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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - September 2026 |
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 Public invited to ceremony for 25th anniversary of 9/11
Outdoor event to be held Sept. 11 at Fire Department Memorial Monument
The St. Charles Fire Department invites the community to attend its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, 2 E. Main St., adjacent to the Municipal Building north parking lot.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The outdoor ceremony provides an opportunity to reflect on the events of that day and the profound impact they had on the nation.
The 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony is open to the public and will last approximately 20 minutes, rain or shine. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will be relocated to Fire Station No. 1, located at 112 N. Riverside Ave., St. Charles. Parking is available in the Municipal Building’s north and south parking lots.
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 Campton Hills Road Bike & Pedestrian Improvements meeting set for Sept. 1 at St. Charles Police Department
The City of St. Charles is hosting an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the community room of the St. Charles Police Department, 1515 W. Main St., St. Charles, to share plans for proposed bike and pedestrian improvements along Campton Hills Road, from Peck Road to Oak Street. The City is completing preliminary engineering to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity along the corridor.
Residents are invited to stop by, review plans, ask questions and share feedback with representatives from the City and project team. Public input will help shape the final design.
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 Rescheduled Fourth of July fireworks set for Sept. 3
The St. Charles Park District will present its rescheduled Fourth of July fireworks display at dark Thursday, Sept. 3. The End of Summer and Labor Day Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. in both Langum and Mt. St. Mary parks with food, live music and festivities, followed by the fireworks. (The original display planned for July 4 was canceled due to weather.)
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St. Charles named among Illinois’ Most Walkable Town Centers
 >>St. Charles has been recognized by WorldAtlas as one of the “8 Most Walkable Town Centers in Illinois.” With the Fox River, historic downtown, local shops and restaurants, and plenty of places to explore, St. Charles offers a vibrant and inviting experience for residents and visitors alike!
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Stay scam-savvy: Fraud Awareness Seminar set for Nov. 4
 >>The City of St. Charles Senior Services Commission will host a Scam and Fraud Awareness Seminar from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave., in St. Charles. St. Charles Police officers will discuss topics related to Investment and Cryptocurrency, Cyber Tech Support, Government Impersonation, Grandparent/Family Emergency, Driver's License and Tollway Violations, and Romance scams. To RSVP, visit the Facebook event or email rsvp@stcharlesil.gov.
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Upcoming City meetings in September; office closures
All City offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. Monday meetings will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8. As always, police, fire, and emergency services will remain available 24/7.
Utility Billing Closed Sept. 16 for Training
The Utility Billing office will be closed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 16 for training.
This month's meetings schedule
Meeting information and agendas are available at stcharlesil.gov/meetings. Agendas are posted 48 hours prior to the meeting.
 »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.
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 Mayor Hull presents Spirit of St. Charles awards during meeting
Mayor Clint Hull presented Spirit of St. Charles awards during a City Council meeting in July to St. Charles East High School student Josie Baird, fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant Just Kabobs and internationally-recognized soccer freestyle athlete and world record holder Abraham Muñoz. Each month, Spirit Awards are presented during City Council meetings to a student, business and resident who have made a meaningful impact in the St. Charles community.
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2027 Consolidated Election packets available at City Hall
Nomination Packets for the 2027 Consolidated Election are available for pickup at the Reception Desk in the St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main Street, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To have a packet emailed, send a request to msheets@stcharlesil.gov and it will be sent by the next business day.
Completed nomination packets must be filed between Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, 2026. All forms are due to the City Clerk’s office, 2 E. Main Street, St. Charles, no later than 5 p.m. on Nov 23, 2026. Candidates running for office are advised to consult an attorney for specific
questions.
The 2027 Consolidated Election will be held on April 6, 2027.
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#CityHallSelfie Day highlights public service
 >>The City of St. Charles is always happy to put a face — or a whole bunch of faces — to local government. Several staff members celebrated City Hall Selfie Day last month in Council Chambers with Mayor Clint Hull, highlighting the importance of public service. More than 20,000 Selfies were shared from all over the globe, according to Engaging Local Government Leaders, the organization behind the effort.
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New businesses
 City awarded $28K grant to support historic preservation efforts
The City has been awarded a $28,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and State Historic Preservation Office to support updated architectural surveys of properties in the City’s three historic districts — Moody Millington, Millington and Central — as well as designated landmarks outside those districts.
Beginning this fall, consultant MKSK, a planning and design firm with expertise in architectural survey work, will conduct the surveys, replacing studies completed 20 to 30 years ago. The updated information will help the City make informed decisions when reviewing Certificates of Appropriateness, which are required for exterior work on properties covered by the City’s historic preservation regulations.
The grant will help offset the project’s cost to the City while supporting efforts to preserve St. Charles’ historic buildings, neighborhoods and landmarks.
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 >>Firefighters perform a vehicle extrication demonstration during a previous year's Fire Department Open House event in St. Charles.
Fire Department's community Open House set for Sept. 12
Firefighting demos, kids’ activities highlight family-friendly event
The St. Charles Fire Department will host its annual free Open House community event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Fire Station No. 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave., St. Charles (and in the surrounding Municipal Building Parking Lot).
Families will have an opportunity to interact with firefighters and paramedics in fun, interactive ways, while gaining valuable information regarding fire safety. The event will include giveaways, kids activities and live demonstrations, such as a technical rescue (1 p.m.), a vehicle extrication (1:30 p.m.) and live firefighting (2 p.m.).
