City of West Chicago, IL

09/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2025 15:39

At Home with Merle Burleigh – September 10, 2025

MERLE'S CORNER

Mexican Independence Day Festival, organized by Despertar Latino, is from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in the historic downtown district. Others involved include Casa Michoacán DuPage, City of West Chicago, Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, WeGo Together for Kids, West Chicago City Museum and People Made Visible. The festive occasion recognizes Mexico's freedom from Spain. Activities include entertainment, traditional food vendors, artisan booths, business and not-for profit organizations vendor booths, family-friendly activities and the large piñata.

The fest begins with the introduction of special guests and elected officials, and the National Anthems of the United States, sung by a West Chicago school student, and Mexico, sung by Juan Diego Rojas. Following this, a representative from the Mexican Consulate in Chicago conducts the "El Grito de La Independencia" ceremony, the true meaning of the event. The observance symbolizes the involvement of the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo, who announced the beginning of the Mexican Revolution with the ringing of church bells September 18, 1810, in the village of Dolores, Mexico. Spain recognized the independence of Mexico September 27, 1821. The bell used in the ceremony here is on loan from the family of long time West Chicago resident, the late Lorenzo Covarrubias, known as the "Patron de La Campana," Patron of the Bell.

The fest includes two family-friendly tents. In the Cultural Tent, hosted by Casa Michoacán, there are fun activities for children to learn more about the celebration and its meaning. Artisans from different regions of Mexico highlight the richness of the traditions. There are artistic workshops in the Artistic Tent, hosted by the West Chicago City Museum and Despertar Latino. Artist Jade Nava teaches clay modeling and painting, allowing participants to create their own masterpieces. As an artist, she portrays Mexican folklore through paintings and sculpture.

In the festive spirit, musical entertainment provides merriment for all. Maria de la Luz performs a special performance of traditional Purépecha music. Ballet Folklorico Xochipitzahuatl step lively as they perform regional Mexican dances wearing traditional attire. Youthful talent, Mariachi Creativo Despertar Latino, play a variety of Mexican music. On the local level, Ballet Folklorico of West Chicago Elementary School District 33 provides, as always, a very professional performance with regional Mexican dances in traditional attire. Another local group performing is Mariachi Rayos Juvenil Mariachi Juvenil of District 33. The dancing musical group, "El Retorno Musical," provide a lively time for the audience. Stepping on the stage is a crowd favorite, the Spanish rock band Los Corb.

Attendees have the opportunity to visit the 35 vendors, which includes the food trucks. Not-for-profit, government and information groups are Neighborhood Food Pantries, Casa Michoacan DuPage, WeGo Together for Kids, Despertar Latino, DuPage Health Coalition, Services (Access DuPage), Islamic Center of Western Suburbs, West Chicago Park District, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Winfield Township Clerk, Educare West DuPage and Xilin Association.

Businesses are Nicor, Realty of America, Courtyard Banquets, Tiny Celebrations, Tania`s Toys, Republic Bank, St. Andrews Golf and Country Club, Attorney Costa Ivone, Sunny Vibes by Jen, Porcayo Realty and Daniel and Associates Real Estate.

There are four artisans. Jewelry vendors are Clau and accessories, and Skarlata. Others are Yolis Crochet and The Wood Crafters by Luz & Juan, who offer professional laser engraving services along with hand made Barrel Decor such as mugs, wine barrels, barrel signs, seasonal crafting, cutting boards, and other wood products.

No festival is complete without food to satisfy the appetites of festival attendees. Local food vendors are St. Andrew Lutheran Church/Mama Coco, Jorge`s Paleteria y Neveria and La India Grocery, who was the winner of best tacos at West Chicago Park District's Art & Taco Fest. The other food trucks are Amigas Restaurante and TacoGyro LLC from Glendale Heights. The restaurants in the downtown district also are open.

The Fest ends with Kramer Tree Services hoisting the 13-foot burro piñata and treats for the children. West Chicago resident Victor Arellano created the piñata. Further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/share/1BHyA1VGW3/.

