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News & Highlights from the City of St. Charles, Ill. - October 2026 |
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Fall into fun at Scarecrow Weekend in St. Charles
 Image provided by the St. Charles Business Alliance
>>Come experience the 41st annual Scarecrow Weekend in St. Charles from Oct. 9-11! Browse 120+ handmade scarecrows displayed downtown for visitors to view and vote on their favorites. In addition to the Scarecrow Contest, there will be two action-filled zones and First Street Plaza will offer live entertainment. Activities include photo opportunities, an inflatable corn maze, a rock-climbing wall, pumpkin painting, the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show in Pottawatomie Park and more.
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Lights, Camera, Action!
Hollywood descends on St. Charles for Netflix feature film
 >>On Sept. 29, a Netflix film crew and the film's starring actors were at Town House Books and Cafe (105 N. 2nd Ave.) to film the upcoming romantic comedy based on the New York Times bestselling novel "Better Than the Movies" by Lynn Painter. Filming took place under the production codename “Big Red,” with the upcoming feature film directed by Julia Hart, and starring Beatrice Kitsos (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) as Liz and David Iacono (Jurassic World Rebirth) as Wes. The film is expected to hit Netflix in 2027.
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Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours in St. Charles
Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. All residents are encouraged to turn on outside lights for the safety of the trick-or-treaters. Motorists, please be extra careful and watch for children out walking.
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Leaf Collection begins at the end of the month
Leaf collection will begin on the west side of the river on Oct. 28, 2026. The City’s contractor, Kramer Tree Specialists, will complete three city-wide collection cycles. Please have leaves on the parkway by 6:30 a.m. on the beginning day of pickup for the designated area. Leaf collection may take multiple days to complete, depending on leaf volume and weather conditions. Leaf piles will not kill the grass.
A progress map will be available and updated daily. It will show which neighborhoods have been picked up and where work remains for the collection cycle.
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St. Charles fall hydrant flushing begins Oct. 5
The City of St. Charles is flushing hydrants beginning Oct. 5 and continuing through Nov. 6. Flushing may start as early as 5 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Please note that hydrant flushing could temporarily cause water discoloration, even for homes outside the flushing area.
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Lead Service Line Replacement Program update
The City is continuing its work to replace lead water service lines as part of a statewide effort required by Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA regulations.
As of Sept. 30, 2026, 172 lead service lines have been replaced so far this year.
Understanding Your Water Service Line
The City treats and tests drinking water to ensure it is lead free when it leaves the treatment facility and travels through the water mains.
However, some older homes may contain lead service lines, plumbing materials or fixtures. Lead can enter drinking water through these service lines and a building’s internal plumbing.
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Upcoming City meetings in October
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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 Council members present Spirit Awards to Ward 1 recipients
Ward 1 Alderpersons Mark Foulkes and Ron Silkaitis presented Spirit of St. Charles awards in August to Dorene Tieche, a retired Munhall Elementary School teacher; award-winning local business McNally’s Heating and Cooling for its support of local nonprofits, organizations and events; and Teagan Sjogren (who was unable to attend, not pictured), a recent St. Charles East High School graduate for her strong commitment to leadership, athletics and community service.
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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 Grant-funded Historic Property Surveys begin this fall
The City’s updated historic property surveys are expected to begin in late October or early November. As previously announced, the City received a $28,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and State Historic Preservation Office to support updated architectural surveys in the City’s three historic districts and landmarked buildings.
Consultant MKSK, a planning and design firm with expertise in architectural survey work, will conduct the surveys, updating studies completed 20 to 30 years ago.
Residents may see MKSK team members out in the community photographing and documenting properties. They will be wearing official City of St. Charles vests while conducting their work. A letter will also be sent to affected property owners in advance to provide additional information about the survey.
The team welcomes conversations with homeowners, who may be able to share stories or historical information about their properties that may not be available through their research.
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New St. Charles Deputy Chiefs sworn in
>>St. Charles Police Chief Dan Likens welcomes new Deputy Chiefs Jason Zbrozek (left photo) and Mike Menough during a swearing in ceremony in September at the Municipal Building in St. Charles.
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Residential Basement Fire on Beatrice Ave.
St. Charles firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of Beatrice Ave. on Sept. 28. One civilian was treated at the scene and released; no firefighters were injured. The cause remains under investigation.
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Annual Remembrance Ceremony marks 25th anniversary of 9/11
 >>The City of St. Charles Fire Department held its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony the morning of Sept. 11, 2026, at the Fire Department Memorial Monument in St. Charles. Marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the outdoor ceremony provided an opportunity for the community to come together, honor those who were lost and reflect on its lasting impact.
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Fired Up for Fire Safety: Open House a success!
 >>The annual Fire Department Open House put the fun in fire safety Sept. 12 at Fire Station No. 1 in downtown St. Charles! It was a wonderful day of connecting with the community, sharing valuable fire safety information, and showcasing the exceptional work of our firefighter/paramedics. From rescue demonstrations to fun activities for kids, there was something for everyone.
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 From the St. Charles Fire Department:
Fire Prevention Week highlights safe device charging habits
Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 through 10, is an opportunity to remind residents about fire hazards found in everyday items, including devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. While phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters are generally safe when used properly, damaged batteries or improper charging can create serious fire risks. This year’s message highlights simple, safe charging habits that can help prevent battery fires.
