Village of Carol Stream E-Newsletter

April 2024

Celebrate Earth Month

April is Earth Month, and there are so many ways to celebrate in Carol Stream! Let's show our planet some love by participating in eco-friendly activities, learning about sustainable practices, and making a positive impact on our environment. Below are some ideas to help you get started.

Enjoy a walk or bike ride. Did you know that Carol Stream features over 23 miles of paths and trails? The Village has an interactive bike and pedestrian map, which includes trails, paths, restrooms, rest areas, and more! You can access the map on the Village's website.

Help beautify the community and clean up litter by volunteering for the Village's Pond & Stream Sweep. This year's volunteer event takes place on Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Visit the Village's website to complete an online registration form and to view a map of this year's selected ponds for cleanup.

Pledge to conserve water by purchasing a rain barrel. In partnership with The Conservation Foundation, the Village is offering the sale of affordable rain barrels, which are a simple, efficient, and low-cost method to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from your property. More information is available on the Village website.

Reduce waste by recycling accepted materials. Learn more about the Village's recycling and special item collection on the Village's refuse and recycling web page.

Klein Creek Streambank Stabilization Progress Update

The Klein Creek Streambank Stabilization - Section III project is making progress. Streambank stabilization is nearly complete from the pedestrian bridge to Mitchell Lakes. While the new design maintains the current level of flood protection, it greatly improves the ability for fish and other aquatic species to pass back and forth. The extra dirt from creating wetlands adjacent to the creek will be added to the new sledding hill near Kids World at Armstrong Park, which is currently about two-thirds of the way to its new height. To view drone footage of the construction in progress, please visit the Village's Youtube channel.

Spring Code Enforcement Reminders

Periodically, the Village's property maintenance inspectors evaluate different areas within the Village and make note of property maintenance issues. Ensuring that your property is well-maintained will aid in preventing costly repairs and avoiding potential code violations. If you are planning to do any housework this spring, keep our most common property maintenance issues below in mind.

Common property maintenance issues include:

Tall grass and weeds in excess of 8 inches;
Damaged fences – leaning, boards damaged or missing, broken posts, sections missing, non-permanent repairs;
Trees determined to be dead, diseased, or infested with insects;
Trash or recycling containers visible from the street;
Outdoor storage of household items, tools or equipment, lawn maintenance equipment and appliances in the front or side yards;
Exterior deterioration – rotting wood, missing siding, fascia or roof shingles;
Inoperable vehicles or parking on unapproved surface (i.e. lawn or gravel); and
Bushes encroaching onto the sidewalk or tree branches encroaching less than 7 feet above the sidewalk.

The Village appreciates your cooperation in maintaining your property. If you have any questions about the Village’s inspection program, please do not hesitate to contact Community Development via email or by calling (630) 871-6230.

Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment

The Village Board approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget on Monday, April 1, 2024. Included in the FY25 plan is an increase in water rates, effective May 1, 2024. The water rate increase is primarily attributed to increased costs for the Village’s purchase of water from the DuPage Water Commission, which in turn purchases water from the City of Chicago.

In addition to the costs of purchasing water, the rate adjustment is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the Village’s water and sewer infrastructure. Over time, the Village’s infrastructure will require additional maintenance and improvements to maintain reliable service. While a majority of the Village’s infrastructure has not yet reached its life expectancy, periodic rate adjustments allow the Village to financially support planned capital projects both now and in the future.

Effective May 1, the total combined water and sewer billing rate will be $13.99 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed, representing a $0.40 increase, or 2.9% over rates that were last adjusted on May 1, 2022. Based on the average household consumption of 5,000 gallons of water per month, this increase is expected to cost property owners an additional $2.00 per month. Despite the adjusted rates, Carol Stream continues to have among the lowest combined water and sewer rates of the 30 communities that belong to the DuPage Water Commission.

For additional information regarding water and sewer billing, please see the Finance Department’s Utility Billing webpage.

DuPage County Launches Texting Option for 211 Helpline

In addition to dialing or browsing for help, DuPage County residents seeking health and human services can now find assistance by texting the County's free 211 information and referral line.

Residents can text their ZIP code to 898211 to connect with a County operator, who can provide referrals to assistance available near them. Texting service will be available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to the texting option, residents seeking help can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211dupage.gov to find services near them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Pace Bus Special Rates

Did you know that riders with disabilities who are certified for ADA Paratransit by the RTA can ride for free on Pace fixed route buses? Pace's fixed route buses feature ramps, dedicated seating areas, audio and visual stop announcements, and other accessibility features.

In addition, Pace offers reduced rates for seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities who are not ADA paratransit certified, and individuals with valid Medicare cards. Visit Pace's website to learn more.

Summer Event Season Preview

Summer is just around the corner, and so are the Village's special events!

Join us in celebrating the summer season and creating lasting memories with friends and family. Below is a preview of this year's summer events lineup.

The Village's Summer Concert Series has been a cherished annual tradition for decades, and is funded entirely through sponsor donations. Sponsorship packages include table space at events, as well as your organization's logo on promotional materials. If you are interested in a sponsorship contribution, please fill out our online form, or contact the Village at concertseries@carolstream.org.