As you enjoy the Mexican Independence Day Fest, take time to thank the volunteers, who in a short period of time managed to put together this full schedule of activities. I especially thank Sugeira Tellez, Executive Vice President of Despertar Latino, who quickly and patiently responded to my many questions. https://merleburl.com

AROUND AND ABOUT

  • The West Chicago Fire Protection District hosts a small 9/11 ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at fire district headquarters, 200 Fremont St. Also participating is the West Chicago Police Department. The public is welcome to attend.
  • The West Chicago Public Library hosts the program, "Seasonal Gardening Tips: Spring Planting, Fall Clean-up and Seed Collecting, Winter Seed Sowing" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in the meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. A member from the Conservation Foundation discusses seasonal gardening tips. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.
  • The West Chicago Public Library Saturday Crafternoon program, "Felt Beaded Bowls" is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in the main program room, 118 W. Washington St. All supplies are provided. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/.
  • "Celebrating Latine Heritage" is the exhibit at Main Street Gallery, 200 Main St., for the months of September and October. The opening reception is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. Gallery hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. https://merleburl.com
  • Through Illinois Libraries Present, the West Chicago Public Library presents the special program "Finding the Clues: Then and Now with Steve Burns" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. To register, email [email protected]

The hour-long conversation is with Emmy-nominated actor Steve Burns, best known as 'Steve' on the Nickelodeon show "Blue's Clues." Burns has built a unique career in entertainment, encompassing acting, directing, music, and, new this fall, a podcast, "Alive with Steve Burns." Joining Burns in conversation is Arionne Nettles, a Chicago based storyteller and cultural reporter.

  • Healthy West Chicago and West Chicago Public Library host a bilingual demonstration cooking class, "Veggie Spring Rolls," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. To register, visit, https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/. Daniela Limon, a registered dietician, is the instructor, demonstrating how to make the rolls with a sauce on the side. Attendees learn how to how to roll the recipe and receive the recipe. For further information, email Natalia Serrano at [email protected].
  • West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in the Museum, 132 Main St. The book is "Life on the Mississippi: An Epic American Adventure" by Rinker Buck. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, wegohistory.com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

Goodread states, "The book is an epic, enchanting blend of history and adventure in which Buck builds a wooden flatboat from the grand "flatboat era" of the 1800s and sails it down the Mississippi River, illuminating the forgotten past of America's first western frontier…the role of the flatboat in our country's evolution is far more significant than most Americans realize. Between 1800 and 1840, millions of farmers, merchants, and teenage adventurers embarked from states like Pennsylvania and Virginia on flatboats headed beyond the Appalachians to Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana…As a historian, Buck resurrects the era's adventurous spirit, but he also challenges familiar myths about American expansion, confronting the bloody truth behind settlers' push for land and wealth."

  • West Chicago City Museum in partnership with Gallery 200 hosts Train Saturdays on Turner Court. It takes place from 10:00 a.m. to noon Sept. 20, 2025, in the 1860s Chicago Burlington & Quincy Depot, 134 Turner Court, and Gallery 200's Main Street Gallery, 203 Turner Court.

People Made Visible operates the train-themed art on display in the Gallery. It showcases the work of West Chicago railroad photographer Philip Weibler, a well-known and award-winning railroad photographer and collector. Weibler is on hand to discuss his 16 photographs on display and railroading in general. Many of his photographs have been published. His photo of a New York Central locomotive running more than 80 miles per hour is in the show. Weibler took this photo in 1950, 75 years ago when he was twelve years old. His railroad career began in 1956 in a roundhouse full of steam locomotives on the Norfolk & Western. Upon graduation from college in 1960 he went to work for the Rock Island and by 1964 was in the Assistant Mechanical Engineer's office at Silvis. In 1972 he moved over to the C&NW and was qualified as a locomotive engineer in 1975, retiring in 1999.