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Campton Hills Road bike, pedestrian project plans discussed
The City of St. Charles held an Open House Public Information Meeting last month at the St. Charles Police Department to share concepts for the proposed Campton Hills Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvements project, from Peck Road to Oak Street. Attendees reviewed plans, asked questions and shared feedback to help inform the project’s final design.
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October Brush Collection Schedule
Brush Pick Up for October begins on the East Side on Oct. 19 and on the West Side on Oct. 26. Please note, it can take the entire week for pick up to be completed. November will be the final brush pickup of 2026.
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 Public Meeting: Riverside Avenue for All project Oct. 20
Join the City for a public meeting about the Riverside Avenue for All: Complete Streets Project from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at City Hall, 2 E. Main St. Learn more about the project and share your feedback as the City explores opportunities to create a more walkable, pedestrian-oriented Riverside corridor while maintaining vehicle access and existing parking.
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Bloom Crew and garden club team up to beautify downtown
 >>The City of St. Charles Public Services Bloom Crew (pictured above) assisted Pottawatomie Garden Club members (below) last month during the annual fall planting of beautiful mums around the Municipal Building and along the Fox River in downtown St. Charles.
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Video highlights City's commemoration of America's 250th
Features residents' Fourth of July photos from yesteryear
 >>St. Charles came together in the summer of 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, filling the season with community and celebrations, from a commemorative tree planting and downtown displays to a live patriotic band and end-of-summer fireworks extravaganza. Don't miss the special collection of family photos from Fourth of July celebrations in St. Charles over the years — some dating back 15 years or more! A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who shared their photos, and to St. Charles Park District for helping fill in the memories and bring this collection together.
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City Insider Podcast earns PRSA Chicago Award of Excellence!
The City of St. Charles’ City Insider Podcast received a PRSA Chicago Award of Excellence during the Skyline Awards on Sept. 17! The annual awards recognize outstanding achievements in public relations and communications across the Chicago area. The recognition celebrates City Insider as a creative way to connect with the community, and keep residents informed and engaged.
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2027 Consolidated Election packets available at City Hall
Completed nomination packets must be filed between Nov. 16-23
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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City's Bake Sale to support Thanksgiving meals for local families
The City of St. Charles will host its annual Trick-or-Treat, Snack or Sweet Bake Sale on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the reception area of City Hall, 2 E. Main Street. Stop by to pick up some special Halloween-themed treats, a pie or pumpkin bread – all donated by City employees. Proceeds will be used to purchase Thanksgiving meal items for families in the Kane County Specialty Courts.
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Big Hearts Fox Valley Toy Drive through Nov. 11
Help make the holidays brighter for local children in D303 by donating to the Big Hearts Fox Valley Holiday Toy Drive through Nov. 11. New, unwrapped toys, games and gift cards can be dropped off in collection boxes located in the Municipal Building reception area, 2 E. Main St., and St. Charles Police Department lobby, 1515 W. Main St.
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Drop off new, gently-used coats at City Hall through Oct. 12
 >> Residents can help keep neighbors warm this winter by donating new or gently used coats for adults and children of all ages through Oct. 12. Coats can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles. Donations will benefit KIN (Kids in Need, McHenry County), Lazarus House in St. Charles, Elgin Wayside Center and The Salvation Army St. Charles.
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Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day set for Oct. 7
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day in Kane County and across the nation is Wednesday, Oct. 7. Motorists are reminded to stay alert and use extra caution around students traveling on sidewalks and roadways, especially during morning and afternoon commute times.
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FVSRA launches new 'Inclusion Isn’t Scary' Halloween campaign
Fox Valley Special Recreation Association has launched “Inclusion Isn’t Scary," a free community campaign encouraging businesses, schools, organizations and residents to make Halloween more inclusive for people with disabilities. Participants who take the pledge can access free resources, including window signs, visual-support tools and practical inclusion tips.
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Tri-Cities Canstruction®: Creativity for a cause
Have you heard of the Tri-Cities Canstruction® event? It's a creative new community competition that is turning canned food into larger-than-life works of art while helping fight hunger across the Fox Valley. The inaugural Tri-Cities Canstruction® exhibit opens Feb. 19, 2027, at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
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General Election Nov. 3
As the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election approaches, Kane County residents can visit the County Clerk’s Office for important voting information, including voter registration, early voting dates and locations, and instructions for requesting a vote-by-mail ballot.
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From the St. Charles Park District:
Gallery of Ghoulish Homes Tour: Scares begin Oct. 16
Get into the Halloween spirit with the St. Charles Park District’s annual Gallery of Ghoulish Homes Tour house-decorating contest, running Oct. 16 through Halloween night. Take a self-guided driving tour through local neighborhoods to view hauntingly creative displays come to life after dark, and vote for your favorites!
A link to a PDF map and Google Map of the tour will become available on the St. Charles Park District's website on Oct. 16.
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From the Senior Services Commission:
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 Chief Dan Likens, Mayor Clint Hull and Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser will discuss scams and fraud related to Investment and Cryptocurrency, Cyber Tech Support, Government Impersonation, Grandparent/Family Emergencies, Driver's License and Tollway Violations and Romance. To RSVP, visit the Facebook event or email rsvp@stcharlesil.gov.
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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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