City of Elmhurst

Poplar Ave Railroad Crossing Maintenance

The Union Pacific Railroad will be conducting tests on the signals at the Poplar Avenue crossing on the weekends of August 29 and September 5th. The Poplar Avenue crossing will be closed at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29th until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, and again at 7:00 p.m on Friday, September 5th until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8th.

Lock It or Lose It

Leaving your home or vehicle unlocked puts you and your family at risk!
Don't provide criminals with the opportunity to burglarize your home or vehicle.

Document Shredding Events

Recycle your unwanted documents by safely shredding them! This document shredding event utilizes state-of-the-art mobile shredding trucks, which are faster, more efficient, and have a high-volume destruction process. It will save you time and money if you are currently doing your own shredding and 100% of the paper is recycled. Destruction is done quickly while you watch!

Fall 2008 Leaf Pickup

The fall leaf pickup has been scheduled as follows:

• November 5, 6 & 7
• December 3, 4 & 5

Brain Teasers 2 exhibit open all summer at Elmhurst Historical Museum

2007 Consumer Confidence Report

Once again the City of Elmhurst proudly presents its annual water quality report. This edition covers water tests completed from January through December 2007.

Gypsy Moth Infestation Synopsis

On June 17, City Staff confirmed a significant infestation of Gypsy Moth on both DuPage County Forest Preserve District Property and City property. Main infestation is on DuPage County Forest Preserve property at the Northwest corner of Rt 83 and North Avenue in the area we refer to as the North Graue Woods.

The gypsy moth is a pest that was imported into the United States in 1869 in an experiment to produce an improved silk producer. Once it escaped, it established in the New England states and has since defoliated forests, killed trees, and created great nuisances in urban areas in the Northeast U.S. The gypsy moth survives the winter as eggs laid in masses of up to 1,000 eggs or more. Eggs hatch in April or early May into tiny (about 1/4 inch long), black, hairy caterpillars. The adult caterpillars are about one inch long, have mottled brown heads, bodies covered with black and brown hairs, and a series of five pairs of blue spots followed by five pairs of red spots on the tops of the bodies. The greatest feeding damage is done by older caterpillars during the last two weeks of June, sometimes making it appear as if trees are stripped of leaves practically over night. After they have completed feeding in late June or early July, caterpillars enter the pupal stage from which adult moths emerge after 10 to 14 days. Adult moths do not feed.

Additional information is available at:

Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Project

Elmhurst Police Department May 22, 2008 - Press Release

The Elmhurst Police Department will begin a one-year DUI enforcement campaign as part of an Illinois Department of Transportation Grant (IDOT)

Sales Tax Increase Effective April 1

RTA Seeks Input on Cook-DuPage Corridor Transportation Proposal

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will hold a series of five public meetings to share information and obtain public input on a new transportation proposal in the western suburbs that would greatly expand commute options.

After two years of developing the Cook-DuPage Corridor concept plans, a committee of elected county and municipal officials recently approved a scenario of eight transportation improvements to advance for more detailed analysis. The recommended improvements are designed to help increase mobility in the heavily congested Cook-DuPage Corridor. The committee also laid out a set of actions and policies to define the next steps. The RTA would like your feedback on proposed transportation solutions for the Cook DuPage Corridor.

Holiday Parking

Please be aware that regular parking rules apply for the Maximum numbers of hours parked. During the period from 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Monday through Saturdays of each week, parking of each vehicle shall be limited to a maximum period of three hours.

This limitation of time shall not apply to holidays, which for the purpose of this division, shall include the following days only: the first day of January, the fourth Monday in May, the fourth day in July, the first Monday in September, the twenty-fifth day of December, and the day designated and set aside by the President of the United States as a day of Thanksgiving.

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 (Nuisances) Of The Elmhurst Municipal Code By Adding A New Article IV Entitled "Chronic Nuisance Properties"

Seniors Ride Free

All seniors can ride mass transit for free in Illinois. Governor Blagojevich's improvements to the historic mass transit funding plan passed by the General Assembly will require mass transit agencies statewide to allow senior citizens, aged 65 and older, to use main line and fixed route public transit service for free.