West Chicago's history begins at the tracks. The city grew from a railroad junction where the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad met other lines in the mid-1800s. Since then, railroads have played a vital role in connecting residents to opportunity, commerce, and each other. The Museum's historic 1860s CB&Q Depot offers visitors the chance to experience this story firsthand. The exhibit includes a model of the 1869 Chicago & North Western Roundhouse, which once stood in West Chicago and served as a symbol of the city's industrial strength and innovation. https://merleburl.com

  • West Chicago Public Library offers a Microsoft Excel computer class at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in the conference room, 118 W. Washington St. Topics covered include layout and basic functions; entering and editing data; using multiple spreadsheets in the same workbook; formatting and sorting data; writing and understanding formulas. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/
  • Winfield Township holds its annual Recycling Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the Township Road District Facility, 30W575 Roosevelt Road. Included again is the collection of non-perishable food items for Neighborhood Food Pantries located in West Chicago. For further information, call 630 231-8850 or email [email protected].

There is no charge for electronic devices. Included among electronic items are computers, monitors, laptops, keyboards, printers, scanners, modems, telephones, televisions, DVD players, gaming devices, stereos, computer cables, fax machines and microwaves. Unacceptable are televisions with cracked or broken screens.

Other acceptable items are cell phones, chargers, cords, holiday lights, bicycles, keys, cooking oil, old flags, hearing aids, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, records, gently used office furniture, ink cartridges, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, clothing, sewing machines and supplies, yarn, musical instruments, books, crayons, and small housewares.

Scrap metal items include aluminum, gutters, metal chicken wire, garden tools, metal hangers, metal lawn furniture, metal pipes, metal shelving, metal wheelbarrows, tomato cages, radiators, washers and dryers.

Items not accepted include hazardous waste, explosives, items containing mercury, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, refrigerators and tires.

PROSHRED Security provides on-site shredding of confidential paper documents. DuPage County provided partial funding for this service.

  • Friends of the West Chicago City Museum and West Chicago Historical Society host a Tasting Party with history presenter Ellie Carlson at noon Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in the Fox Community Center, 306 Main St. The charge is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. To make a reservation, email [email protected] or stop in at the West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St. Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. Carson discusses the history of cooking in the 1950s as she introduces the cuisine in an amusing and entertaining way.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

  • Raised Bakery & Cafe, 124 Main St., is closed through Tuesday, Sept.23, 2025. When it reopens, there will be new menu items and products. https://merleburl.com
  • The fall line of wines arrived at Uncorked West Chicago, 108 Main St. Free samplings are offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2025.
  • As summer draws to a close, so does the outside entertainment at Hawthorne's Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane. There are two remaining performances from 7:30 to 10 p.m. They are Joe Falsetto Friday, Sept. 19, and The Rod Stewart Experience Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. https://merleburl.com
  • We Grow Dreams Greenhouse & Garden Center, 1005 W. Washington St., holds its annual Dreaming of Fall event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Many varieties and colors of mums are available, plus kale, pumpkins, gourds and straw bales. Small business vendors offer their wares. Tempting are the seasonal treats such as apple cider donuts, apple pies and tarts, apples and apple cider from Kuipers Family Farm and Sonny Acres Farms. https://merleburl.com
  • Sonny Acres Farm Festival, 29W310 North Ave. runs from Saturday, Sept. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, and closed Mondays, except for Oct. 13, when it will be open. During the Fest, there are amusement rides, hayrides, train rides, a petting zoo, live music, pumpkin picking, shopping, and seasonal treats such as apple cider donuts, funnel fries, and roasted corn. Haunted Hallows opens Friday, Sept. 26. The charge for the Haunted Hayride is $25, Haunted Barn is $20, and combination of the two is $38. To order tickets and for more information, visit sonnyacres.com. https://merleburl.com
  • Estrella de Mar, 540 Main St., is closed.

