Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Leaf and Yard Waste Pickup Ends Week of Dec. 8

During the week of Dec. 8, on your regular pickup day, LRS will make its final collection of yard waste, food scraps, leaves and organic materials for the season.

Collection Reminders:

You can use containers no larger than 35 gallons in size or biodegradable paper bags.
Each container or biodegradable bag must weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Each container or biodegradable bag must have 1 yard waste/organics/garbage sticker attached to be collected.

For more information, such as where to buy LRS stickers, visit the City’s website.

Next Steps in the 2026 City Budget Process

The next steps in the 2026 City Budget process include a Public Hearing on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St. The City Council is then scheduled to consider adoption of the 2026 Budget at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, which will also take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Both meetings are open to the public and will be recorded. The draft budget is available on the City’s website.

Visit the Community Relations Commission’s Giving Tree in Downtown Wheaton

Wheaton's Community Relations Commission encourages the community to check out their Giving Tree on the northeast corner of Hale & Front Streets, which the commission decorated as part of the Downtown Wheaton Association's Christmas Tree Walk. To participate, you can take an ornament or scan the QR code provided to donate a gift(s) to Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans by Dec. 31.

Light Up Wheaton Contest Registration Closes Dec. 11

The City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District are proud to present the annual Light Up Wheaton holiday decorating contest. All Wheaton residents, businesses, houses of worship and community organizations are invited to participate in this free, friendly competition.

Registration is open now through Thursday, Dec. 11. All registered participants must submit a photo of their entry (along with address) to be considered for awards. Awards will be given in three categories: Most Creative, Mayor's Choice, and People's Choice.

For more information and to register, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/LightUpWheaton.

Temporary Road Closures for Reindeer Run 5K on Saturday, Dec. 6

The Wheaton Park District and Lions Club Charities will host the 14th annual Lions Charities Reindeer Run 5K on Saturday, Dec. 6 starting at 8:30 a.m.

The following streets will be temporarily closed (see a map of the closures) from approximately 7:30-10:30 a.m. for this event:

Main Street, between Front Street & Jefferson Avenue
Jefferson Avenue, between Main Street & Cross Street
Cross Street, between Jefferson Avenue & Prairie Avenue
Prairie Avenue, between Cross Street & Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa Avenue, between Forest Avenue & Cadillac Drive
Cadillac Drive, between Santa Rosa Avenue & Webster Avenue
Webster Avenue, between Cadillac Drive & Forest Avenue
Forest Avenue, between Irving Avenue & President Street
Irving Avenue, between Forest Avenue & Prairie Avenue
Oak Avenue, between Irving Avenue & Washington Street
Washington Street, between Prairie Avenue & Franklin Street
Franklin Street, between Washington Street & Scott Street
Scott Street, between Franklin Street & Wesley Street
Wesley Street, between Scott Street & Main Street

Residents, citizens, and motorists are being asked for their cooperation in not moving the barricades or cones to ensure the safety of the runners.

Wheaton Implements New Towing Ordinance for Unpaid Parking Tickets

Vehicles with five or more unpaid parking tickets in the City of Wheaton may now be towed under a new ordinance approved by the Wheaton City Council. The ordinance addresses chronic parking violators whose repeated offenses have made it harder to navigate residential streets and find parking in downtown Wheaton.

Key aspects of the ordinance:

This ordinance only applies to unpaid parking tickets.
Tickets are issued to a vehicle using its license plate. A vehicle is eligible to be towed once it has accrued 5 unpaid parking tickets.
Once a vehicle is eligible to be towed, it will be stickered and a notice will be sent to the registered owner.
The vehicle owner has 7 days to pay all outstanding fines, or the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense without further notice.

How to Check Whether You Have Unpaid Parking Tickets:

The City encourages drivers to check whether they have outstanding parking tickets. You can look up unpaid parking tickets by entering a license plate into both of the City’s parking systems (one is for downtown parking; the other covers the rest of the city).

Parking Citation link (tickets issued in the downtown)

AND

Violation link (tickets issued outside of the downtown or City lots)

For more information about this ordinance, including frequently asked questions, see the City’s website.

Parade Photo Collage of Santa and Parade Floats

Thank You for Celebrating the Holiday Season in Wheaton

Thank you to the Downtown Wheaton Association, parade participants, residents, and the entire community for helping make the Nov. 28 Adams Park Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Parade, and Christmas Tree Lighting truly special. The festive lights, parade floats, and shared holiday spirit made for a joyful start to the season. See a video with highlights from each event.

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the “W” Tent

The Downtown Wheaton Association invites the community to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the “W” Tent, located on Front Street just west of Main Street.

Dates & Times:

Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

This is the perfect time to take a picture with Santa and even check if you made the nice list this year. This event is free and open to the public.

Contact Us

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