Early Voting

The Salt Creek Greenway Trail Update

A New Trail in Elmhurst Tune up your bike and get your walking shoes ready - there's going to be a new trail in town! The Salt Creek Greenway Trail will be ready and waiting for residents once it is completed summer.

Smoke-Free Illinois Public Act 095-0017
Effective January 1, 2008

As of January 1, 2008, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act requires that public places and places of employment must be completely smoke-free inside and within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes.

Places of employment include offices and work areas, conference rooms, break rooms, cafeterias and other common areas. Public places include restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, private clubs, gaming facilities and public conveyances.

Parking Fee Increase
Effective January 1, 2008

The parking system located within the downtown Elmhurst Central Business District (CBD) is designed to address various parking demands from an array of users such as commuters, shoppers, business owners, employees, residents and visitors. In order to maintain a vibrant downtown the City of Elmhurst staff continually monitors the CBD parking and implements minor changes as necessary.

A review of current parking fees indicates that Elmhurst has not implemented a fee increase since 1989. Taking into consideration the increased costs involved in maintaining, improving and enforcing parking, the following parking fee increases will take effect as of January 1, 2008:

*Tokens will no longer be accepted as of
January 1, 2008. Refunds are available at City Hall.

Any questions can be directed to the Collections Department at (630)530-3117 or (630)530-3118.

VISIONARY: An Elmhurst Retrospective

The Elmhurst Historical Museum is pleased to announce a new publication, Visionary: An Elmhurst Retrospective, by Dr. Virginia Stewart. Produced in a handsome art book format, the book examines Elmhurst's civic growth during four pivotal eras from the mid 19th-century to the millennium. Featuring the Museum's collections of historic photographs, documents and artifacts - many never-before published - Visionary will surprise and delight both newcomers and longtime residents.

City to Benefit From Hahn Street Development Project

ELMHURST, Illinois - (September 7, 2007) - Elmhurst officials are continuing careful review of future development plans for the Hahn Street area. This approximately 2.73 acre site is a key opportunity for continued enhancement and redevelopment of the north downtown area. All property necessary for the redevelopment has been assembled for redevelopment.

The City actually began the Hahn Street redevelopment process several years ago with acquisition of several properties along Hahn Street. Over time, these lots were converted to surface municipal parking as a temporary use, until such time that the City opted to pursue redevelopment. That opportunity became more favorable over time, and in November 2006 an RFP (Request for Proposals) was issued for the Hahn Street area. This RFP document, which was also available to the public on the City's website, was distributed to potential developers requesting their response with development proposals. Ultimately those proposals submitted were reviewed by the City Council, and the Council is now working to conclude a development agreement for Hahn Street.

As the Hahn Street area is located within Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District #1 (Downtown area), the new development project for this area will help create a new revenue stream for the community consistent with the goals of TIF. In fact, the future Hahn Street development project will support the community with $1 million of annual tax relief. TIF is a redevelopment tool that allows municipalities to use funds from incremental property tax revenue increases to improve those areas, with significant financial windfalls ultimately accruing to school districts, park districts, and other taxing bodies. TIF is an excellent economic engine that has significantly benefited specific areas of Elmhurst with millions of dollars in tax relief for the entire community.

Salt Creek Presentation Info

Please click below to review the Salt Creek Flood Plain Presentation from the City Council Meeting held on September 4, 2007.

2007 Property Tax Rate for DuPage County Communities

Elmhurst's overall property tax rate in 2007 is $4.7513 (per $100 of equalized assessed value). In conjunction with a 4.83% decrease in the City's rate, Elmhurst maintains a favorable overall property tax rate with only 7 of 34 communities in DuPage County having a lower tax rate.

Crime Awareness Update

Historical Museum: Special Events

2006 Water Quality Report

2008 Police Department Ranking List

2007 Fire Ranking List

Reverse 9-1-1 Used to Warn Residents

Elmhurst Tax Increment Financing Districts

A Strategic Plan For The New Heritage Center In Elmhurst

The Elmhurst Historical Museum is about to embark on a transforming project that will change the role of the Museum within the City of Elmhurst and define the future of the organization.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for South Graue Woods

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for the South Graue Woods area. The annotated map panel revised by this LOMR is for floodplain management purposes and for all flood insurance policies and renewals in the community.

2004 Building Code Amendment Manual