REMEMBRANCES

  • Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Facundo Gutierrez Chaides, who at the age of 65 passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
  • Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Lawrence R. Knapp, who at the age of 63 passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

SCHOOLS

  • A COVID and Flu Clinic is from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Leman Middle School, 238 E. Hazel St., main entrance off Joliet Street. The clinic is for all West Chicago Elementary School District 33 staff, students and families, and community members. Persons need to bring their insurance card and ID. The flu shot is approximately $45 without insurance; the flu shot is approximately $100 without insurance.
  • Girls Flag Football is in its first year at West Chicago Community High School with 64 athletes registered. In its first game, the Varsity team lost to South Elgin High School with a score of 6-18. Junior Varsity won with a score of 13-12. Head coach is Conor Zaputil. Assistant coach is Caitlyn Ryba. https://merleburl.com
  • Wheaton Academy has 37 international students this year. The total enrollment at the school is 667.
  • Girls Cross Country at Wheaton Academy won the Sycamore Invite. Five girls finished in the top eleven. They are Addie Painter in first, Sydnie in fifth, Brylee Painter in eighth, Adeline Farrell in ninth and Charlotte Brown in eleventh. https://merleburl.com
  • Educare West DuPage honored two team members, Ms. Karen and Ms. Marissa. Both have been at Educare for 10 years, showing compassion, care and passion for the children and their families. https://merleburl.com
  • In the Friday, Sept.5, 2025, football games, West Chicago won against Joliet Central High School with a score of 64-33; Bartlett High School lost to Lake Park High School with a score of 20-42; St. Charles East High School lost to Notre Dame Niles High School with a score of 28-31; and Wheaton Academy lost to Christian High School with a score of 21-28.
  • Athlete of the Week of September 1, 2025, is Aini Piatek. She not only has been working hard since summer camp, but also stepped up as a freshman leader for the volleyball team. https://merleburl.com

CHURCHES

  • West Chicago Community Clothing Closet, operated by St. Michael's United Church of Christ, is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in the basement of the Rockwell Building, 108 Sherman St. There is no charge for the clothing and shoes. Each family may choose five articles of clothing per person in their family. The Closet is open the second Saturday of each month. Bagged or boxed clothing donations can be dropped off at the entrance of the Rockwell Building.
  • Church members Bob and Len lead the 10 a.m. worship service Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at St. Michael's United Church of Christ, 400 W. Washington St. It is Music Sunday. Reverend Sue Ebersold, pastor of the church, is on sabbatical until October.
  • Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road, offers room rentals for meetings, showers, parties and other gatherings. For information, call the church office at 630 231-3787. https://merleburl.com
  • United Women in Faith at New Hope United Methodist Church honored Linda Stoynoff for Special Mission Recognition. She does many things behind the scenes. Stoynoff is an active member of the Green Disciples, writing articles for the church newsletter, overseeing many of the collections of recyclables, and organizing the annual pumpkin smash. In the last 10 years, she has made 14 to 20 "cover-them-with-love" blankets each year for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. She also makes all the prayer quilts for church members who are hospitalized or suffering from long term illnesses.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHT

  • Amber and Michael Rohr celebrate their Tenth Wedding Anniversary Wednesday, Sept. 10.
  • Gallery 200 artist, Maria Ananieva, hosts her exhibit,"Birding Through Art" during the month of September at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. in Batavia. The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. https://merleburl.com
  • West Chicago resident Rebecca Smith was the recipient of the Employee of the Quarter of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk Office. She is the daughter of John C. Smith, West Chicago resident and Ward 5 Alderman. https://merleburl.com

