WELCOME
Hello and welcome to our website. I have chosen the word “our” because I have created this site as a resource for Wheaton residents and visitors. Your interaction and participation is what will bring this site to life.
My goal is to highlight the extraordinary people, the boundless places and the distinctive personality of our terrific City of Wheaton. Explore this website for resources you can use, facts-based local news, local events to enjoy, photos submitted by you and much more.
VISION
If we take a moment to step back from our busy lives and reflect for a moment, it is clear: We are all truly fortunate to live in Wheaton. Others seem to agree, as it was recently ranked among the top three Best Small Cities in Illinois in which to live.* It also placed 59th in the nation out of 1300 small cities!
Given these rankings, it is no surprise that the 2020 Census revealed Wheaton has grown by more than 1,000 people over the past ten years. This means our City of Wheaton has grown to 53,970 citizens—the third-largest city in DuPage County. That is quite a leap forward from its humble beginnings in 1859.
Back then, Erastus Gary, Jesse Wheaton and his brother, Warren, realized how important infrastructure was to a community. Early on, they donated land to the railroad company, which helped lay the foundation of Wheaton’s City Center. That tradition and foresight carry on today.
What does this year have in store for Wheaton? Despite not raising taxes or revenues, the 2023 budget will maintain current services and will invest more than 22% of the budget—$26.9 million—in capital improvements. This will facilitate the continued dedication to essential infrastructure that Wheaton’s founders established more than a century ago.
This year, key investments to our infrastructure include improving nearly 4 miles of Wheaton roads, adding 7.5 miles of new sidewalks to improve safety, reinforcing the storm sewers and renovating the library’s West Plaza (aided by a federal grant). Wheaton is also enhancing environmental stability through initiatives to maximize efficiency of all City facilities, reduce vehicle emissions, replace traditional street lights with LED versions, sponsor recycling events and more. Learn about the progress and completion of such projects in our Wheaton News feature.
The City continues to be well-positioned to withstand economic downturns because of its strong economy, financial policies and budget performance and flexibility. In fact, the City of Wheaton is one of only 19 communities in Illinois and 426 in the U.S. to receive Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings ‘AAA’ credit rating, the top possible rating.
A dedication to structural improvements and amenities, combined with a sense of public safety, fiscal responsibility and our caring citizens who are ready and willing to help those in need—this is the City of Wheaton. This is home.
ENGAGE
Please join me on this journey. I invite you to be engaged—contact us with feedback and ideas to help shape this community resource. Please use the Contact Form to send us your ideas for little-known “gems” in Wheaton, topics to explore, people to thank and information readers would find helpful. We’d also love to highlight your photos from Wheaton events. Share a few through our Contact Form.
Don’t be a stranger! We’re all neighbors, in Wheaton.
Best regards,
Mayor Phil Suess
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