to which taxing body (see below pie chart) or visit your county treasurer's website. Kane County residents can access an itemized bill by selecting "Print a Property Tax Bill" and entering their name, address, or parcel number. Taxes related to the City are listed as "St. Charles City." Residents in the DuPage County portion of St. Charles can find property tax information through the DuPage County Treasurer's Office.

Property Tax breakdown: Who gets what, by percentage

>>Chart represents 2025 Levy Year for taxes paid in 2026. The City of St. Charles is one of 10 taxing bodies itemized on your property tax bill. The City's portion of your entire property tax bill is about 10%. 

Spring Projects? Don’t Forget A Permit

Spring is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects, but before work begins, make sure you know whether a permit is required. Permits help ensure projects are completed safely, meet building codes and protect your home’s value. When permits are pulled, project plans are reviewed for safety and compliance, and inspections are completed throughout construction to help prevent costly problems down the road. Working with a contractor who obtains the proper permits also helps keep projects organized and on track.

Skipping permits can lead to delays, fines, legal notices or even issues when selling your home in the future. In some cases, homeowners may be required to remove unapproved work or make costly corrections.

Not sure if your project needs a permit? Contact the Building and Code Enforcement Department at 630.377.4406 before you begin.

For permit applications, click here.

City Notes

Upcoming meetings in June

Meeting information and agendas are available at stcharlesil.gov/meetings. Agendas are posted 48 hours prior to the meeting. This month's schedule is as follows:

»All are welcome to attend meetings in person, join via Zoom, or watch the recorded session on YouTube afterward.

Stay up to date with the City’s 'Meeting Minutes Archive'

Stay informed by viewing minutes from past City Council, Commission, and other official meetings using the City's Meeting Minutes Archive. You can search by meeting type, date, or keyword to review discussions, decisions and updates at your convenience.

Business

New business alert!

• Simple Ejs Bar & Tap
  300 N. Kirk Road (Fox Haven Square)
  Sports Bar and Restaurant featuring modern American fare

Public Safety

Know Before You Open the Door: Solicitor Safety Reminder

Recently, the Police Department has had an increase in complaints of phony handyman services soliciting home restoration projects. Both charitable and commercial solicitors must register with the City before they can go door-to-door. Commercial solicitors must display a photo identification card issued by the Police Department that lists the business name, solicitor’s name and date the permit expires.  Please call 911 if you have any questions or complaints about a solicitor at your home. For more information, contact the Police Department at police@stcharlesil.gov or 630.377.4435.

St. Charles Fire, Police departments release 2025 Annual Reports

Important incident statistics, public safety measures detailed

>>The 2025 Annual Reports for the St. Charles Fire and Police departments highlight incident statistics and trends, extensive training programs, safety measures and public education initiatives.

Safety Tips from the St. Charles Fire Department:

Recent police and fire incident reports in St. Charles

Visit our website for the latest press releases issued by the St. Charles Police and Fire departments.

Public Works Briefs

Brush Collection Schedule in June

The Brush Pick Up program takes place on the East Side on June 15 and on the West Side on June 22.

Community Gets an Inside Look at Public Works

>>The City's Public Works Department welcomed the St. Charles community to a free Open House event in May, giving families a behind-the-scenes look at the essential services that keep the city running smoothly. Attendees enjoyed facility tours, Touch-a-Truck activities, an electric pole climbing demonstration, wastewater lab and treatment plant tours, and more. The event was a great success and provided a fun, educational experience for all ages.

Flashing Beacons Improve Crosswalk Safety

More crosswalk safety improvements are coming to St. Charles! By early June, the City is adding seven (for a total of nine) Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons across St. Charles — with most of the project funded through grants.  Illinois law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks — and these beacons help make sure they do. Activated by pedestrians and bicyclists, the flashing yellow lights grab drivers’ attention, improving safety at crossings. Studies show these lights can increase driver stopping rates by up to 98%! PEDESTRIANS: Still use caution when approaching all crosswalks, making sure vehicles have stopped in both directions before crossing. MOTORISTS: When you see flashing yellow lights at a crosswalk, please slow down and yield to pedestrians.

City's 2026 Roadway Resurfacing Project begins in June

The City’s 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project is expected to begin in June and will include street resurfacing at various locations throughout the community to help maintain and improve existing roadway infrastructure. The project will provide pavement improvements to nearly 9.6 miles of roads, along with utility and concrete repairs. Residents living along affected streets will receive a letter by mail with additional project details.

Be Aware of Flood Warnings

Sometimes flooding can be predicted days in advance, giving ample warning for preparation and evacuation. There are also warnings for conditions that may create flash flooding which are released from the National Weather Service.

Flash flooding is defined as: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur after a sudden release of water by a debris jam.

If you notice flash flooding, call the Public Works Department at 630-377-4405. If there is a flooding emergency that requires lifesaving efforts, dial 911. Watch for alerts from the National Weather Service on radio, television, social media, online or from the agency’s mobile app.

