FEATURED NEWS

New Council to be Sworn In May 5

At the May 5 City Council Meeting, the City of Wheaton will welcome its elected officials who were selected by voters during the April 1 consolidated election. Wheaton voters selected the following district representatives for the Wheaton City Council:

• North District – Councilman Scott A. Brown (Incumbent)
• South District – Councilman Scott D. Weller (Incumbent)
• East District – Councilwoman Leah Brice 
• West District – Councilwoman Lynn A. Robbins (Incumbent)

The Wheaton City Council consists of four district representatives, two at-large representatives and the mayor. Only the four district seats were up for election.

What is Administrative Adjudication?

Administrative Adjudication is a process in which violations of certain City municipal codes are adjudicated by a hearing officer rather than through the county judicial system. Matters subject to the City’s administrative adjudication process include violations related to parking, alcoholic beverages, animal codes, zoning codes, building and fire codes, stormwater and businesses.

How does it work?

A hearing officer, who is independent and not a City employee, presides over the hearings. The hearing officer is an impartial, licensed attorney who must meet strict state requirements to serve as a hearing officer.

The Administrative Adjudication process begins when the City files a case, to be heard by the hearing officer, based on the observations of City employees authorized to enforce the City of Wheaton’s Code of Ordinances. After both sides have had an opportunity to present their case, the Hearing Officer will issue a written order stating whether or not a City Code violation existed or exists. 

For more information about Administrative Adjudication, visit the City’s website.

Celebrating Wheaton’s History: Preservation Week May 3-18

May is Preservation Month — a time to celebrate Wheaton’s rich history and discover more about our community. The City of Wheaton Historic Commission invites residents to take part in events and activities throughout the month, especially during Preservation Week, May 3-18, in coordination with the nationally recognized Preservation Month. 

Take a Walk of Historic Places:

Residents will notice blue signs going up in front of over 160 historic homes and buildings beginning May 3. Snap a picture of the QR code on the sign to be directed to the interactive Wheaton Register of Historic Places Map. The map provides images of the sites plus information such as the date built, prominent citizens of the past who lived in the home, and the architectural style. Pick a section of Wheaton and create your own self-guided tour.

History Lecture: Trinity Episcopal Chapel at 150 Years:

Explore the genealogy, stained glass art and architecture of this chapel, which has been in use for 150 years at the corner of West Street & Wesley Street. Registration is strongly recommended as space is limited.

• Date & Time: Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. 
• Location: Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., Meeting Room A 

Learn More About Your Historic Property — Home History Research Help:

Interested in learning more about your historic property? Reserve a 30-minute time slot to get one-on-one help discovering available resources and how to uncover your home's unique story. Drop-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

• Dates & Times: Monday, May 12, 6-9 p.m. and Monday, May 19, 6-9 p.m. 
• Location: Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., Second Floor, Genealogy Area
• Reservations: Call 630-868-7520 or visit the Reference Desk on the Second Floor to make a reservation.

To learn more about the City of Wheaton Historic Commission, visit www.wheaton.il.us/HistoricCommission.

Board/Commission Appointment

The City Council approved the appointment to the following board:

• Planning & Zoning Board
  • Benjamin A. Blume was appointed for a term through April 18, 2026

OTHER NEWS

Upcoming Customer Parking Changes

To ensure that parking closest to downtown businesses is available for customers and is not used for commuter parking or other long-term purposes, the City will be rolling out timed customer parking in the coming months. Please note: Time limits will not apply after 6 p.m. weekdays or any time on weekends. See this video for more information.

City Council Adopts Grocery Tax Ordinance

The Wheaton City Council approved an ordinance at its April 7 meeting implementing a local 1% grocery tax in place of the state grocery tax being eliminated on Jan. 1, 2026. In Wheaton, eliminating the state grocery tax represents a reduction of more than 11% of the City's total sales tax revenues — estimated at $1.6 to $2.2 million annually — which is used to fund essential services such as public safety, public works and capital improvements. Like many Illinois communities, the City of Wheaton has elected to implement this local tax in place of the state's grocery tax to avoid a significant reduction in revenue for City services. Residents will not see a change in grocery tax rate once this change is implemented, as this will replace the current state tax that is distributed to the City.

May is National Building Safety Month

Building Safety Month, led by the International Code Council, is a global campaign held each May to promote safe and sustainable building practices. It emphasizes the importance of updated building codes and the professionals who work year-round to protect our communities.

What is Building Safety?

Building safety ranges from simple actions — like installing smoke alarms or keeping heaters clear of flammable items — to broader efforts like adopting modern building codes and supporting sustainability. Modern homes and buildings incorporate the latest building codes and are designed to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Ways to Practice Building Safety at Home:

• Create and practice a fire escape plan.
• Install smoke alarms on every level and in all bedrooms; test them regularly.
• Avoid overloading electrical cords and using damaged appliances.
• Keep flammable materials away from your home and clear debris from gutters.

Wheaton’s Commitment to Building Safety:

This year, the Wheaton City Council adopted the 2024 International Code Council model codes and 2023 National Electrical Code.

Key benefits of updating to the current editions include:

• Providing modern construction standards that incorporate advancements in construction practices, building materials, industry technologies and green building design, 
• Improving insurance ratings with the Insurance Services Organization, and
• Meeting requirements to be eligible for state and federal grants.

Additionally, the City’s Building Department recently launched an online permit portal which allows you to submit permit applications, accompanying documents and payments to the City online and streamlines the process for City staff to review permits.

Tornado Safety in Illinois: What You Need to Know

Illinois ranks fourth in the nation for tornadoes per square mile, making it important for residents to stay informed and prepared — especially during peak tornado season from April to June. 

What to Do During a Tornado:

• At Home, Work, or School: Go immediately to your predetermined shelter, such as a storm cellar, basement or the lowest level of the building. Stay there until the danger has passed. If there is no basement, go to an interior hallway or a small interior room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
• In a Vehicle: Do not stop under a bridge or overpass. If possible, get inside a substantial building on the lowest floor, away from windows and doors. As a last resort, if there isn’t time to get indoors or if there is no secure shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch, culvert or low-lying area away from vehicles.

Employment Opportunities

The City of Wheaton has the following employment opportunities available: 

• Assistant City Manager
• Civil Engineer - Capital Improvements
• Part-time Community Service Officer
• Part-time Human Resources Coordinator
• Part-time Media Assistant
• Wheaton Police Officers - Lateral

To apply, visit www.wheaton.il.us/Jobs.