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

  • Healthy West Chicago and We Go Together For Kids host a Fit4Fall 5K Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, by Zone 250 at Reed-Keppler Park, 250 W. National St. The 5K race, a certified course along the Prairie Path, starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 1 Mile Youth Run at 9 a.m. The charge for adults 18 and over is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents; for students age 17 and under the charge is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. The charge for the 1 Mile Youth Run for children age 10 and under is $5. Families running with 4 or more people will receive $5 off the total at check out. Runners in the 5K race receive a Fit4Fall 5K custom medal and Fit4Fall 5K t-shirt. To register, visit https://www.healthywestchicago.org/fit4fall5k. Athletico offers some stretching activities and Novo Health offers information. On the fulfilling angle, Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers smoothies and Kitchen Table has parfaits. Keeping the Fall spirit going, there is music by a DJ and the announcement of race winners. For further information, email [email protected].
  • American Legion Post 300, 123 Main St., is holding a craft and vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. At this time, the legion is seeking vendors. The charge is $40 for a six foot table, plus $10 for electricity. For further information, email Melissa Doggett at [email protected] or call 630 231-2112. Melissa is the only contact for this event.
  • Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St., offers 2025 Summerart classes. To view the classes and to register, visit https://www.gallery200.net/art-classes. Brochures are available at the gallery. Classes are beginner friendly; intermediate and advanced artists are welcome. For further information, call 630 639-2599.

Fused Glass Sun Catchers classes, taught by Rita S., are at noon Monday, Sept. 15, or 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. The fee is $45. Learning the basics of glass fusing and design, including cutting glass and using several glass working tools, students design and make three sun catchers.

Hoop Necklace class is at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. The charge is $35. The instructor, Britta R., teaches how to make the necklace, which can be worn long and one-stranded, or looped and worn double stranded.

Knotted Necklace classes are at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, or 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22. The fee is $35. Britta R, the instructor, teaches the participants how to make the fun, statement necklace. https://merleburl.com

  • At the Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, City Council meeting, there was a proclamation recognizing the 70th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters of Wheaton and declaring the week of September 22 to 29 as "League of Women Voters Week." Accepting the proclamation on behalf of the League was member Liz Osgood. The League of Women Voters of Wheaton serves the communities of Carol Stream, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.

League of Women Voters of Wheaton Area was formed as a chapter of the League of Women Voters-U.S. and held its first meeting September 22, 1955. Marget Hamilton, who would later become Wheaton's first woman mayor, organized it. There were roughly 20 members in the beginning, but within a few years there were more than 100 members. Wheaton League focused some of its local efforts in Wheaton. By the 1970s and 1980s the league was studying whether the county board should split from the forest preserve, whether Wheaton should lift the ban on alcohol, what should happen to the Danada property and nationally the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. By the 1990s and 2000s the league was hosting candidate nights in surrounding towns and examining issues such a Kerr McGee environmental clean-up in West Chicago.

The league now has approximately 150 members with 10 whom have been members for more than 25 years. In 2024, the league elected its first male president, Maury Goodman. There have been at least six mayors or mayor's wives in the league, one lieutenant governor, one county treasurer, and numerous members of city councils, park, school, forest preserve, library and township boards in its five communities. Although, the LWVW has grown, it has not changed its main concepts: it continues to stress voter education and that candidate forums should remain non-partisan. https://merleburl.com

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

  • The City of West Chicago is seeking community members to serve on the newly created Downtown Revitalization Commission. Appointments are made by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council. Appointments are for a one-year term. The commission will meet monthly, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.

The goal of this commission is to advise and promote initiatives to revitalize the downtown area. The commission's projects include overseeing the development of a concept plan for the West Washington Street site, working with a professional consultant and ensuring meaningful community input; evaluating ideas from the City's Comprehensive Plan and other planning documents to prioritize actionable strategies; and reviewing zoning and land use regulations within the downtown district and recommending updates to support revitalization goals.

To apply, complete the application https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Commission-Application_090225.pdf. Select Other, enter downtown. Applications can be submitted by email to [email protected] or in person to the attention of Valeria Perez at City Hall, 475 Main St. For further information, call Kelley Chrisse, Business & Community Relations Director, at 630 818-3331 or email [email protected].