Special Mentions

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.

Community Honors Fallen Service Members during parade, ceremomy

The St. Charles community came together on May 25 for the 2026 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, paying tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. From the parade to the ceremony, the day was filled with reflection, gratitude, and community pride. If you weren’t able to attend, take a look at this recap highlighting the day’s memorable moments. Special thanks to Mark Powell for once again organizing such a meaningful day of remembrance. >>Watch the video on YouTube.

Police take to Dunkin’ rooftops, raise $4K for Special Olympics

Last month, St. Charles Police officers took to the rooftops of two Dunkin’ locations for the 23rd annual Cop on a Rooftop event. Thanks to the amazing support from our community, more than $4K was raised for Special Olympics Illinois! >>Watch the video on YouTube.

Pottawatomie Garden Club members sprout up around City Hall

Pottawatomie Garden Club members joined Public Works for the annual spring planting in May, adding vibrant color to the Municipal Building and the areas around the Main Street and Illinois bridges. Check out what's blooming around town now!  >>Watch the video on YouTube.

From the St. Charles Arts Council:

Paint the Riverside marks Arcada Theatre's 100th anniversary

From the Natural Resources Commission:

Repair: Good for the Wallet, Good for the Environment By Tom Galante, Natural Resources Commissioner In America's "buy-consume-dispose-buy" culture, repairing broken items is a necessary and effective act of environmental responsibility. Fixing a malfunctioning appliance, re-soling shoes, or replacing a smartphone battery instead of buying new is real action that combats pollution and conserves natural resources.

Mayor on the Move in May

>>Clockwise from upper left: Cop on a Rooftop; City welcomes summer interns; Memorial Day Parade; Hands Across St. Charles spring planting for America's 250th anniversary; and Public Works Open House.

Community Events

From the St. Charles Business Alliance:

STC Live! music series features bike-friendly fun June 3

The STC Live! music series returns with free live performances every Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on 1st Street Plaza and at local businesses throughout St. Charles. On June 3, enjoy live music on 1st Street Plaza along with bike-friendly activities, giveaways, and resources from local community groups. Free bike bells, maps, and stickers from the St. Charles Business Alliance will be available while supplies last.

For a full schedule of STC Live! music events, visit the Business Alliance's website.

Unwind Wednesdays are back June 10!

Unwind Wednesday is back beginning June 10 at 1st Street Plaza! Every second and fourth Wednesday in June, July, and August, enjoy drinks from five of the plaza businesses while taking in live music from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests of all ages are welcome, and adults ages 21 and older can enjoy alcoholic beverages until 8:30 p.m. 

Community Clean Up is back this year!

The City of St. Charles Community Clean Up program is back for 2026, giving residents a convenient way to clear out unwanted items by placing them at the curb for pickup. Collections will take place on June 6 (east side of the river) and June 13 (west side of the river). This service is available to residents within St. Charles city limits only. For a list of items that will NOT be picked up, visit stcharlesil.gov.

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. 

June is Pride Month, when the LGTBQIA+ community is celebrated. The St. Charles Equity and Inclusion Commission wants the community to know the LGBTQIA+ community is welcome and celebrated in St. Charles. 

St. Charles Pride Fest set for June 7 in Mt. St. Mary Park

The City of St. Charles Equity and Inclusion Commission will host the second annual St. Charles PrideFest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Mt. St. Mary Park (Prairie Street, east of Route 31) in St. Charles. All are welcome to attend the free celebration, featuring crafts and activities, live music, karaoke, food trucks, pride-themed giveaways, and resource tables from local businesses and nonprofits.

Dog Days at City Hall dog adoption event June 10

Join the City of St. Charles in supporting Rover Rescue of Illinois at a special dog adoption event from 3 to 5 p.m. June 10, 2026, in the grassy area just north of City Hall (2 E. Main Street). Meet lovable, adoptable dogs and puppies, and drop off pet-friendly donations like treats, chew toys, towels, dog shampoo, and paper towels.  Visit roverrescue.org for the full list of needed items.

From the St. Charles Park District:

Summer Concerts in the Park kick off this month!

Come out for Summer Concerts in the Park every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Gazebo on Main Street between 4th and 5th streets. Enjoy music from local bands all summer long (through Aug. 6). Bring your blanket and chairs!

St. Charles' 2026 fireworks to celebrate America's 250th anniversary

Celebrate Independence Day on July 4 with a spectacular fireworks show featuring the city's biggest-ever grand finale in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The fireworks are launched at dark from Langum Park, at 7th and Madison Avenues, and can be seen along the Fox River, with the best viewing locations downtown St. Charles, south of Main Street. Langum Park and Mt. St. Mary Park are suggested view sites.

Not sure where to watch the fireworks?

At noon on July 4, the St. Charles Park District will launch a red balloon in the sky above Langum Park. If you can see the balloon, you will have a great view of the fireworks at dark.

Resources

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!