Geneva, IL

One Person Injured In Kansas Street House Fire

One person was injured after a house was bruised by a fire Aug. Thirty at two hundred twenty Kansas St. on Geneva’s east side. The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched to the incident at about 8:03 p.m. after a neighbor spotted the fire and called 911. As engines arrived on the scene, smoke was coming from the east side of the single-family home, and flames were visible from the front window. Firefighters found the homeowner outside the front door with burn injuries. Firefighters initiated an interior attack and brought the fire under control in about twenty minutes. The homeowner was transported by ambulance to Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The home sustained fire and warmth harm in the kitchen and smoke harm across the structure. Harm estimates still are being compiled, but the house has been deemed uninhabitable at this time. Firefighters from Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn and the West Chicago fire departments assisted Geneva at the scene. The Fermilab and North Aurora fire departments provided backup at the Geneva fire stations during the call. Extra support was given by the Geneva Emergency Management Agency, Geneva Police Department and the Geneva Public Works Department.

City Offices Closed For Labor Day Holiday; Garbage Schedule Switches

Geneva City Hall and all other offices with the exception of the Police and Fire departments will be closed Monday, Sept. Four in observance of Labor Day. Normal business hours are scheduled to resume at eight a.m. Tuesday, Sept. Five. Here are the garbage collection pickup dates for the week of: Aug. 28: Thursday & Friday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1; Sept. Four*: Friday & Saturday, Sept. 8-9; and Sept. 11: Thursday & Friday, Sept. 14-15. *Holiday Schedule – Garbage collected one day later than normal. For more information about Geneva’s garbage and recycling services, call the City’s Public Works Department at 630-232-1501 or visit our website.

Company’s Printing Job May Cause ‘Natural Gas’ Odor

Strathmore Company in Geneva has informed the City the business will be printing another propane safety pamphlet, which has generated a “natural gas-like” odor detectable in the community in the past. In May, the Geneva Fire Department responded to several reports of a “natural gas-like” odor on the City’s west side. Through air testing, firefighters determined the smell was emanating from normal harass at the commercial printing company and was not posing any danger. Strathmore, which operates on Gary Lane, will be conducting its latest production run commencing in the afternoon Aug. Twenty eight and from six a.m. to four p.m. through Friday, Sept. 1. The company is printing materials for a customer that has a petite scratch-and-sniff area being applied. The smell being used for the scratch-and-sniff contains Mercaptan, the same odorant that is added to natural gas to make it noticeable. Mercaptan is a harmless, organic substance made of carbon, hydrogen, and sulphur that is detectable to the human nose at levels of less than one part per million. Since natural gas in its unspoiled state does not have a smell, Mercaptan is the ideal additive to colorless, odorless gases so they can be identified well before they reach hazardous levels. Residents in the neighborhood may periodically smell the Mercaptan depending on current wind speed and direction.  However, should people believe an odor is stemming from another source, or if they have skill of an actual natural gas leak, please call nine hundred eleven instantaneously to report the incident. Residents with questions regarding the print production smell can call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530. 

Fire Department To Perform Hydrant Flow Testing

The Geneva Fire Department, in cooperation with the City’s Public Works Department, will be conducting water flow tests on fire hydrants from eight a.m. to three p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. Twenty nine to 31. The operations will take place from the Fox Sea west to Randall Road. Residents might practice rust in their water during or instantaneously after the testing. The water is safe to drink, but people are encouraged to let their faucets run for a few minutes if they notice any discoloration. Residents should refrain from doing laundry until the water is clear. In the event that rusty water discolors clothing, keep the laundry moist and purchase a rust-removing solution packet from a local retailer. The testing provides valuable information on water supplies available for firefighting and where infrastructure upgrades may be needed in the future. The City appreciates everyone’s patience and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.  If you have any questions, please contact Fire Marshal Dustin Schultze or Fire Chief Mike Antenore at 630-232-2530.

Mosquito Splashing Scheduled For Aug. 29

Geneva’s mosquito abatement contractor will be splashing an application of insecticide citywide Tuesday, Aug. Twenty nine to control the adult insect population. Drizzling is scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn embarking Aug. Twenty nine into Wednesday, Aug. 30. Clarke Environmental will be using a synthetic treatment that is safe for humans and pets, albeit people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors with their windows closed during the misting application and one hour afterward. The pumping out will be rescheduled if rain or high winds come in the forecast, and an update would be posted on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.

City Flag Lowered In Memory Of Bill McGowan

The City of Geneva flag outside City Hall has been lowered to half-staff in memory of William McGowan, who passed away all of a sudden Aug. Nineteen at age 63. Bill McGowan is the hubby to Sherie McGowan, the possessor of Geneva’s Cocoon store on Third Street. Mayor Kevin Burns said, “Sherie’s energy, enthusiasm and creativity has been instrumental in helping define Geneva’s historic downtown business district. And, all the while, her spouse, Bill, was at her side.” The flag will remain lowered through Tuesday, Aug. 29. An obituary for Mr. McGowan can be found online. The City of Geneva voices our condolences to the McGowan family on their loss.

Geneva Police Urge Motorists To Use Caution When Driving Near Schools

As summer draws to a close, the Geneva Police Department wants motorists to be mindful of children walking to school embarking Wednesday, Aug. 23. Police officers will have a visible presence in school zones and neighborhoods surrounding school buildings this week to witness for violations that contribute to accidents. These violations include texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, speeding and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. People can read about more back-to-school safety tips from Police Chief Eric Passerelli in the “Safety Very first” blog on the City’s website.  The Geneva Police Department appreciates the community’s support to assure the 2017-18 school year gets off to a safe embark for everyone. Photo credit: Geneva Community Unit School District 304

Route thirty one Sidewalk Connection Project Construction Starts Soon

The City of St. Charles and the City of Geneva are partnering to finish much needed sidewalk connection improvements on Geneva Road/IL Route thirty one from Willowgate Lane in St. Charles south to the existing sidewalk near Wheeler Park in Geneva. Work is scheduled to begin in mid-August with substantial completion in late fall. Work includes construction of a sidewalk and culvert extension, installation of retaining walls, stream bank stabilization, and restoration. Kovilic Construction of Franklin Park is the construction contractor, and construction inspection services are provided by WBK Engineering of St. Charles. There will be times during this work that Geneva Road/IL Route thirty one in the area of the construction will be diminished to one lane with flaggers directing traffic. Motorists may practice delays when traveling through this area. “The City of St. Charles is pleased to playmate with the City of Geneva on this project to provide a much-needed sidewalk connection for better walkability inbetween our two communities,” said Karen Youthful, Assistant Director of Public Works. Please visit the City of St. Charles website for construction updates and a map of the work area. For more information, please contact Civil Engineer Ken Jay at 630-377-4486 or [email protected]. News Release Courtesy Of The City Of St. Charles

Peck Farm House Depicted On City’s Pewter Ornament

Peck Farm is the crossroads where history, nature and recreation collide in Geneva, and the home that helped begin it all is featured on the City’s newest pewter ornament now available for purchase. The two thousand seventeen ornament depicts the Peck Farm House on the front and history of the building on the back. The ornament, which is being sold for $12, can be purchased from eight a.m. to five p.m. Monday to Friday at City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St. People also can visit the City’s website and click “Shop The Geneva Store.” After arriving in Geneva in the 1840s, Eli and Jerusha Peck built the Italianate house in one thousand eight hundred sixty nine befitting their stature attained by raising renowned Merino sheep. Almost symmetrical with a hipped roof, central cupola and carved lintels, the structure served as home to four generations of the Peck family. The family sold the home and more than one hundred acres to the Geneva Park District in one thousand nine hundred ninety one to preserve the land as open space for future generations to love. Today, Geneva’s crown jewel of parks stands at three hundred eighty five acres along Kaneville Road and Fabyan Parkway and offers a broad range of recreational amenities to the public. More information about Peck Farm can be found on the Park District’s website. This is the eighth year Geneva has sold its traditional pewter ornament to the community. Previous editions have featured the City logo, City Hall, Unspoiled Oil Building, Loveday House, Patten House and the Moore House (The Little Traveler). The City also sells other Geneva-themed merchandise, including bracelets, picture frames, golf nut with tees, tote bags and more. Quantities are limited. For more information, call Sherri Weitl at 630-232-7494.

Mosquito Drizzling Scheduled For Aug. Fifteen In Geneva

Geneva’s mosquito abatement contractor will be dumping an application of insecticide citywide Tuesday, Aug. Fifteen to control the adult insect population. Squirting is scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn commencing Aug. Fifteen into Wednesday, Aug. 16. Clarke Environmental will be using a synthetic treatment that is safe for humans and pets, albeit people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors with their windows closed during the misting application and one hour afterward. The drizzling will be rescheduled if rain or high winds come in the forecast, and an update would be posted on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.

Geneva Flag Lowered For Victims Of Charlottesville

The City of Geneva flag outside City Hall has been lowered in memory of the people who lost their lives stemming from the violence in Charlottesville, Va. Aug. 12. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns issued the following statement: “Sometimes the greatest fight in responding to tragedy is determining what to do, how to react and what words to share with those who have been irrevocably impacted. The tragedy in Charlottesville, Va. moved me in in such a profound way that simply being disgusted and upset seemed insufficient. Therefore, to honor the lives lost in Charlottesville, Va. Aug. Twelve – and to send a message that the City of Geneva rejects bigotry and hatred in all its forms and unambiguously denounce the evil perpetrated by white supremacists groups, neo-Nazi’s and the like – I have lowered the City of Geneva flag at City Hall to half-staff Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 20. My hope is that this puny gesture will send an unmistakeable message to our citizens, businesses and guests of our community that the City of Geneva shares the ache of the good people of Charlottesville, Va. and, in particular, the families, friends and colleagues of Ms. Heather Heyer and Virginia State Police Officers H. Jay Cullen and Berke M. M. Bates.”

Boy Scouts Participating In Storm Sewer Stenciling Volunteer Project

Geneva Boy Scouts will be getting the word out this weekend – literally – about the importance of protecting the Fox Sea from illegal dumping. Boy Scouts will be stenciling messages such as “Dump no waste, drains to sea,” on Geneva storm sewer inlets and catch basins from eight a.m. to five p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, weather permitting. The project, which is a City volunteer chance, will take place north of State Street (Route 38) inbetween Anderson Boulevard and Bennett Street (Route 31). The messages are being stenciled on the storm sewers to discourage people from dumping hazardous materials that would eventually drain into the Fox Sea. For more information about storm sewer project, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1551. Extra City volunteer opportunities are posted on our website.

Festival Of The Vine Joy Coming In September

The 36th annual Festival of the Vine is coming to downtown Geneva Friday to Sunday, Sept. Eight to Ten. As is tradition, the Flavor Fare and Wine Tent are located on the corner of Fourth & State streets.  Free entertainment is suggested via the weekend both on the Courthouse Lawn on Third Street and on the main stage at the Flavor Fare. Favorites comeback and fresh acts are debuting at this year’s festival. All around the old Courthouse, on Third, Campbell & James streets, will be the site for a flower market, art & craft display, weekend kids’ activities and complimentary carriage and trolley rail stops. Special Festival of the Vine events will take place in the downtown area with All Chocolate Kitchen, Chez Moi Café & Catering, Fiora’s, Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, Geneva Wine Cellars, Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Juice, SavWay Fine Wines & Spirits, The Little Traveler and Wildwood.  Business booths will be set up on James Street and are ready to share information about their products. For more information, visit the Chamber’s website or call 630-232-6060. News Release Courtesy Of The Geneva Chamber Of Commerce

City Shuts Off Water At Oak Hill Cemetery For Maintenance Building Demolition

Water and electrical use has been shut off at Oak Hill Cemetery along Route twenty five in Geneva for the demolition of a maintenance building. The water mains are located under the the building at the cemetery, seven hundred ninety nine N. Bennett St. The City has made water available to people who desired to water flowers at grave sites. Work is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. Fourteen and take several days to finish, weather permitting. Once the demolition is finished, the utilities will be reactivated. For more information about the City’s cemeteries, visit our website or call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

Vote For Your Beloved Pedal Geneva Bike On Facebook

You may have noticed all the decorated bicycles around Geneva this summer. Now, you can help vote for your dearest. Debuted in 2000, back in 2017, Pedal Geneva suggested Geneva businesses the chance to display their creativity in the form of a bike.  More than 50 participating businesses have taken a plain bicycle and molded it into something colorful to behold. Bikes may be in the front of their store; some may even be in the shop itself. We need the public’s assistance to pick a winner. Through Monday, Aug. 28, visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and “like” the bike you want to win. You can choose as many bikes as you want. The merchant with the most likes will win $500 in Geneva bounty certificates. Pedal Geneva bikes on display runs through Sunday, Sept. Ten, the final day of Festival of the Vine. A guide map can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website. News Release Courtesy Of The Geneva Chamber Of Commerce

Work Zone: Third Street Brick Repair Project Starts Aug. Two

A brick repair project is scheduled to embark Wednesday, Aug. Two on Third Street in downtown Geneva. Brick ribbons along the sidewalk and curbs will be substituted on Third Street from Franklin to Crescent streets. The project, which is scheduled to be ended by Wednesday, Aug. Nine weather permitting, may cause minor traffic delays. The road will remain open to traffic in both directions. Motorists are urged to use caution when driving through the downtown work zone. For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department Street Division at 630-232-1501.

Mosquito Pumping out Scheduled For August one in Geneva

Geneva’s mosquito abatement contractor will be splattering an application of insecticide citywide Tuesday, Aug. One to control the adult insect population. Unloading is scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn beginning Aug. One into Wednesday, Aug. Two. Clarke Environmental will be using a synthetic treatment that is safe for humans and pets, albeit people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors with their windows closed during the misting application and one hour afterward. The dumping will be rescheduled if rain or high winds come in the forecast, and an update would be posted on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.

ComEd Plans To Trim More Trees In Geneva This Summer

Commonwealth Edison has informed the City about tree trimming operations scheduled to take place in August in various sections of Geneva. While the City of Geneva possesses and operates its own electrified utility, ComEd does run power lines through the community to our substations as well as neighboring municipalities. The company states its vegetation management program helps ensure electrical reliability since tree branch contact with power lines is a leading cause of outages. ComEd will be notifying affected residents about tree trimming taking place in their neighborhood. Maps and more information also can be found on the City’s website. Residents who have questions or concerns with ComEd’s program can call the company at 800-334-7661.

