Fourth of July Festivities this Week

Wheaton is celebrating the Fourth of July with a variety of fun and festive events this week, including a patriotic parade, live music, and fireworks display. Everyone in the community is encouraged to join in the excitement!

• Wheaton Field of Honor – Now through Friday, July 4
  • Visit Seven Gables Park, 1750 S. Naperville Road, to experience a display of 2,000 American flags arranged in perfectly straight rows. This tribute honors military members, veterans, first responders, and other heroes who serve and protect our nation. Hosted by the Wheaton Park District, the Field of Honor also features nightly patriotic performances.
• Wheaton Municipal Band Concert – Wednesday, July 2
  • Don’t miss the “Red, White and KaBOOM” concert, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave. This annual patriotic performance by the Wheaton Municipal Band will feature many audience favorites.
• Fireworks & Festivities – Thursday, July 3
  • Join the Wheaton Park District's celebration at Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road, starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy food vendors, music, games, giveaways, and inflatables. A new fireworks and drone show will happen at dusk, approximately 9 p.m.
• Fourth of July Parade – Friday, July 4
  • Celebrate Independence Day with the Wheaton Park District’s annual parade featuring decorated floats, music, and community groups.
  • The parade route will begin at Main Street and Hawthorne Boulevard, traveling south on Main Street, then turning west (right) onto Union Avenue, continuing south (left) on Wheaton Avenue, turning east (left) on Front Street, and concluding at Cross Street.
  • We appreciate your help in keeping the parade moving and everyone safe by staying out of the street during the parade. Signs will be posted throughout the parade route reminding you to stay at or behind the curb. Thank you, and happy Independence Day!

There are several road closures and parking restrictions July 3-4. Please visit the City's website for details.

Downtown Parking Changes Now in Effect

Crews have completed installing timed parking signs throughout the downtown in customer parking areas, and a new program to expand downtown employee parking has started as of July 1. These changes to downtown parking are designed to meet the needs of both customers and employees by keeping parking spaces closest to downtown businesses available for customers, while providing additional parking options for downtown employees.

What’s New?

• Customer Parking: A 3-hour time limit is now in effect for all areas designated “customer parking,” effective Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please note these time limits do not apply after 6 p.m. weekdays, any time on weekends, or on holidays. You will now see 3-hour customer parking signs installed in the central part of downtown, with 4-hour parking signs installed near the perimeter of downtown.
• Employee Parking: In conjunction with timed customer parking, the City has implemented the new Blue Dot Parking Program to increase available parking options for downtown employees. This program allows employees with Blue Dot parking permits to park beyond posted time limits in any areas with Blue Dot signs.
• Wheaton Place Garage, Fourth Floor: The top floor of the Wheaton Place Garage is all daily fee parking, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., payable through the Passport app. After 3 p.m. weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday, these spaces are free and available to customers.

For more information and maps of available parking areas, visit the Downtown Parking section of the City’s website.

Next Neighborhood Roll Call Event: July 8

The Wheaton Police Department has brought back its Neighborhood Roll Calls this summer! In partnership with Community Unit School District (CUSD) 200, Neighborhood Roll Calls have a special focus on how CUSD 200 and the Wheaton Police Department are working together to keep Wheaton’s school communities safe.

The next Neighborhood Roll Call is on Tuesday, July 8, 6:30 p.m., at Edison Middle School, 1125 S. Wheaton Ave. This event will include the following schools: Edison Middle School and Whittier Elementary School.

The events are open to everyone in the community, and residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their neighbors, too. Visit www.wheaton.il.us/RollCall to view a map of events, dates, and find the Roll Call closest to you.

ComEd to Offer Customer Relief Fund

ComEd recently announced a rate increase for electricity customers in the Chicagoland area. Beginning July 7, customers can apply for assistance through the ComEd Customer Relief Fund, a $10 million fund that will provide eligible customers in northern Illinois with grants that can be applied toward past-due bills.

Eligibility:

• Residential customers with past-due balances who are at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for grants up to $500.

or

• Qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations with past-due balances may qualify for grants up to $1,000.

To learn more or apply, visit the ComEd website.