WEST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

  • West Chicago Police Department celebrates the September work anniversaries of its police officers. School Resource Officer Michael Levato celebrates 27 years. Celebrating 23 years is Officer Robyn Arms. Commander Adam Reavley celebrates 18 years. Celebrating 15 years is Sergeant Gregory Bowers. Officer Paula Schoonhoven celebrates nine years. Celebrating four years is Detective Michael Montgomery. Office Joseph McGuire celebrates four years. Celebrating three years is Officer Elvira Serrano. https://merleburl.com

WEST CHICAGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

  • West Chicago Professional Fire Fighters Local 3970 holds its second annual Bourbon Raffle Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Hawthorne's Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane. West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police joins them in the fundraiser this year. The event begins at 6 p.m.; the drawing is at 8 p.m. Participants have the opportunity to win one of the more than 20 bottles of whiskey, including a bottle of Van Winkle 12-year lot. Raffle ticket price is $20 per ticket and can be purchased at com/ticket. Winners do not have to be present to win. The drawing will be live on the Local 3970 Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WCPFFA/.

Other activities include silent auction, 50/50 raffle and raffles, plus food is provided. Proceeds benefit Project Fire Buddies, a not-for profit organization of firefighters providing support and creating relationships with children battling critical illnesses, 100 Club of DuPage County, a not-for profit organization offering assistance to families of law enforcement and firefighting personnel who have been killed, injured, or otherwise stricken while residing or working in the county, and We Go Together for Kids, a collective impact initiative that brings together 70 community partners from across the Chicagoland region to support West Chicago families with children birth through 12th grade.

  • At approximately 11:00 a.m. Friday, 5, 2025, West Chicago firefighters were called to Republic Bank at 101 Main Street to investigate smoke inside the building. They discovered a small fire on the roof of the building due to roof repair work in progress. The fire was quickly extinguished, and damage was limited to a small section of the roof and wall areas of the second story. All occupants safely evacuated the building; there were no injuries. The building was approved for occupancy and turned back to the bank representatives. West Chicago Fire Protection District personnel were assisted on the scene by Wheaton Fire Departments, Winfield Fire Protection District, Carol Stream Fire Protection District, West Chicago Police Department, and West Chicago Community DevelopmentDepartment. The cause of the fire was deemed accidental and related to the roof repair activities. https://merleburl.com

ODDS AND ENDS

  • Starting Monday, Sept.15, 2025, there will be intermittent lane closures on Gary's Mill Road from Route 59 to Roosevelt Road. Illinois Department of Transportation crews will be resurfacing and building new sidewalk ramps.
  • College of DuPage offers free Adult English Language Acquisition classes at West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet St. Approximately 30 percent of tuition is federally funded under WIOA Title II. For further information, call 630 942-3697 or email [email protected]/ela. https://merleburl.com

Test dates are 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept.22, and Wednesday, Sept.24. Classes meet from 6:30 to 9:50 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The first day of class is Monday, Sept. 29.

  • West Chicago Park District has been helping Anderson Humane with facility space. To give back to the community, the animal shelter is offering a "Seniors 4 Seniors" adoption initiative. Throughout September, the adoption fees for seniors age 65 and older living in West Chicago will be waived. The qualified senior pets are more than seven years old.

The park district is hosting an adoption event from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in the ARC, 201 W. National St. Dogs and puppies are available for adoption. In addition to the waived adoption fees for senior citizens, there is a 25 percent off for adoption of dogs under the age of seven. https://merleburl.com

  • The success of Food Fest comes through clearly as the crowds continue to grow. This year the ideal weather was a winner, allowing the attendees to enjoy not only the many selections of cuisine, but also the entertainment and activities. https://merleburl.com
  • Special Olympics Illinois will send 54 athletes and Unified partners, along with 14 coaches and nine support staff, to represent Illinois next year at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.
  • More than 26,000 persons went to Turtle Splash Water Park this season. The Turtle Splash staff received their third and fourth unannounced audit of the season conducted by StarGuard Elite, and once again they received an overall 4 Star score.

My email address is [email protected].

City of West Chicago, IL published this content on September 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 10, 2025 at 21:40 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]