Natural Resources Committee Makes $10K Donation To City To Plant Downtown Trees

Geneva’s downtown tree inventory received another boost this year thanks to a $Ten,000 donation from the City’s Natural Resources Committee (NRC). The money reimburses the City for the purchase of twenty fresh trees, which were planted in June by Wasco Nursery. During the past four years, the committee has contributed $30,000 to plant seventy five parkway trees primarily in the downtown. NRC Chairman Jay Womack and other committee members introduced the most latest donation to the City Council July 17. “Mr. Womack and the Natural Resources Committee are Geneva’s modern version of the Lorax,” Mayor Kevin Burns said. “Their commitment to honoring and restoring Geneva’s native tree population is fantastic.” The NRC’s mission is to promote awareness and conservation principles in Geneva. The group’s popular Wine, Cheese and Trees fundraiser held last March raised a record $24,000 in donations from residents and local merchants. Money from the event supports the NRC’s “Greening Geneva” initiative – a reforestation program for City parkways. Womack told the City Council he hopes another round of tree planting is possible this fall, which will be ended by Sebert Landscape. “A number of years ago, the NRC made a pledge to the City to help rebuild the urban canopy,” Womack said. “At that time, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. But, I can say without hesitation, we are so glad to have made the commitment and look forward to continued success so future generations will love the benefits of those trees.” Residents can mark their calendars for the next Wine, Cheese and Trees fundraiser scheduled for Feb. 24, 2018. Geneva, like many communities in the Chicago, lost a number of ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The City has eliminated about Two,700 of the Two,800 parkway ash trees via Geneva during latest years. The NRC’s efforts to restore the downtown canopy includes purchasing a multiplicity of species that increase Geneva’s tree diversity, which experts believe is the best way to avoid problems like Dutch Elm Disease or the ash borer. To learn more about the Natural Resources Committee, visit the City’s website or the “Geneva NRC” on Facebook.

Fight The Bug Bite; Be On The Lookout For Areas Of Standing Water In Your Yard

With the torrential rains we have been eyeing recently, residents may soon see a bumper crop of mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are aptly nicknamed “nuisance mosquitoes,” or “floodwater mosquitoes.” It is significant to reminisce this species, while bothersome, typically does not carry West Nile virus. In hot, dry weather, the Culex mosquito, the species that does carry West Nile virus, breeds in stagnant water, like street catch basins and ditches, clogged downspouts, bird baths, old tires, and multiply rapidly. Following the intense rains like the ones we have experienced recently, it is a good time to inspect your home and yard for sources of standing water where these mosquitoes are likely to breed. West Nile virus transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to fourteen days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Only about two out of ten people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will practice any illness.  Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and bod aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. People older than fifty years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. Fight the bite! The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness such as Zika virus, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take private precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include: Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially inbetween dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present. When outdoors, wear boots and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or substitute screens that have tears or other openings. Attempt to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night. Switch water in birdbaths weekly. Decently maintain wading pools and stock ornamental ponds with fish. Cover rain barrels with 16-mesh wire screen. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. For extra information on West Nile, please visit the Health Department’s website. News Release Courtesy Of The Kane County Health Department

Underground Cable Project Scheduled For Sunset Meadows Subdivision

A City contractor will be substituting underground cable in the Sunset Meadows subdivision in Geneva embarking the week of July 17. Impacted residents were originally sent a letter in late June announcing the project, which is being performed by Utility Dynamics. Crews will be directional boring fresh conduit through the easements and then pulling wire through the fresh conduit. Electrical boxes will be substituted as well. There will be instances where power interruptions will be necessary. For scheduled power interruptions, outage notices will be distributed forty eight hours in advance. The contractor will keep the number and duration of power outages to a minimum. Once Utility Dynamics has ended all work, landscaping will commence. The contractor will be responsible for restoration of the affected areas with the exception of the areas surrounding existing equipment. Residents should note obstructions within ten feet of a switch, junction box, transformer or pedestal will be permanently liquidated, with the exception of established viable trees. In addition, any plantings within five feet of street lights need to be relocated as well. People wishing to relocate existing landscaping from within the safety zone, please do so prior to the contractor’s arrival. Questions or concerns about landscaping can be directed to the City’s Public Works Department. Sunset Meadows residents should be aware Utility Dynamics will have a company taking movie of all the properties to record existing conditions. This will provide documentation in case of a dispute for how a yard looked before and after construction. The expected completion date for this project is November 2017. Landscaping work following the project will be done as weather permits. Residents with private utilities (sprinkler system, dog fence, etc.) should contact Jennifer Hilkemann, Geneva Public Works Department Manager of Distribution Construction and Maintenance, at 630-232-1503, Ext. Three thousand two hundred three so they can be marked prior to construction. General questions about the project or landscaping also can be directed to Hilkemann.

Third Annual Downtown Garden Contest To Help Support Geneva Beautification Committee

People who love our downtown flowers can now cast their vote for their beloved garden as part of the Geneva Beautification Committee’s Tour des Fleurs contest. Six gardens are featured in the 2nd annual contest/fundraiser that will run through Thursday, Aug. 31. Garden photographs, a map and more information can be found online. Participating downtown gardens also are marked with signage. People can vote for their dearest Tour des Fleurs garden in the form of a donation; each dollar donated counts as one vote. There are three options to submit your entry: Visit the contest webpage and click the garden’s PayPal “donate” button; Drop off the donation ballot (available on the contest webpage) along with a check or cash at Geneva City Hall; or Mail your donation check along with the ballot to the Geneva Beautification Committee, Attn: Sherri Weitl, Geneva City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St., Geneva, IL 60134. Voting for numerous gardens is encouraged, and the winning entry will receive a trophy. The Geneva Beautification Committee consists of organizations, businesses, families and volunteers that adopt and maintain planting beds and flower boxes via the City’s central business district. Questions about the Tour des Fleurs contest can be directed to Beautification Committee co-Chair Sherri Weitl at 630-232-7494.

Shakespeare In The Park Event Relocated To RiverPark Due To Flooding

Due to flooding at Island Park from this week’s storms, the Shakespeare in the Park spectacle will have a fresh location this year along the Fox Sea. The free event will embark at six p.m. Saturday, July fifteen at RiverPark, one hundred fifty one N. Sea Lane. People are encouraged to arrive early – seating opens at five p.m. – given the more intimate venue, but the showcase will go on as planned. “RiverPark is the best possible location under the circumstances,” Event Chair Gail Goboda said. “We wished to keep the event downtown, and we will accommodate as many people as possible.” The Midsummer Theatre troupe will perform “As You Like It,” which examines the transformative power of love, and how it turns enemies into allies. This 90-minute family-friendly spectacle is designed to entertain children and adults alike. Dual entendres, slapstick humor, physical gags and dynamic actors are sure to provide laughs for all ages. The venue may provide the crowd less room to spread out, but it permits the actors more creative license in staging the spectacle, adding an interactive component with the audience, according to Kristen Duerdoth, executive director of the theater troupe. Now in its 11th year, Shakespeare in the Park is introduced by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. Admission is free ($Five suggested donation). A pre-show dance spectacle embarks at six p.m. followed by the play. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners to love the Ravinia-style theater practice. Stockholm’s will sell sandwiches, chips and drinks while Graham’s Chocolates will be serving up ice juice. The Geneva Public Library District will suggest a preshow Shakespeare-inspired craft activity for elementary school-aged children at five p.m. at the park. RiverPark is located on North Sea Lane near Peyton Street along the west bank of the Fox Sea. For more information, visit www.genevarts.org or “like” Geneva Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook.

Geneva Revises Parking Fine Structure

People who receive a parking ticket in Geneva will have more time to pay the fine before incurring extra penalties effective Monday, July Ten. As part of the 2016-17 budget, the City Council directed staff to research Geneva’s parking fine structure with surrounding and comparable communities. After months of studying, an ordinance was adopted last year that enhanced the fines and extra fees for late payment. Those issued parking violations had ten days to pay the initial ticket with enhancing fine amounts up to a maximum of an extra $125 in administrative fees. The switch was significant and there was an adjustment period for the public and Geneva Police Department. After evaluating the fresh fee structure for one year and receiving feedback from the community and staff, the City felt it was suitable to be nimble and responsive to the public. A revised ordinance, approved by the City Council last month, provides people thirty days to pay their ticket and scales back the fees charged for late payment. For example, a $25 parking ticket issued in: July two thousand sixteen – Went up to $150 ($25 ticket plus $125 fees) after forty five days of non-payment. July two thousand seventeen – Reaches a maximum of $100 ($25 ticket plus $75 fees) after sixty days. “The City of Geneva and Police Department hope these switches are lighter to understand and will proceed to permit us to balance the parking needs of residents, merchants, employees, commuters and shoppers who visit our incredible community,” Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. A total chart outlining Geneva’s utter parking lot fee structure can be found on the City’s website.

Mosquito Spurting Scheduled For July 7

Geneva’s mosquito abatement contractor will be splattering an application of insecticide citywide this evening, July seven to control a unexpected spike in the adult insect population. Blasting is scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn embarking July seven into Saturday, July 8. Clarke Environmental will be using a synthetic treatment that is safe for humans and pets, albeit people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors with their windows closed during the misting application and one hour afterward. Geneva is again coordinating its mosquito drizzling with Batavia and St. Charles to provide a more effective coverage area over the Tri-Cities. The dumping will be rescheduled if rain or high winds inject the forecast, and an update would be posted on the City’s website.

Flags Lowered For Longtime Community Contributor, Illinois State Police Trooper

The City of Geneva flag outside City Hall has been lowered to half-staff in memory of longtime Geneva resident Gloria Emma, who passed away July three at age 87. After graduating from Geneva High School in 1948, she was employed as a bookkeeper and assistant at The Little Traveler. In 1951, she married Thomas Emma of Geneva. Besides directing volunteer services in local hospitals, she coordinated a recovery program for women after breast surgery and led a successful campaign in one thousand nine hundred seventy four for Congress to expand medicare coverage costs for post-mastectomy products. Other notable accomplishments include being named Historian Emerita of the Geneva History Museum, opening her own business rock hard, serving as a Kane County election judge and publishing a book on her grandfather, former Chicago Mayor DeWitt Clinton Cregier. The total obituary for Mrs. Emma can be found online. The City of Geneva voices our condolences to the Emma family on their loss. The U.S. and State flags have been lowered at the direction of the Governor’s Office in remembrance of Illinois State Trooper Ryan Albin. These flags will be raised at the close of business July 6.

City Hosting Informational Meeting About Upcoming Road Construction Projects

Geneva residents and merchants are invited to attend a public information meeting highlighting the City’s two thousand seventeen Street Improvement Program projects that will begin this summer. The meeting will be held at six p.m. Thursday, July six at the Geneva Public Works Department, one thousand eight hundred South St. People should come in through the door on the east side of the building. City staff will give an overview of the construction projects on tap, and the audience will have an chance to ask questions. Generally, the Street Improvement Program will take place inbetween July and October. A project map can be found on the City’s website. Richards Street, Stevens Street and the parking lot at the southwest corner of Hamilton and 2nd streets will be reconstructed. Jefferson Street inbetween School and Bennett streets will have all the curb as well as much of the sidewalk and deteriorated drainage structures liquidated and substituted. State Street inbetween Simpson and Kansas streets will be patched. All other projects will include street resurfacing along with spot repairs of the sidewalk and curb. During road construction, there will be partial closings periodically. Streets that are being resurfaced should remain open to motorists, but traffic to budge much slower through the work zones. People are encouraged to find alternate routes when possible. Residents will be notified in advance before the City’s contractor starts working on their street, and team members also will knock on doors before driveways are disturbed. Garbage collection and mail delivery shall remain on the normal schedule during construction. People who cannot attend the July six meeting can call Civil Engineer Elton Orozco at 630-232-1279, send him an email or visit the City’s street program webpage for more information. Residents and merchants also can subscribe to receive regular road construction updates via the City’s website to stay on top of our progress.

Geneva Cultural Arts Commission Furthers Vision Of Community Arts Center

The vision of creating a community arts center in Geneva grows brighter as funding for the future project resumes to build momentum. The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission will transfer $40,000 to the Geneva Foundation for the Arts as an endowment for a community arts center. Geneva’s City Council approved the transfer of funds at its June nineteen meeting. The money being transferred was raised through generous donations, sponsorships, conformity fees and tickets sales to Cultural Arts Commission events. In 2013, the Geneva Foundation for the Arts was formed as a 501c(Trio) non-profit organization to work hand-in-hand with the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. The Foundation’s vision is to establish an endowment to support major cultural arts projects and a community arts center in Geneva. Two years ago, the Commission gathered community leaders and representatives from several local organizations to develop a business plan for a community arts center. To help form the comprehensive strategy, the team researched almost fifty centers in other cities to determine successful business models. The Geneva plan can be viewed on the Commission’s website.  Geneva’s arts center will be a place that fosters cultural enrichment through exhibitions, spectacles, and classes. Operation and management of the arts center will be undertaken by the Foundation with the Commission continuing to play a vital supporting role. Both groups are working together to secure a future arts center location. The Commission’s contribution to the arts center endowment is made possible by money raised at annual fundraisers and events, such as the Geneva Film Festival and Steeple Walk. In addition to the endowment, funds also are used to support free events including the upcoming RiverPark Summer Concert Series on Sunday July 9, July sixteen and July twenty three and Shakespeare in the Park Saturday, July 15. The Commission also supports public art with various programs, including bus stop art, functional bike rack sculptures and painted fire hydrants. For more information about the Cultural Arts Commission, visit the advisory board’s website or call 630-938-4530.

Geneva Volunteer Appointed Fresh City Clerk

Roger Godskesen has always prided himself on volunteering to help others. Now, he will be dedicating his time and talents to the community that he loves as Geneva’s fresh City Clerk. Mayor Kevin Burns appointed Godskesen with the advice and consent of aldermen at the June nineteen Geneva City Council meeting. Godskesen fills the vacant seat previously held by Lynn Landberg, who did not seek another term in office this spring after serving a combined twenty years during two different stints. The City Clerk attends all City Council meetings – and others as required – and prepares total records of those meetings. Mayor Burns selected Godskesen out of a pool of six candidates who applied for the position. The term of the appointment will run through May Trio, 2021. “The City was pleased to receive a strong and epic response to the call for candidates,” Mayor Burns said. “We are honored that Mr. Godskesen has accepted our invitation to serve and are certain he will do so with professionalism and efficiency.” Godskesen was a computer programmer for the U.S. Army at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. for two years during the Vietnam War. He spent the next four decades in the information technology management field working for such employers as McDonald’s Corp. and Very first Options Chicago/Goldman-Sachs. Having lived in the Chicago area all his life, Godskesen moved to Geneva in 2006. He is an active community volunteer with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and as a Fabyan Villa tour guide for Preservation Playmates of the Fox Valley. Previously, he was a volunteer medical support director at Soldiers’ Angels, a non-profit agency responsible for providing assistance to American military units across Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters of operation. “When I was growing up, my parents instilled in their children the value of helping others whenever we could,” Godskesen said. “I have attempted to honor their ideals by becoming a Scout Leader, organizing the shipment of care packages to support military medical units during the wars in the Middle East and volunteering with the local food bank. My wifey and I love the unique history and culture of living in Geneva. When I eyed the notice for a City Clerk, I determined this would be a role in which I could contribute to our City.” The City Clerk’s annual salary is $Three,600. Official minutes from Geneva’s City Council meetings, along with advisory board meetings, can be found on the City’s website.