Free hot dogs, drinks and popcorn will also be served.
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St. Charles takes third at Battle of the Badges softball tournament!
 >>The St. Charles Police and Fire departments took third place in the sixth annual Battle of the Badges softball tournament benefiting Special Olympics Illinois on Aug. 15 at East Side Sports Complex in St. Charles. The final game ended in Oswego (18) defeating Elgin (9) to claim the championship title.
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Celebrating Police K-9 Unit's Charlie on National Dog Day
 >>The St. Charles Police Department celebrated its K-9 Unit therapy dog Charlie on National Dog Day last month, spotlighting his five years of service alongside his handler, Officer Meghan Kramer. Charlie provides comfort and support to victims and witnesses following traumatic incidents while also bringing joy to residents at community events.
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Police Department Swearing-In Ceremony
 >>President of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Pat Reed (left) and St. Charles Police Department Chief Dan Likens (right) welcome Officer Nicholas Wilson (center) to the department during a swearing-in ceremony Aug. 31.
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Firefighters welcome D303 students back to school safely!
 >>St. Charles D303 students may have gone back to school last month, but the St. Charles Fire Department wants to remind motorists to slow down, stay alert and watch for kids — whether walking, biking or boarding a school bus.
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Safety Resource: How to Make an Effective 911 Call
Get practical guidance on when to call 911 and how to communicate effectively with emergency dispatchers during a crisis. Learn important tips like knowing your location, staying on the line, preparing for responders’ arrival, teaching children how to call 911, and what to do if you call accidentally. Download the PDF.
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September Brush Collection Schedule
Brush Pick Up for September begins on the East Side on Sept. 21 and on the West Side on Sept. 28. Please note, it can take the entire week for pick up to be completed.
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Protect your property from flood damage
To reduce damages on property that is susceptible to flooding:
- Apply watertight seals to brick and block walls to protect against low level flooding (less than 2 feet).
- Elevate furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and major appliances on platforms, or move them to higher floors.
- Sandbag and remove items from areas prone to flooding.
- Elevating or relocating the entire structure may be a feasible option.
For more information, visit the City's website or contact the Public Works Engineering Division at 630.377.4405.
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Construction disrupted your refuse pickup? Contact LRS
Construction affecting your street may occasionally disrupt garbage or recycling pickup. If your collection was missed, contact LRS at 844.633.3577 or StCharles@LRSrecycles.com. If the issue persists, contact the City’s Public Works Department at 630.377.4405 for assistance.
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Energy Audit and Rebate Program applications due Oct. 1
Kane County has launched an energy efficiency program to help residents living in unincorporated Kane County identify and make energy-saving improvements to their homes. Through the program, 30 homes will be selected to receive energy audits, along with rebates to help offset the cost of eligible energy upgrades. Applications are due Oct. 1.
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From the Natural Resources Commission:
Column: Leave the Leaves
As fall approaches, learn why leaving fallen leaves in your yard can benefit your garden, wildlife, and the environment — and help reduce reliance on gas-powered leaf blowers.
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From the St. Charles Equity and Inclusion Commission:
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Suicide Prevention Month
 Have a Conversation About Prevention: September is National Suicide Prevention Month; Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.
We need to talk about suicide. The CDC lists suicide as one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. affecting Americans of all ages.
Everyone can play a role in suicide prevention. If you or someone you know needs support, consider talking to someone you trust, joining a club or group, connecting with community resources, participating in an Out of the Darkness Walk, or contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling, texting, or chatting at 988.
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From the Senior Services Commission:
I-PASS Assist program
I-PASS Assist helps income-eligible Illinois residents and certain nonresidents who pay Illinois state income tax access the benefits of an I-PASS at a reduced cost.
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From the St. Charles Public Library District:
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
 >>St. Charles Public Library District residents are eligible for a free library card, with access to the St. Charles Public Library and all SWAN libraries. Sign up online for an instant digital card and enjoy access to books, movies, eBooks, audiobooks, research tools and more.
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Drop off new, gently-used coats at City Hall beginning Sept. 28
 >> Residents can help keep neighbors warm this winter by donating new or gently used coats for adults and children of all ages from Sept. 28 through Oct. 12. Donations will benefit KIN (Kids in Need, McHenry County), Lazarus House in St. Charles, Elgin Wayside Center and The Salvation Army St. Charles. Coats can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Sept. 28, at the Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles.
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Arcada Theatre celebrates 100th anniversary with parade Sept. 6
The Arcada Theatre will celebrate its remarkable 100-year legacy with a commemorative parade through downtown St. Charles at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.
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From the St. Charles Business Alliance:
St. Charles Jazz Weekend | Sept. 10-13
St. Charles Jazz Weekend will take place Sept. 10 through 13 with more than 50 jazz performances at roughly 25 venues. Experience everything from classic sounds to new styles throughout the four-day event, including the new Jazz on Tap experience on 1st Street Plaza and the Jazz Weekend Check-In Challenge. Learn more at stcjazzweekend.com.
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St. Charles Fox River Cleanup Set for Sept. 19
The annual St. Charles Fox River Litter Cleanup will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, beginning at Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles. The River Corridor Foundation, in partnership with The Conservation Foundation and the St Charles Park District invite residents of all ages and abilities to help clean up litter along the Fox River. Trash bags and collection tools will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own gloves. Experienced canoeists and kayakers are welcome to bring their own boats and launch from designated sites. Advance registration is encouraged.
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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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