Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Be Prepared for Extreme Cold

The National Weather Service is predicting wind chills of -10 to -15 degrees in our area overnight. Now is a good time to take steps to ensure you are prepared for extremely cold weather, such as ensuring garden hoses are disconnected from outside faucets, and opening cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to reach pipes. If your water meter is in your garage, keep the garage door closed. Additional resources are available from FEMA related to cold weather emergencies.

City Accepting Applications for Shared Cost Parkway Tree Program

Spring may be far from your mind, but now is the time to begin planning for new growth in 2022. The City's Forestry Division is accepting applications now through Tuesday, March 1, for the City’s Shared Cost Parkway Tree Planting Program.

This program promotes tree planting in Wheaton by splitting the cost between the City and property owner to have a tree planted in the parkway, which is typically the area between the curb and the sidewalk (if a property has curb and/or sidewalk). Residents can choose from a variety of native and non-native trees varying in height and size at a cost of $95 per tree. The City will cover the remainder of the cost for the tree, and City crews will plant new trees in either the spring or fall. All new trees will be approximately 1¾” to 2” in trunk diameter, with heights varying based on the type of tree ordered. For more details about this program or to fill out a program application, see the program page on the City's website.

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 rates in our area continue to be at a high level, with DuPage County Health Department recording 837 new cases in Wheaton for the week of Dec. 26-Jan. 1, which is the highest weekly total our community has recorded throughout the pandemic. For information on where to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster and local updates, please see the DuPage County Health Department website.
If you are seeking a location for a COVID-19 test, the Illinois Department of Public Health website lists testing sites, including community-based testing sites and local pharmacies.

Need a New Year’s Resolution? Try the 9 p.m. Routine

Have you heard of the 9 p.m. routine? It’s simple action recommended by the Wheaton Police Department. At 9 p.m. every night, check your vehicle to make sure you have removed valuables and keys, then lock your vehicle. It’s an easy and effective way to help prevent vehicle burglaries, which often involve unlocked vehicles with valuables left inside. This is one New Year’s Resolution you can easily accomplish in 2022!

Nights of Lights Concludes Jan. 9

The Nights of Lights is presented by the Downtown Wheaton Association and City of Wheaton for the community to enjoy each night through the holiday season through Sunday, Jan. 9 at Adams Park. It is free to attend, and tickets are not required; simply enjoy a magical stroll through the park after dark each night from dusk until 11 p.m.

Christmas Tree Recycling Available

The City's garbage/recycling hauler’s final pickup for live Christmas trees for recycling on your collection day is the weeks of Jan. 3 and Jan. 10 at no charge, with no sticker needed.

Please place your tree at the curb, and make sure trees are free of all decorations and are not in plastic bags. After the collection period, you will need to attach 1 garbage/organic sticker to a live Christmas tree in order to have it collected.

Holiday Light Recycling Ends Jan. 21

Wheaton’s holiday light recycling program runs through Jan. 21. Bring strands of incandescent or LED lights in any condition to the Public Works Storage Facility at 820 W. Liberty Drive between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays and look for signs directing you to the holiday light recycling area just inside the gate. This program is for light strings only. Please do not drop off lawn ornaments or other decorations, and do not put lights in a bag or box. Elgin Recycling, www.elginrecycling.com, will collect the lights, which will then be stripped and recycled for their copper and plastic parts. No materials will be shipped overseas.

Downtown Wheaton Association Hosting Winter Wine Walk

The Downtown Wheaton Association encourages the community to participate in the Winter Wine Walk on Jan. 15. Participating downtown Wheaton businesses will serve as stops along the wine walk, and participants can visit with their souvenir wine glass for tastings. Participants must be at least 21 years old to take part, and masks and social distancing are required. For more information and tickets, visit the Downtown Wheaton Association’s website.

City of Wheaton Videos

Upcoming Meetings

Community Relations Commission Meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall

Coffee with Council

Saturday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m.
Wheaton City Hall
Gamon Room

City Council Planning Session

Monday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall
Council Chambers

Planning & Zoning Board Public Hearing and Meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Wheaton City Hall
Council Chambers

Contact Us

To contact us, please send an email to:
communications@wheaton.il.us.