Geneva Garbage Collection Rates Increase In July

Geneva residents should take notice that garbage collection rates will be adjusted beginning Saturday, July one as part of the City’s contract with Advanced Disposition. A garbage sticker will now cost $Three.40. However, people who purchased stickers at the previous rate of $Trio.25 can use their remaining supply without paying the difference through June 30, 2018. Prices for the three available turn down carts also will increase about a dollar per billing cycle, according to the contract. Garbage collection the week of July three will be shoved back one day later than normal due to the Independence Day holiday. For more information about Geneva’s turn down and recycling program, visit the City’s website or call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

City To Pressure Wash Third Street Commuter Parking Deck

The Third Street Commuter parking deck in downtown Geneva will be getting a spring cleaning the week of June Nineteen. Overnight parking is prohibited, but the deck will be closing an hour earlier than normal so the facility can be cleaned from eleven p.m. to four a.m. Monday to Friday, June nineteen to 23. People should eliminate their cars from the garage prior to closing each night. The deck will be open for business as normal each morning for daily fee parking for commuters, visitors and downtown Swedish Day patrons. For more information about parking in Geneva, visit the City’s website.

Take Note Of City’s Lawn Watering Schedule

Sprinklers will be out in force to help keep lawns green with temperatures climbing into the 90s this week. As Geneva residents plan their summer watering schedules, they should take note of the City’s sprinkler regulations. Water sprinklers are permitted inbetween six to nine a.m. and six to nine p.m. on designated days. Residents with an even-numbered street address can water their lawns on even-numbered days and vice-versa for odd-numbered addresses. People are permitted to use a hand-held hosepipe at any time to water flowers, gardens, trees, shrubs, cars, lawns and wading pools that are fifty gallons or less. For those placing down sod or watering seed, a $25 permit is required through the Public Works Department, one thousand eight hundred South St. Sod and seed lawns can be watered for the very first day for a maximum of eight hours. During the next nine consecutive days, the lawn can be watered from six to nine a.m. and six to nine p.m. Afterward, the property possessor must abide by the City’s regular lawn watering schedule. For more information, including water conservation tips, visit the City’s website or call the Geneva Public Works Department Water Division at 630-232-1551.

Geneva Encourages Residents To Participate In Voluntary Electrical Blast Reduction Program

With warm summer weather injecting the forecast, Geneva residents can provide some ease to the City’s electrified operations – and their own utility bills – by reducing their power consumption for a few hours in the afternoon. The City offers a voluntary electrified fountain reduction program to all customers by alerting them via Twitter and our website to cut down power usage during peak hours of the day. The program is rigorously voluntary, has no penalties and requires no reporting or tracking of usage. The benefits of reducing energy are making Geneva a greener community and keeping future electrified costs down. The Geneva electrical system has slew of capacity and reserve to serve all its customers. People wanting timely updates of when to reduce electric current consumption in a home or business during peak power days can: Go after the City’s Twitter account @CityofGeneva Visit the City’s website, click the “Notify Me” button, and subscribe to the “Peak Power Day Alerts” in the “Alert Center.” After an alert has been issued, the easiest ways customers can reduce electrified use is by adjusting their thermostats a few degrees, running major appliances later in the evening and turning off unused lights. During an average summer, the City will issue about twenty alerts to customers. For more information, visit the City’s website or call the Public Works Department Electrical Division at 630-232-1503.

Geneva’s Summer Concert Series Brings Family Joy Along The Fox Sea

Grab a lawn chair, blanket or even bring a picnic dinner to love three free nights of entertainment along the Fox Sea during the RiverPark Summer Concert Series. The ninth annual Summer Concert Series will be held at six p.m. Sundays, July 9, July sixteen and July twenty three at RiverPark, located at North Sea Lane and Peyton Street just north of State Street. The programs, which will take place at the park’s stone amphitheater, are sponsored by the City of Geneva’s Cultural Arts Commission. The Victory Travelers open the series July 9. The quartet accompanied with electrified guitar, trumpet, saxophone and drums perform gospel music with excitement and vocal power. Some of the songs are “deep and bluesy as if they are from the Deep South.” Introducing the Victory Travelers is Robert Marovic, founder of Journal of Gospel Music. Back by popular request is the Geneva Jazz Ensemble on July 16. Under the direction of Geneva High School graduate Christopher Werve, the 18-piece jazz band plays classic big band music. On July 23, The Need To Be Seen Radio Troupe takes the audience back when radio drama and comedy ruled the airwaves. Entertaining crowds in the Fox Valley for the past seven years, the Troupe’s unique act makes people use their imagination to picture the act listening to various voices and sound effects. All spectacles are free of charge, but donations to the Cultural Arts Commission are always welcome. In case of inclement weather, spectacles will be moved inwards to the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church of Geneva, two hundred eleven Hamilton St.  For more information about the RiverPark Summer Concert Series or the Cultural Arts Commission, visit www.genevarts.org or call 630-938-4530.

Cultural Arts Commission Seeking Fresh Member

Geneva residents with a passion for the arts are encouraged to apply for an opening on the City’s Cultural Arts Commission. Formed in 2006, the commission supports a multiplicity of arts programming including Shakespeare in the Park, Steeple Walk, RiverPark Concert Series and the Geneva Film Festival. In addition to events, the advisory board is committed to advancing art initiatives and raising awareness for arts in the community. The nine-member commission meets at seven p.m. on the very first Thursday of every month. Residents wanting to serve on this advisory board should submit an application along with a one-page letter of interest to Mayor Kevin Burns, Geneva City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St., Geneva, IL 60134. The envelope should reference the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. The application deadline is Friday, July 14. All interested parties are encouraged to apply, especially those with practice in the arts, media, marketing, fundraising, event planning, or consensus building. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the position: Live within the corporate boundaries of the City of Geneva; Be a legal U.S. citizen; Be a registered voter; Have no felony convictions; and Be current on taxes and payments to the City. The successful candidate for the Cultural Arts Commission will be appointed by Mayor Burns with the advice and consent of the City Council. An application and more information about each board can be found on the City’s website. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Commission Chairman Tim Vetang at 630-232-4051 or email [email protected].

Arts Fair Coming To Downtown This Summer

For sixteen years, the juried Geneva Arts Fair has risen in attendance and notoriety. People can now mark their calendars for the latest incarnation, which will take place from ten a.m. to five p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23 on South Third Street in the downtown. The fine arts display showcases over one hundred fifty five fine artisans from around the country in a host of mediums. Historic downtown Geneva serves as a picturesque backdrop for the outdoor fine arts demonstrate that has been voted one of the top two hundred Best Art Fairs nationwide by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This prestigious demonstrate includes free art activities for children of all ages. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, visitors can love stunning displays of artistry for free.  Geneva merchants and restaurants will also be providing guests with sales, food and wine specials, creating two utter days of sensory pleasure. If you are interested in becoming a patron of the Arts for Geneva Arts Fair, visit the Chamber’s website for extra information. Located just forty miles west of Chicago, the display is lightly accessible via Metra West Line or the interstate.  For more information, call the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060 or visit its website. News Release Courtesy Of The Geneva Chamber Of Commerce

Geneva NRC Hosting Open House Regarding Wisconsin-Illinois Fox Sea Trail Initiative

The City of Geneva Natural Resources Committee is inviting the community to an open house in June regarding regional efforts to secure a national water trail designation for the Fox Sea. Local water enthusiasts have been working closely with the Fox Sea Ecosystem Partnership to pursue a National Park Service Waterway Trail designation for all two hundred miles of the sea in Wisconsin and Illinois. The National Water Trails System is a network of water trails the public can explore and love. The Geneva open house will be held at seven p.m. Wednesday, June seven at City Hall Council Chambers, one hundred nine James St. Kane County Executive Planner Karen Miller will give a presentation about her involvement, along with the Partnership and other water organizations, regarding the progress accomplished to date and future endeavors to secure the national designation. Geneva residents also can learn how to become involved in the effort by charting portions of the Fox Sea to collect access site, dam and segment data that could be highlighted on maps and other documents. The National Water Trails System serves to bring existing and freshly identified water ways together into one cohesive national network. For more information regarding the open house, contact Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jay Womack at 630-299-9945 or by email at [email protected]. People can learn more about Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee by visiting the City’s website or on Facebook. More information about the Fox Sea trail initiative can be found on the Fox Sea Ecosystem Partnership’s website.

Candidates Sought For Vacant City Clerk Seat

After the April four consolidated election garnered no filings for the office of City Clerk, the City of Geneva is now seeking candidates for that seat. Lynn Landberg served a combined twenty years as Geneva’s City Clerk from 1985-93 and again from two thousand five until this year before determining not to seek another term in office. The City Clerk attends all City Council meetings (and others as required) and prepares total records of those meetings. The City Clerk’s annual salary is $Trio,600, and the term for this unfilled position runs through May Three, 2021. Geneva residents interested in serving as City Clerk should submit an application, a current resume and a letter of interest to Mayor Kevin Burns, City of Geneva, twenty two S. Very first St., Geneva, IL 60134; Attn: City Clerk Vacancy. The deadline is Thursday, June 1. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the position: Have resided within the corporate boundaries of the City of Geneva for at least one year prior to appointment; Be a legal U.S. citizen; Be a registered voter; Have no felony convictions; and Be current on taxes and payments to the City. In addition, the Government Ethics Act requires a statement of economic interest to be filed by the City Clerk with the Kane County Clerk’s Office. The successful candidate for City Clerk will be appointed by Mayor Burns with the advice and consent of the City Council. The Volunteer Board Application can be found on the City’s website. Questions may be directed to City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins at 630-232-8495.

Scheduled Water Rate Increase Coming In May

Geneva’s residential, business and industrial water and sewer customers should take note that scheduled annual rate increases will occur embarking with their May utility bills. To be in compliance with fresh state regulations, Geneva had to adjust its rates to help pay for an anticipated $12 million in improvements to its Wastewater Treatment Plant. An average residential water user (700 cubic feet per month) will see an increase of $Four from $63 to $67 on their next combined water and sewer bill. The chart below outlines how the scheduled increases will influence customers going forward: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is mandating all wastewater plants along the Fox Sea limit the amount of phosphorous being discharged into the water. Work at the Geneva Wastewater Treatment Plant is scheduled to begin this year. The extra revenue also will provide the City with a dedicated funding source for future water and sewer capital projects such as water main replacement and sanitary sewer rehabilitation. After assessing the needed improvements in 2015, the City Council approved phasing in the rate increase across the board to all its customers during the next several years.  Total rate information is available on the City’s website. Questions can be directed to the City’s Public Works Department Water Division at 630-232-1551.

Swedish Days Entertainment Lineup Announced

Geneva Chamber of Commerce’s 68th annual Swedish Days Festival supported by Northwestern Medicine runs from June 20-25 in downtown Geneva and has an array of talent that offers something for every type of music fan at three different venues.  “Bringing a mix of genres and styles to the festivals is always top of mind. I believe everyone will be pleased with the line-up this year. All our performers are first-timers to Central Stage,” noted Jean Gaines, President of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.  Just attempt not to sing along and dance when Boy Band Night performs Tuesday evening at eight p.m.  Paying homage to everything that is boy bands, covering N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, Fresh Kids, Boyz two Fellows, One Direction and more.    Wednesday evening’s Central Stage entertainment will begin at Five:30 p.m. as the Swedish American Children’s Choir takes the stage to perform songs from Sweden with sweet sounding voices. The group is Illinois’ largest Swedish Children’s Chorus for ages 5-14. At 6:30 p.m. the semifinalists from “Geneva’s Got Talent” will perform. Stick around after for Rosie & The Rivets, who will be performing the best music of the 50s and 60s.  This is not your typical bunch of oldies playing oldies. At eight p.m. on Thursday we welcome 1976, as they take you back to a decade that switched rock music forever. Featuring masculine & female vocals, two outstanding guitarists and a sweeping rhythm section these six outstanding musicians authentically recreate all your favorites by bands & musicians from that era.  Friday night opens with South Shore Drill team. You’ve seen their unique marching style in our parade, now practice their talents on the stage. Next up are guys who have collective the stage with numerous music legends, including but not limited to Whitesnake, The Romantics, Poison, Drivin’n’Cryin’, Hootie and The Blowfish, White Lion, The Smithereens, Edwin McCain, and many others. The Breakfast Club is the longest running, most recognized ’80’s tribute band in the United States. Formed in 1993, the group was the very first of its kind. This is real hair, real 1980s clothes, real vocals, and real musical talent. The Breakfast Club is the real deal, performing live ‘80’s pop. On Saturday, don’t miss “Geneva’s Got Talent” finalists commencing at six p.m. The evening entertainment resumes at eight p.m. when for the very first time at Swedish Days, The Four C Notes take the stage. Having appeared across the United States, The Four C Notes are quickly becoming the country’s premier Frankie Valli tribute and they’re not to be missed. Four guys, brainy choreography, and headliner John Michael Coppola’s spectacles with Jersey Boys musical, give The Four C Notes an authenticity to their spectacle that similar tribute groups simply cannot match…anywhere. If you have some time around lunch, don’t miss “Concerts on the Lawn.” This ever popular midday musical event is held 1-3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday. The line-up includes the talents of Austin Chione, Dennis O’Brien, The Reserve and The Thompson Duo. Saturday and Sunday get your Swede on as singers, dancers and musicians perform at Sweden Väst. All evening concerts will be held at the Central Stage and Concerts on the Lawn are during the day in front of the courthouse. Both venues are on Third & James streets. Sweden Väst entertainment takes place on the corner of Fourth & State streets. Central Stage is introduced by Gerald Auto Group and co-sponsored by the Geneva Park District, Inland Bank and Kane County Chronicle. Festival brochures will be available in May at the Geneva Chamber office, eight S. Third St., many shops/restaurants around town and online on the Chamber’s website. News Release Courtesy Of The Geneva Chamber Of Commerce

City Thanks Outgoing Aldermen, Welcomes Freshly Elected City Council Members

The City of Geneva has three fresh faces joining the City Council after winners of the April four consolidated election were officially sworn in May 1. Prior to the Oath of Office ceremony, the City voiced its gratitude to several outgoing City Council members for their dedication to the community. Officials completing their terms (including years of service) are Alderman Ron Singer, one thousand nine hundred ninety seven to 2017; Alderman Tom Simonian, 2013-2017; Alderman Mary Seno, 2014-2017; and City Clerk Lynn Landberg, 1985-93 and 2005-2017. The Honorable Allen Anderson, retired associate judge of the Illinois 16th Judicial Court, presided over the Oath of Office ceremony for seven officials that won four-year terms last month. The City Council members who officially took their seats include: Mayor Kevin Burns Very first Ward Alderman Mike Bruno 2nd Ward Alderman Richard Marks, Third Ward Alderman Becky Hruby, Fourth Ward Alderman Jeanne McGowan, Fifth Ward Alderman Robert Swanson City Treasurer Patrick McQueeny Contact information for all Geneva City Council members can be found on our website.

City Of Geneva Flag Lowered In Memory Of Jamie Daniel

The Geneva City flag has been lowered to half-staff outside City Hall in memory of Jamie Daniel, who died May two at age 95. A retired Realtor, Ms. Daniel was very active in Geneva, including with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva History Museum. She also was a recipient of the Chamber’s prestigious Wood Award, which honors an individual who has made significant community contributions in the areas of business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, arts, recreation, charity or government. “Jamie’s generous spirit, admiration for Geneva and her tireless efforts to enhance and advance our community’s promise and reputation was profound,” Mayor Kevin Burns said. The flag will remain at half-staff through Monday, May 8. The City voices its condolences to the Daniel family on their loss.

Retiring City Clerk Landberg named two thousand seventeen Swedish Days Parade Marshal

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Lynn Landberg has been named two thousand seventeen Swedish Days Parade Marshal.  “Wow. I never expected this. I’m truly honored to be in the company of so many excellent Genevans who have served as honorary parade marshals in the past. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for this chance,” stated Landberg. Landberg is a life-long Geneva resident. He was the fourth generation to go through the Geneva school system, ending at Geneva High School in 1962. After graduating with a Communications degree from the University of Illinois, he wrote for several trade publications. In 2003, after thirty years, he retired from Reed Business Information as editor of Construction Equipment magazine. Raising a family in Geneva was always a given for Landberg. Marrying his high-school sweetheart, they raised their family in the same home for forty five years. During that time Landberg was active in school PTO’s and Booster Clubs. Later his writing prowess was utilized, contributing to a Geneva High School alumni newsletter in the early 2000s.  “I grew up in Geneva, as did my parents and many other relatives who went to Geneva schools, and, along with my wifey Vicky, who also grew up here, raised our kids here. This is home, the only one I’ve known, and I’ve always given Geneva my total support, and dreamed to do what I could to do my part in making it the superb community it is.” In the 70s Geneva Mayor, Bert Wood, appointed him to the Economic Development Committee, working on the formation of the very first TIF district. In 1979, Mayor Wood then appointed him to the Plan Commission, where he served for six years. In 1985, at the urging of his father, he ran and won the City Clerk position, serving two terms. His father, Harold Landberg, had served as City Clerk in the 60s. In 2005, he ran again for City Clerk and after a combined twenty years on the City Council, retired this year.   In addition to his civic contributions, the Geneva History Museum has been fortunate to be a recipient of Landberg’s volunteerism and Geneva skill. This year marks twelve years that he has worked the front desk, told stories of growing up in Geneva to be preserved, assisted with mailings and welcomed visitors to Geneva History Museum and Geneva. “I’m a modest man, and never considered myself a frontline mover or shaker, but felt that I could best serve Geneva working behind the scenes – helping where I could, but staying out of the limelight,” says Landberg.  Landberg’s hometown pride will shine brightly as he leads the two thousand seventeen Swedish Days Grand Parade on June 25. “I can’t believe that I’m getting recognition like this. It’s humbling.”  The Swedish Days Festival supported by Northwestern Medicine runs June 20-25. Brochures will be available around Geneva beginning of June. News Release Courtesy Of The Geneva Chamber Of Commerce

Police: Put Down The Phone, Keep Eyes On The Road

When driving, the Geneva Police Department has a ordinary request: Keep your attention focused on the road because that latest text message or social media post can wait. Geneva Police is joining compels with almost three hundred state and local law enforcement agencies for Illinois’ inaugural Dissipated Driving Awareness Week April twenty four to twenty eight to highlight the dangers and consequences associated with these deeds. Dissipated driving occurs when motorists divert their attention from the road to texting, reading emails, communicating with friends on social media or talking on the phone without a hands-free device. Dissipated driving enforcement is always of fine importance to the Geneva Police Department, but officers will be putting an even greater emphasis on these violations next week across the City. “This behavior is enormously dangerous and poses a significant risk to the driver, their passengers and pedestrians,” Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “Our objective in this enforcement is to educate those dispersed drivers to prevent a tragic, life-altering accident. We greatly appreciate partnering with the public for this significant safety initiative.” In 2016, Geneva Police cited seventy one people for unlawful use of their phone or electronic device while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: More than Three,400 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving dispelled drivers in 2015. That is a nine percent increase in fatalities compared to the previous year. About ten percent of fatal crashes, fifteen percent of injury crashes and fourteen percent of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes in two thousand fifteen were classified as distraction-affected accidents. Texting while driving has become an especially problematic trend among millennials. Youthfull drivers, sixteen to twenty four years old, have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. SafetyServe.com is suggesting a brief dispersed driving online course, at no cost, during Dissipated Driving Awareness Week to those who visit the Illinois Association of Chiefs Of Police Traffic Safety website. Please help the Geneva Police Department and our law enforcement playmates keep our roadways safe for everyone.

Geneva Named Tree City USA Community, More Plantings Scheduled For This Spring

Geneva has been going green seventeen years and counting. The Arbor Day Foundation has once again named Geneva a “Tree City USA” community for our commitment to effective urban forest management. The City’s growing tree canopy earned the distinction by meeting four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $Two per capita on urban forestry and an Arbor Day observance. This month, the City will begin its spring planting program that will include more than one hundred fresh parkway trees across Geneva. Helping contribute to the cause, the City of Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee raised more than $23,000 during another successful Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser held March Four. The money has been pledged to pay for more parkway trees to be planted in downtown Geneva. Through 2016, the Committee has donated $40,000 to the City to purchase and plant almost seventy five fresh trees. Thank you to all the Wine, Cheese & Trees participants’ generous donations and contributing to make Geneva a greener community. People interested in a fresh parkway tree should visit the City’s website to learn more about our cost-sharing program.

Businesses, City Help Breathe Fresh Life Into 75-Year-Old Building In Downtown Geneva

MyNosh LLC, a collaboration inbetween Nosh Restaurant and My Salon, will be revitalizing a longtime vacant building at twenty two N. Third St. Built in 1942, the downtown property has been empty since two thousand eight and is in need of a diversity of service and façade upgrades. The Geneva City Council approved a sales tax sharing agreement in March to assist with the costs of upgrading utilities and retrofitting the structure. The project entails a $1.8 million investment that will result in the retention and expansion of jobs, help anchor the North Third Street corridor and strengthen the City’s commercial tax base. Nosh has been bringing fresh, flavorful food to Geneva since two thousand seven at two hundred eleven James St. The fresh location will suggest expanded seating, both indoors and outdoors. “We’re looking forward to the chance to bring the Nosh vibe that our customers love to the fresh, fatter location, along with a revamped menu and a fresh look,” Possessor Mike Dixon said. “We’re calling it Nosh Two.0.” My Salon, presently located in St. Charles, will bring its contemporary atmosphere and modern treatment to the west end of the building. Possessor Tom Stuart remarked “20 years ago when I began doing hair, I embarked in Geneva. Now I’m coming back home.” Nosh and My Salon are expected to open their fresh location this summer.

Come Make Your Mark On Geneva During The ‘Art On Fire’ Hydrant Design Contest

Geneva will once again be suggesting local artists a unique canvas – our fire hydrants – to showcase their creative spirit this spring.  The City, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission, is seeking artists to adopt and paint fire hydrants across the community. More than seventy hydrants have been painted the past four years as part of “Art on Fire,” and the program has been well-received by residents and visitors who have taken notice of the artwork in the downtown and surrounding areas. With more than 1,800 fire hydrants across Geneva, slew of “blank canvas” remains for artists to submit fresh entries this spring. “Art on Fire” was established by Mayor Kevin Burns in two thousand thirteen as a way to showcase Geneva’s artistic talent and bring art into the community. “The ‘Art on Fire’ program is evidence that Geneva’s creative spirit cannot be extinguished,” Mayor Burns said. The program is free and open to the public, but participants need to submit an application to the City by Friday, May 12. The application can be found on the City’s website or picked up at Geneva City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St.  “Art on Fire” does not mandate a specific theme, but the program encourages artists to incorporate the character of the hydrant’s surrounding environment into their design. City staff reviews and approves all application designs to make sure they do not compromise the visibility of the hydrants for firefighters in an emergency. Artists will be permitted to paint their hydrants during May and June. The City’s Public Arts Advisory Committee and Cultural Arts Commission will again judge the hydrants and award prizes to the top three design winners this summer. People can take a virtual tour of all the decorated hydrants on an interactive map posted on the City’s website. The map will be updated this summer to include all the two thousand seventeen submissions.

Catch Up On The Latest Geneva Happenings In The City’s Newsletter

Who loves spring in Geneva? There are slew of reasons why you should listed in our latest quarterly City newsletter. Readers will find City Council election results, why Geneva was named “The Best in the West,” business news, electronics recycling information, our fresh interactive online development map, hydrant flushing details, events and much more. The City’s online newsletter was distributed April 7. If you would like to subscribe to our quarterly newsletter or weekly GenevaMail eblast, visit our City Communications webpage.

Geneva Earth Day Celebration Scheduled For April 22

Families will be celebrating ten years of going green in Geneva with another fun-filled Earth Day event in store Saturday, April twenty two at Peck Farm Park, four thousand thirty eight Kaneville Road. The Earth Day festivities, which will be held from eleven a.m. to three p.m., are sponsored by the City’s Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District. Residents can purchase rain barrels, receive a bicycle safety check, learn best green practices from vendors, shred documents for free, drop off clean No. Six Styrofoam and pick up a free tomato plant. Stop by the Geneva Public Library’s table for the “take a book or leave a book” program. The “reading green” idea asks people to bring a gently used book from home and exchange it for another used book of their choice. People also can clean out their closets by recycling their boots with Jolly Old Feet, which provides fresh and used footwear to local organizations helping needy families. US Again will accept old textiles at the Earth Day event. No rugs or carpets will be accepted. Electronics recycling will occur this year at the event through the Kane County Recycles program. All monitors will be accepted at a cost of $25 or $35 each based on size. Cash payments only will be accepted. Other Earth Day highlights include a puny petting zoo, chalk art, children’s activities, chair massages and more. Families also are invited to walk Peck Farm to love the natural surroundings. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information about Earth Day, call the Geneva Park District at 630-262-8244 or visit their website. People can learn more about Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee by visiting the City’s website or the group’s Facebook page.

City Mourns The Loss Of Longtime Public Works Employee Gary Paris

The City of Geneva is mourning the loss of Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Gary Paris, who died unexpectedly April four at his Maple Park home.  Paris, 60, had been employed with the City for twenty nine years in Geneva’s Public Works Department. He spent the past twelve years overseeing and maintaining the municipality’s entire 198-vehicle and equipment fleet spanning across all departments. “Gary was one of the hidden assets of the City. He worked to ensure there was never a chunk of equipment out of service that we needed to get the job done,” Public Works Director Rich Babica said. “When fifteen out of fifteen snow plows are ready to do the job time in and time out, that meant the world to us. He added a excellent deal of stability to the City by keeping our vehicles running to meet the needs of the public, and his expertise will be greatly missed.” Hired in 1988, Paris began his employment with the City as a Maintenance Department Mechanic. He was promoted twice, very first to Chief Mechanic in one thousand nine hundred ninety four and later to Fleet Maintenance Supervisor in 2006. Paris also was ASE-certified as a Master Automobile Technician by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Besides vehicle maintenance, Paris also serviced the backup power generators at City Hall, the Police Department, Public Works and the City’s water utility. Prior to joining Geneva, Paris worked as an auto mechanic at the Batavia Citgo and Batavia Standard stations.  City leaders are reaching out to the Paris family to provide them with any assistance they may need. The City also has arranged for distress counselors to be available for employees to help cope with this difficult news. A wake is scheduled from one to four p.m. Sunday, April nine at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn. A brief service will take place at four p.m. Interment will be private.  The City of Geneva flag will proceed to fly at half-staff in remembrance of Paris. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his family, friends and co-workers.

Geneva Residents Elect Fresh City Council Members

Geneva residents headed to the polls April four to cast their vote in the two thousand seventeen Consolidated Election, which included leadership on the City Council. People can find unofficial vote totals on the Kane County Elections website. Thank you to all the candidates for running for office. The winners will officially embark their fresh terms during the Monday, May one City Council meeting.

Geneva To Flush Fire Hydrants This Spring

The City of Geneva will be flushing fire hydrants across the community for a four-week period kicking off Monday, April ten as part of an ongoing maintenance program. Hydrants will be flushed from eight a.m. to three p.m. Monday to Friday. The water is safe to drink, but residents are encouraged to let their faucets run for a few minutes if they notice any discoloration. People are urged to limit their water use if possible and refrain from washing their clothes during this time period to avoid staining from rusty water. In the event rusty water discolors clothing, residents should keep their laundry humid and call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501 to request a rust-removing solution packet. Signs will be placed in neighborhoods to remind residents that the program is underway in their area. Residents also can view the hydrant flushing progress on the City’s website or on Twitter. Work is expected to be ended in early May, weather permitting. The City flushes its hydrants twice a year to improve the overall quality of the water by cleaning the water mains of rust and corrosion and to ensure that all fire hydrants are working decently. For more information, contact Bob Van Gyseghem, City Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, at 630-232-1551 or via email at [email protected].

Residents Can Subscribe To Receive Geneva Development Project Notifications

Residents have asked for more advanced notice about fresh subdivisions and businesses being proposed in Geneva. Now, the City has delivered. The City has created an interactive online map of proposed development projects that require a public hearing before the Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and/or the Zoning Board of Appeals. Once a residential, commercial or industrial plan has been submitted to the City for review, people will find it pinned to the map with the following information: Project name Applicant name Property address Ward Project description Pic of the proposed development Project status The map will be updated regularly as a particular project moves through the development process. For example, a project status would be modified from “Plan Commission public hearing is scheduled for seven p.m. April thirteen at City Hall” to “Plan Commission recommended approval on April 13, and the project is scheduled for consideration by the Committee of the Entire at seven p.m. April twenty four at City Hall.” The map is available on the City’s website by selecting the “Development Projects” link on the left-hand side of the screen. Interested parties may sign up to receive email alerts via the City’s “Notify Me” website feature when the map is updated. A valid email address is required to receive notifications. People also can subscribe for updates through our “Go Geneva” mobile app by selecting “Notify Me.” For those wanting more information, total project plans are posted in the City’s website “Agenda Center” a few days prior to meetings. The City is proud to suggest another way for property owners to be informed of proposed developments in the community. 

City Flag Lowered To Half-Staff For Longtime Geneva Contributor

The City of Geneva flag outside City Hall has been lowered in honor of longtime Geneva resident Bernard “Bernie” Naughton, who passed away March twenty five at age 87. Mr. Naughton was an U.S. Army veteran and a retired letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. He also served as the athletic director and coach at St. Peter Catholic School in Geneva, coach for Geneva Park District basketball and baseball teams, high school baseball umpire and as a mentor to children across the Tri-Cities. The flag will remain lowered through Monday, April Three. A moment of muffle will be held in Mr. Naughton’s honor prior to the begin of the Geneva City Council meeting that evening. The City would like to express its condolences to the Naughton family. An obituary can be found online.

Kane County To Substitute Guardrail On Fabyan Parkway

Work on the annual Kane County road repair program that will include portions of Fabyan Parkway in Geneva is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, April Trio. The project will consist of substituting the guardrail on Fabyan Parkway inbetween Western Avenue and Randall Road. The fresh guardrail will meet the current Illinois Department of Transportation safety requirements. Construction work hours will be from seven a.m. until four p.m. Monday to Friday. The entire County program, which includes road resurfacing and guardrail work on five different roadways, is anticipated to take approximately five months to finish, weather permitting.  Fabyan Parkway will remain open during construction, but will be diminished to one lane of travel using makeshift daily lane closures and flaggers. Motorists should expect delays while traveling through the work areas and may want to add extra time to their commutes. Motorists must reduce their speed, see for construction workers and vehicles coming in or leaving the site, and obey flaggers and other traffic control devices within the work zone. Please consider the use of alternate routes while this work is being ended.   A reminder – it is illegal for drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving through a highway construction work zone. Questions and concerns may be directed to Patrick VerHalen, Kane County Division of Transportation, at 630-208-3138. For all Kane County Traffic Advisories, visit the County’s website. News Release Courtesy Of The Kane County Division Of Transportation

City Earns Trifecta Of Financial Reporting Achievements

Geneva’s financial reporting and transparency efforts have culminated in its third national award in 2017, the latest for the City’s very first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada introduced the award to Geneva at the March twenty City Council meeting. The award indicates the highest form of recognition in the field of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The PAFR was created to help Geneva residents and stakeholders who wished to learn more about the City’s fiscal health but might find the idea of reading the 200-page Comprehensive Annual Financial Report a daunting task. The 14-page, visually-friendly audit summary is packed with photos and graphs suggesting readers a better understanding of the complexities of government finances as well as: • Population/Census data • Top area employers • City government organization chart • Sales tax rates • Property assessments & tax bill details. The PAFR award is bestowed to less than 0.Five percent of governments across the country and represents the trifecta of Geneva’s national financial reporting achievements. Earlier this year, Geneva earned its seventh consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and fourth straight Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Award for the annual audit. The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit organization serving about 17,500 government finance professionals. Geneva’s budget and financial reports can be found on the City’s website under the “Government Transparency” link.

The Readers Have Spoken: Geneva Is The ‘Best Of The West’

Readers of “West Suburban Living” Magazine once again ranked Geneva as the premier community for dining, shopping and festivals as part of its two thousand seventeen “Best of the West” contest. Geneva was named the top city readers would most like to live (other than choosing their hometown). No other municipality has earned that distinction as many times as Geneva during the magazine’s two decades of competition. Geneva also was selected as the area’s third best “Weekend Getaway” behind Galena and Lake Geneva, Wis. Festival of the Vine and Swedish Days won very first place and honorable mention respectively for “Best Fair or Festival” while the Geneva Arts Fair finished 2nd for “Best Craft or Art Fair” by readers. The Geneva French Market earned third place for “Best Farmers Market.” Numerous restaurants, stores (along with Geneva Commons), attractions and more were recognized as some of the best in the western suburbs. You can view the entire “West Suburban Living” Magazine voter survey online. Thank you to the residents, merchants, Geneva Chamber of Commerce and uncountable stakeholders who all work hard to make Geneva a fine place to live.

Yard Waste, Brush Programs Embark In April

For residents who have taken advantage of the mild winter weather to get a head begin on their spring yard work, their very first chance to dispose of yard waste and brush will be April, per the City’s deny contract. Residents who have put out yard waste bags with turn down stickers at the curb in March will need to store them in their garage until their normal garbage day Thursday, April six or Friday, April 7. Yard waste will subsequently be collected weekly through November. A list of acceptable items that can discarded in yard waste bags with stickers can be found on the City’s website. The monthly brush program is intended for the disposition of tree limbs and branches that are liquidated by the property holder for normal maintenance and upkeep, not for lot clearing. The City’s vendor will not collect material produced by a private contractor. Brush collection will take place the weeks of: West Side Of The Fox Sea April three May one June five July three Aug. Seven Sept. Four Oct. Two Nov. Six East Side Of The Fox Sea April ten May eight June twelve July ten Aug. Fourteen Sept. Eleven Oct. Nine Nov. Thirteen Since collection days can vary, residents should place brush and limbs on the parkway by seven a.m. Monday on their scheduled week. Crews will not come back to a neighborhood until the next scheduled pickup. Tree branches must be stacked with the cut completes facing in one direction toward the curb or edge of the pavement – not in the street. Branches and stumps cannot exceed twelve inches in diameter, and tree limbs should be less than twelve feet in length. Residents should not tie bundles of branches with strap or wire. No foreign materials, such as construction debris, fencing, lumber, wire, grass clippings, flowers, and garden waste will be collected. For more information about the yard waste and brush collection services, visit the City’s website or call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

UPDATE: Curbside Leaf Pickup Postponed To March twenty Due To Snow

Update – March fourteen The City of Geneva hopes the third time is the charm to conduct a special curbside leaf collection after snow scuttled pickup plans this week. The collection, which is being held for two-thirds of Geneva residents who did not receive a special fourth pickup last fall, will now take place the week of March twenty for the following areas: •    Zone A – East of the Fox Sea •    Zone C – West of the Fox Sea, south of Route thirty eight or south of Kaneville Road and south of Keslinger Road. Residents living in these zones should have their leaves raked to the parkway no later than seven a.m. Monday, March 20. Operations will take about one week to finish. Geneva’s curbside leaf collection passed every street three times during October and November as part of our annual program. However, after a delayed begin to the fall season and inquiries from residents, the City Council Nov. Twenty one authorized a special fourth pickup via the community. The City’s leaf contractor was able to finish Zone B on the City’s northwest side during the final week of November. However, snow has delayed the collection twice – the very first week of December and the week of March thirteen – for the remaining zones. Residents living in Zone B (west of the Fox Sea, north of Route thirty eight or north of Kaneville Road and north of Keslinger Road; residents living on these streets are part of Zone B) will not be receiving another pickup in March since their leaves were collected last fall. For residents in Zones A & C, leaves should be raked to the parkway parallel to the street and about twelve inches behind the curb or edge of the pavement. Raking leaves into the street or curb/gutter can clog storm sewers, which can later result in street flooding. Leaf piles containing either yard waste or brush will not be collected. Geneva’s yard waste and brush programs are scheduled to begin in April for all homes across the City. People also should make sure their leaf piles are clear of cars and other obstructions that would prevent the contractor’s vacuum trucks from accessing the parkways. Leaves placed at the curb after the crews have passed will not be collected. A map and total leaf collection program regulations can be found on the City’s website. Questions can be directed to the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501. Update – March twelve The special curbside leaf collection scheduled to embark Monday, March thirteen for most of Geneva has officially been postponed due to the expected snow storm. With forecasts calling for inbetween four to seven inches of snow, the vacuum truck machines are not going to be able to pick up the leaves without clogging. A fresh collection date has been determined yet, but the City and our vendor are discussing a fresh schedule. The special fourth collection was supposed to take place for Zones A & C. We will post more information as it becomes available. Original News Release – Feb. Twenty four The City’s curbside leaf collection vacuum program is scheduled to restart operations for the two-thirds of Geneva residents who did not receive a special fourth pickup last fall. The special collection will take place the week of March thirteen for the following areas: •    Zone A – East of the Fox Sea •    Zone C – West of the Fox Sea, south of Route thirty eight or south of Kaneville Road and south of Keslinger Road. Residents living in these zones should have their leaves raked to the parkway no later than seven a.m. Monday, March 13. Operations will take about one week to finish. Geneva’s curbside leaf collection passed every street three times during October and November as part of its annual program. However, after a delayed embark to the fall season and inquiries from residents, the City Council authorized a special fourth pickup Nov. Twenty one via the community. The City’s leaf contractor was able to finish Zone B on the City’s northwest side during the last week of November. Work was scheduled to begin in December for Zones A & C before snow and freezing temperatures halted operations. Residents living in Zone B (west of the Fox Sea, north of Route thirty eight or north of Kaneville Road and north of Keslinger Road; residents living on these streets are part of Zone B) will not be receiving another pickup in March since their leaves were collected last fall. For residents in Zones A & C, leaves should be raked to the parkway parallel to the street and about twelve inches behind the curb or edge of the pavement. Raking leaves into the street or curb/gutter can clog storm sewers, which can later result in street flooding. Leaf piles containing either yard waste or brush will not be collected. Geneva’s yard waste and brush programs are scheduled to begin in April for all homes across the City. People also should make sure their leaf piles are clear of cars and other obstructions that would prevent the contractor’s vacuum trucks from accessing the parkways. Leaves placed at the curb after the crews have passed will not be collected. A map and utter leaf collection program regulations can be found on the City’s website. Questions can be directed to the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

City’s Financial Reporting Earns National Award For Fourth Straight Year

The City of Geneva’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) resumes to earn the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded Geneva with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fourth consecutive year. The award “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” according to the association. The City’s 2015-16 audit report, which was released last fall and was reviewed by the association this year, contains financial statements and records from the past decade, property tax and debt data, and general statistical information about Geneva. Geneva’s comprehensive financial report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the association’s program, including demonstrating a constructive spirit of total disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the report. The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit organization serving about 17,500 government finance professionals. The CAFR recognition adds to Geneva’s growing list of financial accomplishments. The association also has honored the City with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award the past seven years. Popular Annual Financial Report Residents wanting to learn more about the City’s fiscal health will find slew of information in the 200-page comprehensive annual audit. Before people feel the need to rush out to earn that finance degree, there is an lighter alternative. The City has created a Popular Annual Financial Report, a 14-page, visually-friendly summary of the annual audit packed with photos and graphs. This fresh report resumes the City’s effort to promote transparency by providing casual readers a better understanding on the complexities of government finances. Both the Comprehensive and Popular annual financial reports can be found on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us under the “Government Transparency” link.

How To Report Power Outages To The City

An underground cable (outside of Geneva) that provided power to two of our substations failed Feb. Eighteen leaving Three,239 west side customers without electro-therapy for about an hour. So what is the best way to report this type of outage to the City? Very first, see if your neighbors have power or if the street lights are still working. If they are, check your electrical panel for a throated fuse or tripped circuit breaker. If the power still is out during: Normal business hours Call the Geneva Public Works Department Electrified Division at 630-232-1503 or report the concern online on our website or our mobile app. Take note Public Works is open inbetween seven a.m. and four p.m. Monday to Friday. After-hours or weekends Call the Geneva Police Department non-emergency number at 630-232-4736. Police will report the outages to the Electrical Division. This is more effective than using our online request tracker system or social media accounts, which are not monitored twenty four hours a day. Last weekend, more than forty five online requests came in via request tracker and social media. We certainly understand the convenience of technology, but picking up the phone to call after-hours can help us pinpoint and potentially resolve problems more efficiently. Thank you for your cooperation.

Geneva Police Sergeant Recognized For Contributions To Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois has introduced Geneva Police Sgt. Dan Kott with the Flame of Hope Award for his twenty five years of dedicated volunteer service to the organization. The Flame of Hope Award is the highest honor of recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois and is introduced annually to one individual and one police department in the state for their steadfast involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The award is based on the nominee’s ingenuity, drive, commitment and dedication to the Torch Run, which directly impacts the lives of almost 43,000 athletes and children with and without intellectual disabilities. Sgt. Kott received the award earlier this month during a presentation in Bloomington, Ill. “We are utterly proud of Sgt. Dan Kott for his contributions to Special Olympics,” Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “Sgt. Kott’s selfless dedication to this significant cause reflects very pridefully on himself, the Geneva Police Department and the City of Geneva.” After being hired by the City in 1990, Sgt. Kott has spent innumerable hours of his own time championing the cause of Special Olympics by facilitating many community fundraisers. Sgt. Kott has worked tirelessly to proceed a Special Olympics fundraising pig roast that was the creation of Geneva Police Officer Keith Koza and his wifey, Mary. Officer Koza passed away in two thousand nine after a courageous battle with cancer. Due to the generous contributions of time and financial support from Mary Koza and Josef’s Elegante Meats & Deli, the pig roast has continued to flourish today.

City Wins Snowfighting Award For 4th Straight Year

Geneva was one of ninety communities in the United States and Canada to be named a two thousand sixteen Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award winner from the Salt Institute. The City has received national recognition for the fourth consecutive year for excellence in environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt. Geneva again earned high marks on the Salt Institute’s checklist that graded safety and service, equipment, materials usage, snow plowing spectacle, tactical operations before and during a storm, storage and safety, and environmental measures. The City put those procedures into practice in 2015-16 when the Public Works team plowed twenty inches of snow during fourteen various winter weather events. Plow operators used 1,349 tons of salt to keep Geneva’s two hundred forty four lane miles safe for motorists. To learn more about the City’s snow removal operations, see our “At Your Service” movie on the City’s YouTube Channel or visit our website. Having enough road salt on arm before storms hit requires advance planning and facilities that provide safe and efficient storage, according to the Salt Institute. The winning communities must also display decent maintenance and good housekeeping practices. The Salt Institute is a non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the many benefits of salt, particularly to ensure winter roadway safety, quality water and healthy nutrition.

Wine, Cheese & Trees Fundraiser Furthers Mission To Reforest Geneva’s Downtown Parkways

People interested in restoring Geneva’s downtown urban tree canopy are invited out for a night of fine wine, delicious treats and live auction to raise money toward the cause. The sixth annual Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser will take place from seven to ten p.m. Saturday, March four at the Persinger Recreation Center, three thousand five hundred seven Kaneville Road. The event is being hosted by the City of Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee (NRC). Six wines will be paired with cheese, appetizers and desserts from local merchants. The evening also will feature a silent auction, drawings, a “wine wall” and live auction, which will include an instant wine cellar, a weekend stay at the Prairie Club on Lake Michigan, three nights at a Door County resort, a weekend at the Seth Peterson Cottage on Mirror Lake and other fine prizes. Tickets can be purchased for $30 per person or four tickets for $100 at the Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room, two hundred twenty seven S. Third St.; Geneva Chamber of Commerce, eight S. Third St.; or online at squareup.com/store/GenevaNRC. No City funds have been used to purchase alcohol for this event. The NRC has pledged to use event proceeds toward a City parkway reforestation program called the Greening Geneva initiative. Like many communities in the Chicago area, Geneva lost a number of ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The City has liquidated more than Two,700 of the Two,800 infected parkway ash trees during the past several years. To date, the NRC has donated $40,000 to the City to purchase and plant almost seventy five fresh trees in downtown Geneva.  The committee is hoping to raise another $20,000 at the March four fundraiser. The NRC also is looking at extra opportunities to educate the community about the importance of trees in an urban environment. To this end, committee members will be visiting Geneva schools and planting oak trees with students for future generations to love. For more information on the Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser, contact NRC Chairman Jay Womack at 630-299-9945 or email him at [email protected]. To learn more about the committee, visit the City’s website or the “Geneva NRC” on Facebook.

Bring Geneva On The Go With City’s Fresh Mobile App

Need to find information about a Geneva business, event details or report a concern to the City? There is an app for that. The City has launched the “Go Geneva” mobile app to give residents and visitors instant access to key community information and services from the convenience of their smartphone. After downloading the app, staying connected with Geneva news, community alerts and more has never been lighter. With the app’s “Notify Me” feature, users can choose what information appeals to them to receive updates via email, text messages or shove notifications. Residents wanting to report a concern can use the app to pack out an electronic request and can fasten a photo from their phone if needed. Visitors to Geneva who use the app will be able to access the City’s business directory, event/attraction details as well as parking maps. Other app highlights include utility bill payments, construction project updates, municipal job listings, garbage and recycling services, City Council and advisory board agendas, and the City’s social media accounts. The free app is available to download from both the App and Google Play stores by searching “Go Geneva.”

City Wins Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

The City’s budget practices proceed to earn national recognition after Geneva received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the seventh consecutive year. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada honor reflects the commitment of the City “to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” according to the association. Geneva’s 2016-17 budget runs from May 1, two thousand sixteen to April 30, 2017. In order to receive the award, Geneva had to please nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “skilled” in all four categories, as well as the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. Award recipients have “pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments across North America,” according to the association. The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit organization serving almost Nineteen,000 government finance professionals. Both past and present budgets can be found on the City’s website.

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Venue Switch: Shakespeare In The Park Relocated To RiverPark

The display must go on! Due to flooding at Island Park, the Geneva Shakespeare in the Park event will be moved to RiverPark at Peyton Street and Sea Lane in Geneva. The Midsummer Theater Troupe will perform “As You Like It” in a more intimate venue. Seating is limited, and admission is free. Located across the sea and just north of Island Park, RiverPark features terraced amphitheater seating with numerous levels. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. The venue, while considerably smaller than Island Park, is the flawless setting for Shakespeare, said Kristen Duerdoth, executive director of the theater troupe. With the Fox Sea as a backdrop and native prairie grass and flowers, “It’s idyllic and intimate,” the ideal setting for one of The Bard’s classic pastoral comedies. The park is the best possible location under the circumstances, said event chair Gail Gaboda. “We desired to keep the event downtown and we will accommodate as many people as possible.” While the venue gives the audience less room to spread out, it permits troupe actors more creative license in staging the spectacle, adding an interactive component. “Actors will use every inch of the stage,” Duerdoth said. “They will wander up into the audience.” The play features Rosalind, one of Shakespeare’s most inspiring characters. The daughter of a banished duke, Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, the disinherited son of one of the duke’s friends. When she is banished from the court by her uncle, Duke Frederick, Rosalind takes on the appearance of a boy called Ganymede. She travels with her cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone to the Forest of Arden, where her father and his friends live in exile. The troupe will perform this romantic comedy with their trademark flair and puns. Preshow art and craft activities for kids will be suggested by the Geneva Public Library District at five p.m. Seating commences at five p.m. A ballet spectacle at six p.m. kicks off the showcase. “As You Like It” runs ninety minutes without intermission and is suitable for all ages. For more information, visit www.genevarts.org or the Shakespeare in the Park Facebook page. The Midsummer Theatre Troupe also will perform “As You Like It” July sixteen at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, July eighteen and twenty five at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora and July twenty two at Water Street Mall in Aurora. For more information on other locations, visit the Troupe’s Facebook page.

Love, Forgiveness The Concentrate Of Shakespeare In the Park Play July fifteen In Geneva

Update: Due to flooding at Island Park from storms the week of July Ten, the event has been relocated to RiverPark, one hundred fifty one N. Sea Lane. The demonstrate will go on! Original News Release (with venue switch) A night of comedy and culture comebacks to Geneva’s RiverPark on Saturday, July 15, at the annual Shakespeare in the Park event. This free spectacle starts at six p.m. The Midsummer Theatre troupe will perform “As You Like It,” which probes the transformative power of love, and how it turns enemies into allies. Rosalind, one of Shakespeare’s most inspiring characters, is the daughter of a banished duke who falls in love with Orlando, the disinherited son of one of the duke’s friends. When she is banished from the court by her uncle, Duke Frederick, Rosalind takes on the appearance of a boy called Ganymede. She travels with her cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone to the Forest of Arden, where her father and his friends live in exile. By the play’s end Ganymede, once again Rosalind, marries her Orlando. Two other sets of paramours are also wed, one of them Celia and Orlando’s mean brother Oliver. As Oliver becomes a gentler, kinder youthfull man so the Duke conveniently switches his ways and turns to religion and so that the exiled Duke, father of Rosalind, can rule once again. This 90-minute family-friendly spectacle is designed to entertain children and adults alike. Dual entendres, slapstick humor, physical gags and dynamic actors are sure to provide laughs for all ages. Much of the play takes place in the Forest of Arden, said troupe director Katrina Syrris. “The forest is so whimsical and fantastical and the display is so frantically optimistic,” she said. In choosing the brightly colored Renaissance costumes, Syrris drew inspiration from the concept of chakras, the ancient Hindu system of voicing where energy is located in the figure, up and down the spine. Each chakra has a color representation, and each character has a superior trait that corresponds with a chakra color. Additionally, actors will be adorned with flower crowns, boutonnieres and corsages. “It’s going to be so visually appealing,” she said. “Such optimistic whimsy can only be voiced with vivid colors and expressive florals.” Now in its 11th year, Shakespeare in the Park is introduced by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. Admission is free ($Five suggested donation) and seating commences at five p.m. A pre-show dance spectacle embarks at six p.m. followed by the play. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners to love the Ravinia-style theater practice. Stockholm’s will sell sandwiches, chips and drinks while Graham’s will be serving up ice juices. The Geneva Public Library District will suggest a preshow Shakespeare-inspired interactive craft activity for elementary school-aged children at five p.m. at the park. RiverPark is located at one hundred fifty one N. Sea Lane near Peyton Street.  For more information, visit www.genevarts.org or “like” Geneva Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook.

Geneva Cultural Arts Commission Furthers Vision Of Community Arts Center

The vision of creating a community arts center in Geneva grows brighter as funding for the future project proceeds to build momentum. The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission will transfer $40,000 to the Geneva Foundation for the Arts as an endowment for a community arts center. Geneva’s City Council approved the transfer of funds at its June nineteen meeting. The money being transferred was raised through generous donations, sponsorships, subjugation fees and tickets sales to Cultural Arts Commission events. In 2013, the Geneva Foundation for the Arts was formed as a 501c(Trio) non-profit organization to work hand-in-hand with the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. The Foundation’s vision is to establish an endowment to support major cultural arts projects and a community arts center in Geneva. Two years ago, the Commission gathered community leaders and representatives from several local organizations to develop a business plan for a community arts center. To help form the comprehensive strategy, the team researched almost fifty centers in other cities to determine successful business models. The Geneva plan can be viewed on the Commission’s website.  Geneva’s arts center will be a place that fosters cultural enrichment through exhibitions, spectacles, and classes. Operation and management of the arts center will be undertaken by the Foundation with the Commission continuing to play a vital supporting role. Both groups are working together to secure a future arts center location. The Commission’s contribution to the arts center endowment is made possible by money raised at annual fundraisers and events, such as the Geneva Film Festival and Steeple Walk. In addition to the endowment, funds also are used to support free events including the upcoming RiverPark Summer Concert Series on Sunday July 9, July sixteen and July twenty three and Shakespeare in the Park Saturday, July 15. The Commission also supports public art with various programs, including bus stop art, functional bike rack sculptures and painted fire hydrants. For more information about the Cultural Arts Commission, visit the advisory board’s website or call 630-938-4530.

Geneva’s Summer Concert Series Brings Family Joy Along The Fox Sea

Grab a lawn chair, blanket or even bring a picnic dinner to love three free nights of entertainment along the Fox Sea during the RiverPark Summer Concert Series. The ninth annual Summer Concert Series will be held at six p.m. Sundays, July 9, July sixteen and July twenty three at RiverPark, located at North Sea Lane and Peyton Street just north of State Street. The programs, which will take place at the park’s stone amphitheater, are sponsored by the City of Geneva’s Cultural Arts Commission. The Victory Travelers open the series July 9. The quartet accompanied with electrified guitar, trumpet, saxophone and drums perform gospel music with excitement and vocal power. Some of the songs are “deep and bluesy as if they are from the Deep South.” Introducing the Victory Travelers is Robert Marovic, founder of Journal of Gospel Music. Back by popular request is the Geneva Jazz Ensemble on July 16. Under the direction of Geneva High School graduate Christopher Werve, the 18-piece jazz band plays classic big band music. On July 23, The Need To Be Seen Radio Troupe takes the audience back when radio drama and comedy ruled the airwaves. Entertaining crowds in the Fox Valley for the past seven years, the Troupe’s unique act makes people use their imagination to picture the activity listening to various voices and sound effects. All spectacles are free of charge, but donations to the Cultural Arts Commission are always welcome. In case of inclement weather, spectacles will be moved inwards to the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church of Geneva, two hundred eleven Hamilton St.  For more information about the RiverPark Summer Concert Series or the Cultural Arts Commission, visit www.genevarts.org or call 630-938-4530.

Cultural Arts Commission Seeking Fresh Member

Geneva residents with a passion for the arts are encouraged to apply for an opening on the City’s Cultural Arts Commission. Formed in 2006, the commission supports a multitude of arts programming including Shakespeare in the Park, Steeple Walk, RiverPark Concert Series and the Geneva Film Festival. In addition to events, the advisory board is committed to advancing art initiatives and raising awareness for arts in the community. The nine-member commission meets at seven p.m. on the very first Thursday of every month. Residents wanting to serve on this advisory board should submit an application along with a one-page letter of interest to Mayor Kevin Burns, Geneva City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St., Geneva, IL 60134. The envelope should reference the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. The application deadline is Friday, July 14. All interested parties are encouraged to apply, especially those with practice in the arts, media, marketing, fundraising, event planning, or consensus building. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the position: Live within the corporate boundaries of the City of Geneva; Be a legal U.S. citizen; Be a registered voter; Have no felony convictions; and Be current on taxes and payments to the City. The successful candidate for the Cultural Arts Commission will be appointed by Mayor Burns with the advice and consent of the City Council. An application and more information about each board can be found on the City’s website. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Commission Chairman Tim Vetang at 630-232-4051 or email [email protected].

Have an Art Affair on November Ten, 2017

The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission is setting the stage for guests to love an Art Affair…  Following a three year run with Eat Your Art Out!, the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission is pleased to announce its latest annual fundraiser, Art Affair!  Following an eight year history dedicated to supporting artistic causes via beautifully executed and successful fundraising events, plans are well underway for a fabulous evening on November Ten, two thousand seventeen at the Geneva Golf Club. Art Affair will feast the mission and artistic endeavors of the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission as well as the wealth of artistic talent in the community.  Guests will be treated to a delightful and inspiring evening, from the very first toast to the last, during a salon style cocktail party and fine silent auction.  This one night supports the artistic endeavors of the Commission via the year. Event details are: Art Affair November Ten, two thousand seventeen 6-8pm The Geneva Golf Club $50/Guest (Tickets are now available at genevarts.org!) Salon Style Cocktail Party w/ Live Music & Painting, Hors d’Oeuvres, Fine Silent Auction, Cash Bar Artistic palates will be sated as guests come together on one night to support the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission’s yearly endeavors.  Annual programs include the Geneva Film Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, RiverPark Summer Concert Series, Steeple Walk Concerts, Art on Fire Hydrant Paintings, Bike Rack=Art Functional Sculptures and Gimme Shelter Bus Stop Murals.  The Commission also pridefully supports the Geneva Foundation for the Arts, Greater Geneva Art Guild and Orion Ensemble Chamber Group in their artistic endeavors.  Reserve now to attend Art Affair and love upcoming cultural arts programs in Geneva, including the RiverPark Summer Concert Series on July 9, sixteen & twenty three and Shakespeare in the Park on July 15.  Ready to attend, sponsor and/or nosey about Art Affair and the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission?  Visit genevarts.org to reserve your place, donate and to learn more and the GCAC’s Facebook page to go after Geneva’s vibrant art scene! To talk with a GCAC representative, please call 630-938-4530.  

Come Make Your Mark On Geneva During The ‘Art On Fire’ Hydrant Design Contest

Geneva will once again be suggesting local artists a unique canvas – our fire hydrants – to showcase their creative spirit this spring.  The City, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission, is seeking artists to adopt and paint fire hydrants across the community. More than seventy hydrants have been painted the past four years as part of “Art on Fire,” and the program has been well-received by residents and visitors who have taken notice of the artwork in the downtown and surrounding areas. With more than 1,800 fire hydrants across Geneva, slew of “blank canvas” remains for artists to submit fresh entries this spring. “Art on Fire” was established by Mayor Kevin Burns in two thousand thirteen as a way to showcase Geneva’s artistic talent and bring art into the community. “The ‘Art on Fire’ program is evidence that Geneva’s creative spirit cannot be extinguished,” Mayor Burns said. The program is free and open to the public, but participants need to submit an application to the City by Friday, May 12. The application can be found on the City’s website or picked up at Geneva City Hall, twenty two S. Very first St.  “Art on Fire” does not mandate a specific theme, but the program encourages artists to incorporate the character of the hydrant’s surrounding environment into their design. City staff reviews and approves all application designs to make sure they do not compromise the visibility of the hydrants for firefighters in an emergency. Artists will be permitted to paint their hydrants during May and June. The City’s Public Arts Advisory Committee and Cultural Arts Commission will again judge the hydrants and award prizes to the top three design winners this summer. People can take a virtual tour of all the decorated hydrants on an interactive map posted on the City’s website. The map will be updated this summer to include all the two thousand seventeen submissions.

One Person Injured In Kansas Street House Fire

One person was injured after a house was bruised by a fire Aug. Thirty at two hundred twenty Kansas St. on Geneva’s east side. The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched to the incident at about 8:03 p.m. after a neighbor spotted the fire and called 911. As engines arrived on the scene, smoke was coming from the east side of the single-family home, and flames were visible from the front window. Firefighters found the homeowner outside the front door with burn injuries. Firefighters initiated an interior attack and brought the fire under control in about twenty minutes. The homeowner was transported by ambulance to Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The home sustained fire and warmth harm in the kitchen and smoke harm across the structure. Harm estimates still are being compiled, but the house has been deemed uninhabitable at this time. Firefighters from Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn and the West Chicago fire departments assisted Geneva at the scene. The Fermilab and North Aurora fire departments provided backup at the Geneva fire stations during the call. Extra support was given by the Geneva Emergency Management Agency, Geneva Police Department and the Geneva Public Works Department.

Company’s Printing Job May Cause ‘Natural Gas’ Odor

Strathmore Company in Geneva has informed the City the business will be printing another propane safety pamphlet, which has generated a “natural gas-like” odor detectable in the community in the past. In May, the Geneva Fire Department responded to several reports of a “natural gas-like” odor on the City’s west side. Through air testing, firefighters determined the smell was emanating from normal harass at the commercial printing company and was not posing any danger. Strathmore, which operates on Gary Lane, will be conducting its latest production run kicking off in the afternoon Aug. Twenty eight and from six a.m. to four p.m. through Friday, Sept. 1. The company is printing materials for a customer that has a petite scratch-and-sniff area being applied. The smell being used for the scratch-and-sniff contains Mercaptan, the same odorant that is added to natural gas to make it noticeable. Mercaptan is a harmless, organic substance made of carbon, hydrogen, and sulphur that is detectable to the human nose at levels of less than one part per million. Since natural gas in its unspoiled state does not have a smell, Mercaptan is the ideal additive to colorless, odorless gases so they can be identified well before they reach hazardous levels. Residents in the surroundings may periodically smell the Mercaptan depending on current wind speed and direction.  However, should people believe an odor is stemming from another source, or if they have skill of an actual natural gas leak, please call nine hundred eleven instantaneously to report the incident. Residents with questions regarding the print production smell can call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530. 

Fire Department To Perform Hydrant Flow Testing

The Geneva Fire Department, in cooperation with the City’s Public Works Department, will be conducting water flow tests on fire hydrants from eight a.m. to three p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. Twenty nine to 31. The operations will take place from the Fox Sea west to Randall Road. Residents might practice rust in their water during or instantaneously after the testing. The water is safe to drink, but people are encouraged to let their faucets run for a few minutes if they notice any discoloration. Residents should refrain from doing laundry until the water is clear. In the event that rusty water discolors clothing, keep the laundry raw and purchase a rust-removing solution packet from a local retailer. The testing provides valuable information on water supplies available for firefighting and where infrastructure upgrades may be needed in the future. The City appreciates everyone’s patience and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.  If you have any questions, please contact Fire Marshal Dustin Schultze or Fire Chief Mike Antenore at 630-232-2530.

Fire Damages Storage Barn In Geneva Township

A large storage barn was severely bruised by a fire Aug. Fourteen at 37W260 Kaneville Road in unincorporated Geneva Township near Geneva’s west side. The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched at about 9:06 p.m. for a reported structure fire. The storage barn was unoccupied but did house a boat and pick-up truck.  Very first arriving companies found thick smoke coming from the east side of the structure with strenuous flames visible from the interior. Firefighters initiated a defensive attack, and elevated the initial response to a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) first-level box alarm for extra manpower, equipment and resources. The fire was brought under control in about forty minutes. Two firefighters were treated for dehydration and released at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Harm estimates still are being compiled, but the storage barn and contents sustained significant harm. Firefighters from Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn, West Chicago, Fermilab and the North Aurora fire departments assisted Geneva at the scene. The South Elgin and Winfield fire departments packed in the Geneva fire stations during the call.  Extra support was provided by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Office of Emergency Management, Geneva Police Department, Commonwealth Edison, Salvation Army and the Geneva Public Works Department.

Detached Garage Severely Bruised By Fire

A detached garage was severely bruised by fire Aug. Ten at one thousand twenty two Geneva Drive on the City’s east side. The Geneva Fire Department responded to the incident at about 6:16 p.m. for an initial report of an alley garage on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found the two-car garage fully involved, and the siding to the garage directly to the east beginning to melt as well. Quick deployment of hosepipe lines by firefighters kept the fire from extending to extra structures and no houses were involved in the blaze. Nobody was injured from the fire. There were no cars parked in the garage. However, the structure sustained severe harm, and the contents inwards have been deemed a total loss. The neighboring garage also suffered minor exterior fever harm. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and harm estimates are being compiled.   The St. Charles Fire Department provided assistance to Geneva at the scene.

‘Natural Gas’ Odor Pinpointed To Commercial Printing Company Harass

The Geneva Fire Department has responded to several reports of a “natural gas-like” odor since May twenty three on the City’s west side. Firefighters have determined the smell is emanating from normal harass at a Geneva commercial printing company and is not posing any danger to the community. During a current production run, the company is printing materials for a customer that has a puny scratch-and-sniff area being applied. The odor being used for the scratch-and-sniff contains Mercaptan, the same odorant that is added to natural gas to make it detectable. Through air monitoring, the Fire Department has determined there is no instantaneous combustible gas hazard on Geneva’s west side. Mercaptan is a harmless, organic substance made of carbon, hydrogen, and sulphur that is detectable to the human nose at levels of less than one part per million. Since natural gas in its unspoiled state does not have a smell, Mercaptan is the ideal additive to colorless, odorless gases so they can be identified well before they reach hazardous levels. The printing company, which operates on Gary Lane, will be continuing its production run from six a.m. to four p.m. through Thursday, May 25. Residents in the surroundings may proceed to periodically smell the Mercaptan depending on current wind speed and direction.  However, should people believe an odor is stemming from another source, or if they have skill of an actual natural gas leak, please call nine hundred eleven instantly to report the incident. Residents with questions regarding the print production smell can call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530. 

Construction Worker Dies At Geneva Commons

A construction worker died Feb. Three while attempting to install a tower sign at Geneva Commons, six hundred two Commons Drive. The Geneva Fire Department responded at 11:48 a.m. for a reported rescue from the central bell tower at the open air shopping center located off Randall Road on Geneva’s west side. Firefighters found two construction workers at the top of the bell tower, one conscious and the other unconscious and unresponsive. After initial contact with the construction team, paramedics on the scene ascertained the unresponsive worker had died. The other construction worker in the bell tower was assisted by firefighters and was able to walk down a fire department aerial ladder on his own power. Firefighters then conducted an elevated recovery of the victim. The recovery operation took about three hours. Kane County Coroner Rob Russell identified the deceased man as Donald J. Tentler, 47, of the six hundred block of South Seventh Street, West Dundee. A utter autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 6, and a preliminary cause and manner of death will be disseminated later that day. Coroner Russell asks people to please keep the family of Mr. Tentler in your thoughts and prayers. No other injuries were reported at Geneva Commons. The incident remains under investigation by the Geneva Police Department, Kane County Coroner’s Office as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Fire agencies assisting Geneva at the scene included St. Charles, West Chicago and Batavia. Fermilab firefighters packed in at Geneva’s fire station during the incident.

Vehicle Severely Bruised By Fire

A passenger vehicle was severely bruised by fire Dec.28 in the six hundred block of North Very first Street. The Geneva Fire Department responded to the incident at approximately 9:17 a.m. for an initial report of boxes, and possibly a vehicle, on fire in the driveway of the residence. Upon arrival, firefighters found the family’s vehicle and a large pile of discarded cardboard boxes from an ongoing home renovation well-involved in fire in the driveway about eight feet from the garage. The occupants of the home were able to securely evacuate, along with several construction workers on site at the time. The fire did not extend into the home. No one was injured while fighting the fire. The family’s vehicle did sustain major harm, however the home’s exterior sustained only minor warmth and smoke harm. Exact harm estimates still are being compiled. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Firefighters from the Batavia, St. Charles, and Elburn fire departments provided assistance to Geneva at the scene, while a unit from West Chicago packed in at Geneva’s headquarters fire station.

Geneva Police Urge Motorists To Use Caution When Driving Near Schools

As summer draws to a close, the Geneva Police Department wants motorists to be mindful of children walking to school commencing Wednesday, Aug. 23. Police officers will have a visible presence in school zones and neighborhoods surrounding school buildings this week to see for violations that contribute to accidents. These violations include texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, speeding and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. People can read about more back-to-school safety tips from Police Chief Eric Passerelli in the “Safety Very first” blog on the City’s website.  The Geneva Police Department appreciates the community’s support to assure the 2017-18 school year gets off to a safe embark for everyone. Photo credit: Geneva Community Unit School District 304

Batavia Man Dies In Motorcycle Accident

A 45-year-old Batavia man has died after his motorcycle went off the roadway striking a light pole and two trees at 12:05 a.m. Aug. Seven in the one thousand three hundred block West State Street in Geneva. Geneva Police were originally dispatched for a report of a suspicious noise. After searching the area, officers discovered John Akin, of the three hundred block of Douglas Road, had been involved in a single-vehicle accident. Akin was driving his two thousand fifteen Harley Davidson Softail Standard motorcycle eastbound on State Street when he exited the roadway. Geneva paramedics responded to the accident to perform life-saving measures, but Akin was later pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet. The accident remains under investigation by the Geneva Police Department. An autopsy is being conducted by the Kane County Coroner’s Office.

Road Closure, Parking Confinements To Be In Effect During Geneva Arts Fair

With thousands of visitors expected to attend the Geneva Arts Fair next weekend, the Geneva Police Department announced a portion of South Third Street will be closed during the festival. The Fair will be held from ten a.m. to five p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July twenty two and twenty three in downtown Geneva. To accommodate the event, parking on Third Street from James to South streets will be prohibited after four p.m. Friday, July 21. Commencing at five p.m. that night, the same spread of Third Street will be closed to traffic in both directions so artists can set up their tents. “No Parking” signage will be posted during the morning July twenty one to notify downtown visitors of the festival confinements. If vehicles remain on South Third Street after four p.m., the Police Department will have them towed from the downtown. The primary Arts Fair detour route is 2nd Street, but traffic on the cross streets of Third Street will be open across the event. South Third Street will remain closed until 8:30 p.m. July 23. For more information about the Geneva Arts Fair, please call the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060 or visit the Chamber’s website. 

Geneva Revises Parking Fine Structure

People who receive a parking ticket in Geneva will have more time to pay the fine before incurring extra penalties effective Monday, July Ten. As part of the 2016-17 budget, the City Council directed staff to research Geneva’s parking fine structure with surrounding and comparable communities. After months of studying, an ordinance was adopted last year that enlargened the fines and extra fees for late payment. Those issued parking violations had ten days to pay the initial ticket with enhancing fine amounts up to a maximum of an extra $125 in administrative fees. The switch was significant and there was an adjustment period for the public and Geneva Police Department. After evaluating the fresh fee structure for one year and receiving feedback from the community and staff, the City felt it was adequate to be lithe and responsive to the public. A revised ordinance, approved by the City Council last month, provides people thirty days to pay their ticket and scales back the fees charged for late payment. For example, a $25 parking ticket issued in: July two thousand sixteen – Went up to $150 ($25 ticket plus $125 fees) after forty five days of non-payment. July two thousand seventeen – Reaches a maximum of $100 ($25 ticket plus $75 fees) after sixty days. “The City of Geneva and Police Department hope these switches are lighter to understand and will proceed to permit us to balance the parking needs of residents, merchants, employees, commuters and shoppers who visit our incredible community,” Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. A utter chart outlining Geneva’s utter parking lot fee structure can be found on the City’s website.

Geneva Police, Fire Departments To Conduct Active Shooter Response Training At Heartland School

The Geneva Police and Fire departments will be conducting active shooter response training from seven a.m. to five p.m. Thursday, July twenty at Heartland Elementary School, three thousand three hundred Heartland Drive. Being done in coordination with Geneva Community Unit School District 304, the training will concentrate on a potential response to an active shooting incident with an emphasis on a unified treatment. The exercise will feature emergency vehicles from both departments, and sirens and fire alarms may be activated as part of the training. The school and surrounding area will be closed to the public during this time to ensure the safety of emergency responders and neighbors. Signs will be posted around the school property to alert residents of the exercise and training boundaries. The public should avoid the school grounds until the training exercise is accomplish and all emergency vehicles have left the area. In latest years, this sort of training has become more and more necessary. According to the FBI statistics, there were forty active shooter incidents inbetween 2014-15. These numbers are higher than any two-year average this century and are six times greater than active shooting incidents taking place in 2000-01. This training is intended to help emergency personnel react appropriately and anticipate the ever switching circumstances of an active shooter situation. The Geneva Police and Fire departments work very closely following the standardized Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) national model. Geneva’s public safety agencies appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as they participate in this vital emergency response training.  People interested in having a workplace violence/active shooter preparedness presentation at their school or place of business can call Geneva Police Administrative Sgt. Eli Rivera at 630-232-4736.

Geneva Police Advise Community About ComEd Phone Scam

The Geneva Police Department is warning residents of a telephone scam where “ComEd representatives” would menace to disconnect power service unless late payments were made over the phone. Within a two-hour period June 20, six Geneva electrified customers reported to the City receiving “ComEd” phone calls. These calls are a scam, and people should not make a payment or provide financial information to the caller. Commonwealth Edison is not Geneva’s electrified utility provider. The City wields and operates its own electrical utility and would not call or request payment over the phone. Residents and business owners can check the status of their utility bill account by visiting the City’s website. If people have doubts about the validity of any call regarding their bill, do not hesitate to contact the City of Geneva Finance Division at 630-232-0854 or visit the office from eight a.m. to five p.m. Monday to Friday at fifteen S. Very first St. As a general rule, the safest practice is to not provide financial or individual information over the phone, especially if the telephone call is unsolicited. If people are unassured as to whether the call is legitimate, they should advise the caller they will need to contact them later, string up up and then check their account status. Residents also can report suspicious phone calls to the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

Geneva, Illinois State Police Conducting Roadside Safety Check In June

The Geneva Police Department and Illinois State Police will conduct a joint roadside safety check in Kane County the weekend of June 16.   Officers working on the roadside safety check will be watching for drivers in disturbance of operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, failing to decently wear a safety belt or child restraint, driving with a suspended or revoked license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, driving under the influence, along with any other vehicle code and criminal violations.  Alcohol and drug impairment is a factor in more than thirty percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois and across the United States. Almost Ten,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. Roadside safety checks are designed to keep our community safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road and having officers see for safety violations. The checkpoint is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Swedish Days Festival, Parade To Influence Downtown Traffic For One Week

The annual Geneva Swedish Days festival brings slew of joy, food, music and more to people of all ages each summer. To accommodate this signature event, several downtown streets will be closed across the festivities Tuesday to Sunday, June twenty to 25. Parking signage will be temporarily posted in certain areas across the week. Swedish Days visitors should be mindful of the limitations when parking downtown. The main festival areas that will be impacted are Third Street (from State to South streets), James Street (from 2nd to Fifth streets) and Campbell Street (from 2nd to Fifth streets). The following locations will be posted with “No Parking This Side of Street” signage beginning Monday, June nineteen through the conclusion of the festival: James Street – south side of the roadway from Fifth to Seventh streets, Fifth Street – east side from James to Franklin streets, Fourth Street, east side from Campbell to Fulton streets, Campbell Street – north side from Very first (Route 31) to 2nd streets as well as from Sixth to Seventh streets, and Franklin Street – north side from Fourth to Fifth streets and the south side from Fifth to Sixth streets. People should not eliminate these makeshift signs posted on wooden stakes since the parking limitations are meant to provide a safe environment for festival patrons. The 68th annual Swedish Days Parade will step off at one p.m. June 25. Prior to this time, a detour route will be established with police officers directing traffic at various locations along the parade route. The following streets will be shut down during the parade: State Street (Route 38) from 2nd Street to Logan Avenue on the west side of the Fox Sea, Third Street from State to Very first Street/Batavia Avenue (Route 31), and Anderson Boulevard from State to Union streets. State Street Detour Route: Westbound motorists should head north on 2nd Street, west on Stevens Street, north on Edison Street, west on Union Street, and south on Logan Avenue to resume westbound travel on Route 38. The detour route is reversed for eastbound State Street traffic. The Geneva Police Department appreciates the public’s patience and hopes everyone has a safe and pleasant festival practice. For more information about Swedish Days, visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce’s website.

Delnor Multi-Sport Madness Race, Memorial Day Parade Street Closures Announced

Geneva residents should plan accordingly for two Memorial Day weekend events that will temporarily close streets on the City’s west side and downtown. The Delnor Multi-Sport Madness race will be held on the hospital campus and surrounding roadways from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 28. The following streets will be shut down to traffic during the event: Williamsburg Avenue west of Randall Road, Fisher Drive north of Heartland Drive to Bricher Road, and Bricher Road west of the Geneva Commons to Peck Road. Delnor Hospital’s campus, three hundred Randall Road, will be accessible from Keslinger Road. The Fisher Farms subdivision, west of Fisher Drive, will be open at Keslinger Road, Heartland Drive and Prairie View Drive. Geneva Police officers and race officials will assist residents living east of Fisher Drive, north of Williamsburg Avenue, in leaving or injecting their street. Traffic control will attempt to limit the inconvenience as much as possible, but people should expect significant delays while runners and bicyclists are on the roadway. Beginning at ten a.m. Monday, May 29, the American Legion Fox Sea – Geneva Post seventy five will step off its annual Memorial Day Parade from the Geneva Train Station. The parade will feature the color guard, local veterans, City officials, Boy and Chick Scouts, Geneva High School Marching Band, military re-enactor units and Geneva Police and Fire vehicles. The procession will travel north on Third Street to the West Side Cemetery, Third and Stevens streets, where a Memorial Day ceremony will be held. Third Street will be closed during the parade as will the intersection of State and Third streets. While the parade is brief in duration, motorists are encouraged to use Route thirty one as an alternate route. The Geneva Police Department appreciates the public’s patience and hopes everyone has a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Provides Update On May thirteen Delnor Hospital Incident

Medical personnel at about Five:40 p.m. May 8, 2017, transported 21-year-old Tywon M. Salters by ambulance from the Kane County Jail to Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The Chicago resident was hospitalized because he had eaten part of his plastic jail-issued sandal and needed medical attention. He was accompanied in the ambulance by a Kane County Corrections officer. During his stay at Delnor, doctors surgically eliminated the plastic lump from Salters’ tummy. He remained at the hospital while beginning his recovery from the medical procedure. Authorities do not yet know when Salters was due to be released from Delnor and returned to the jail, or if his release had been scheduled. Salters originally was brought to the Kane County jail on March 11, 2017, after being charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, each a Class two felony. The alleged offense took place in Elgin. He was scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 17, 2017, at the Kane County Judicial Center. At approximately one p.m. May 13, 2017, Salters gained control of the handgun of the Kane County corrections officer who was assigned to guard him in Salters’ third-floor hospital room, beginning a three-hour standoff that was restricted to the interior of the hospital. As a standoff ensued, the hospital was placed on lockdown and some patients were evacuated. Kane County’s SWAT team was called to the scene. The unit comprises specially trained officers from numerous Kane County law-enforcement agencies. During the standoff, Salters took a nurse hostage, then took a 2nd nurse hostage and released the very first hostage. Salters, with the 2nd hostage nurse, moved to the very first floor of the hospital. Authorities continued to negotiate with Salters via the standoff, albeit unsuccessfully. Shortly before four p.m., the SWAT team entered the area where Salters was holding the hostage. A member of the team fired his weapon at Salters, striking him. The hostage was liquidated and received instantaneous medical attention. Salters also was liquidated and received instantaneous medical attention, but he was pronounced dead within minutes by medical personnel. Per protocol, the Kane County Corrections officer and the SWAT officer were placed on paid administrative leave. Numerous reviews are being conducted as a result of the incident. The Illinois State Police is investigating the officer’s deadly use of force. According to Illinois law, the investigators in an officer-involved death, shall, in an expeditious manner, provide a accomplish report to the state’s attorney’s office where the death occurred. The Kane County State’s Attorney will review the ISP report to determine if the use of force was justified. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal review of policies, procedures and protocol regarding the transporting of jail detainees and how detainees are kept under guard while outside the jail. The investigations into the events of May 13, 2017, are ongoing. “There are many questions to be answered about this incident. I expect that these reviews will be thorough and will provide as accomplish a picture as possible of what occurred inwards Delnor Hospital on May 13. When we get those answers, and after we are able to fully examine the investigation, we will share as much as we lawfully can with the public. In the meantime, please understand that it will not be beneficial to the pursuit of justice for us to expose information piecemeal. Doing so could potentially compromise the integrity of the significant work that lies ahead,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. News Release Courtesy Of Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office

State Police Public Integrity Task Force Investigate Kane County SWAT Officer Involved Shooting

Geneva Police Participating In National Drug Take-Back Program April 29

The Geneva Police Department will be working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in collecting expired or unwanted prescription medications from ten a.m. to two p.m. Saturday, April twenty nine as part of the National Drug Take-Back Day. People can turn in their medications to the records specialist at the front desk of the Police Department, twenty Police Plaza. The following pills or patches that will be accepted include: Prescription medications Medication samples Over-the-counter medications Vitamins Pet medications Non-controlled DEA drugs Pills should be liquidated from their original container by pouring them directly into a plastic bag. People should take any empty prescription bottles and boxes that may contain any individual information back home. The Police Department will not be accepting any liquids, ointments, illegal substances/narcotics, thermometers, IV bags, sharps/needles, bloody or infectious waste, and empty containers. This is the 13th time in seven years Geneva Police have participated in the drug-take back program for the public. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. After two p.m. April 29, the Police Department will revert to its current practice of accepting unused medication from only Geneva residents. Commenced in 2010, this initiative aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. These medications should not be flushed down the toilet or bury because they could end up in local drinking water supplies. By turning in old medications, people are preventing pill manhandle and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. For more information about the disposition of prescription drugs, visit the DEA’s website.

Police: Put Down The Phone, Keep Eyes On The Road

When driving, the Geneva Police Department has a elementary request: Keep your attention focused on the road because that latest text message or social media post can wait. Geneva Police is joining compels with almost three hundred state and local law enforcement agencies for Illinois’ inaugural Dispersed Driving Awareness Week April twenty four to twenty eight to highlight the dangers and consequences associated with these deeds. Dissipated driving occurs when motorists divert their attention from the road to texting, reading emails, communicating with friends on social media or talking on the phone without a hands-free device. Dissipated driving enforcement is always of superb importance to the Geneva Police Department, but officers will be putting an even greater emphasis on these violations next week across the City. “This behavior is enormously dangerous and poses a significant risk to the driver, their passengers and pedestrians,” Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “Our objective in this enforcement is to educate those dissipated drivers to prevent a tragic, life-altering accident. We greatly appreciate partnering with the public for this significant safety initiative.” In 2016, Geneva Police cited seventy one people for unlawful use of their phone or electronic device while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: More than Three,400 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving dissipated drivers in 2015. That is a nine percent increase in fatalities compared to the previous year. About ten percent of fatal crashes, fifteen percent of injury crashes and fourteen percent of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes in two thousand fifteen were classified as distraction-affected accidents. Texting while driving has become an especially problematic trend among millennials. Youthful drivers, sixteen to twenty four years old, have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. SafetyServe.com is suggesting a brief dissipated driving online course, at no cost, during Dispelled Driving Awareness Week to those who visit the Illinois Association of Chiefs Of Police Traffic Safety website. Please help the Geneva Police Department and our law enforcement fucking partners keep our roadways safe for everyone.

Fraud Alert: District three hundred four Warns Community About ‘Touch Down Sports’

It has come to the attention of Geneva Community School District three hundred four and the Geneva Police Department that a company that goes by the name Touch Down Sports has been contacting local businesses to solicit sponsorships on behalf of Geneva Community High School. The company claims that specific coaches asked them to contact the business for a sponsorship and then asks the business to provide credit card information. Please be aware that Geneva Community High School is in no way affiliated with Touch Down Sports and has not authorized it to pursue sponsors. By all accounts, Touch Down Sports is working a scam. Please do not share your credit card information with this company. The Geneva Police Department has placed calls to Touch Down Sports to cease all activities on behalf of the high school. Following are links to articles about Touch Down Sports scamming other communities: Ankeny Centennial High School Urbandale Community School District News Alert Courtesy Of Geneva Community School District 304

Geneva Police: Be Aware Of Computer Scams

The Geneva Police Department is asking residents to be alert for suspicious online behavior after taking two reports March ten for computer fraud and tampering. In the very first case, a resident responded to a pop-up message stating the computer was no longer online and needed to be motionless by calling a 1-800 number. After calling the number, the person answering the phone said the company would need remote access to the resident’s computer. Once granted access, the offender “allegedly” motionless the computer and then said the service fee was $784.05. The resident complied with the request by providing a bank account number and ended up losing the money in the scam. A similar situation occurred later that day when another computer was hacked, and the offender wooed a different resident there was something wrong with the machine. The offender advised the problem could be immobilized for $199 that could be paid with a credit card. The resident refused to provide a credit card number and preferred to pay with a check. The offender said the company would send someone over to pick up the check, but the meeting never took place. These two examples are common scams that are often initiated against senior citizens. Some tips to help prevent becoming a victim of online fraud include: Do not open suspicious or unknown emails, attachments, text messages or pop-up messages. Example: An email with an unusually worded subject heading. Only permit someone to remotely access your computer if they are from a trusted source, such as your internet service provider. No genuine online company will contact you to ask for login information, including passwords. People should only need to provide this information when logging into a service, such as online banking. Do online searches to investigate the legitimacy of companies. Do not believe Caller ID. Technology being what it is, offenders can make it show up a legitimate company is calling. If something shows up suspicious, talk to a trusted family member or friend before signing up for a service or providing any money. Before making any online payments, make sure the website address is secure. Suspend up on robocalls Sign up for free scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/scams Residents who have questions or concerns can call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736 and ask for Officer Chuck Parisi, Crime Prevention, or Officer Penny Boedigheimer, Senior Care.

Geneva Police Sergeant Recognized For Contributions To Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois has introduced Geneva Police Sgt. Dan Kott with the Flame of Hope Award for his twenty five years of dedicated volunteer service to the organization. The Flame of Hope Award is the highest honor of recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois and is introduced annually to one individual and one police department in the state for their steadfast involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The award is based on the nominee’s ingenuity, drive, commitment and dedication to the Torch Run, which directly impacts the lives of almost 43,000 athletes and children with and without intellectual disabilities. Sgt. Kott received the award earlier this month during a presentation in Bloomington, Ill. “We are enormously proud of Sgt. Dan Kott for his contributions to Special Olympics,” Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “Sgt. Kott’s selfless dedication to this significant cause reflects very pridefully on himself, the Geneva Police Department and the City of Geneva.” After being hired by the City in 1990, Sgt. Kott has spent innumerable hours of his own time championing the cause of Special Olympics by facilitating many community fundraisers. Sgt. Kott has worked tirelessly to proceed a Special Olympics fundraising pig roast that was the creation of Geneva Police Officer Keith Koza and his wifey, Mary. Officer Koza passed away in two thousand nine after a courageous battle with cancer. Due to the generous contributions of time and financial support from Mary Koza and Josef’s Elegante Meats & Deli, the pig roast has continued to flourish today.

UPDATE: Police Investigating Numerous Reports Of Vandalism

The Geneva Police Department is asking residents to be vigilant in monitoring their neighborhoods for suspicious or unusual activity after several reports of graffiti in the City last weekend. Police proceed to investigate the vandalism that took place Jan. Thirteen to fifteen after spray-painted symbols and words referencing various gangs were found on properties via Geneva. Graffiti was reported at the following locations: Stop sign at Oak and Kane streets; Home’s vinyl siding and garage door in the one hundred block of South Harrison Street; Garage door in the zero to one hundred block of Crissey Avenue; Fence in the zero to one hundred block of Kane Street; Wood siding of garage in the eight hundred block of Center Street; Fence in the six hundred block of Richards Street; Fence and sign in the three hundred and four hundred blocks of East State Street; Stop and street signs at North and Illinois streets; and Brick building in the six hundred block of North Street. “The Geneva Police Department is taking these illegal activities very earnestly and understands residents see this as an affront to their community. This type of graffiti will not be tolerated in Geneva,” Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “People who see vandalism taking place should instantly call nine hundred eleven and permit police to investigate the incident.” The City’s online request system, which was utilized by residents last weekend, should only be used to report non-emergency situations since it is not monitored twenty four hours a day. Police have worked diligently with property owners to eliminate the vandalism as quickly as possible. Anyone with information regarding last weekend’s incidents should call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

Fines Dual For Drivers Who Disobey Crossing Gates In 2017

Metra and the Geneva Police Department remind drivers that beginning this year the penalties will dual for those who attempt to cross railroad tracks after the grade crossing systems have activated. Last year, the Governor signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Vehicle Code that increases fines for drivers who disregard railroad gates and warning lights from $250 to $500 for the very first offense and from $500 to $1,000 for a 2nd offense. The law became effective Jan. 1. Illinois, which ranked 2nd in the nation in two thousand fifteen for highway-rail fatalities, will now have some of the strictest penalties in the country for these types of vehicular offenses. Almost seventy five to eighty percent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices, including lights, gates and bells, according to Illinois Operation Lifesaver. The legislation was initiated by Metra last spring as part of a larger effort to promote rail safety awareness and eliminate preventable injuries and deaths at highway-rail crossings. Illinois has the 2nd largest rail system of any state with more than 7,300 miles of track and more than Ten,300 public highway crossings. In 2015, Illinois also had the third highest number of rail crossing collisions (140), the 2nd highest number of rail crossing fatalities (24) and the third highest number of rail crossing injuries (79), according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Metra conducts Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at train stations across the Chicago suburbs across the year, including forty five blitzes in 2016. Operation Lifesaver is a national organization that works to educate and promote safe behavior near the tracks by suggesting free rail safety education programs. The organization’s work is co-sponsored by local, state and federal government agencies, highway safety organizations and America’s railroads. News Release Courtesy Of Metra

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