From Wheaton Mayor Philip Suess | State of the City Address | January, 2024

“Happy New Year, Wheaton! As we leap into 2024, we close the books on an eventful year in our community.

From new developments and infrastructure projects to giant prehistoric visitors and the grand finale on downtown improvements, the list of noteworthy events and accomplishments in our community this year is long. For time’s sake, let’s take a look at the highlights reel.

I now present to you, in no particular order, the top 10 stories from the year in Wheaton as we continue to take our City to new heights.”

  • #10: Wheaton welcomes new leaders
    • Three Wheaton City Council members were up for re-election in 2023.
    • Newcomer Brad Clousing was sworn into office as Councilman at Large.
    • Erica Bray-Parker was elected to her second term as Councilwoman at Large.
    • Mayor Phil Suess was re-elected to a second term as Mayor of Wheaton.
    • Dawn Didier became the City’s new City Attorney.
    • Robert Brill became Wheaton’s new Fire Chief.
    • Princeton J. Youker was promoted to Police Chief in 2023.
  • #9: City celebrates completion of downtown cityscape project
    • 2023 marked the conclusion of a multi-year, $35 million investment in the heart of our City.
    • Much of this project focused on replacing decades-old infrastructure, such as sewer pipes, roads, street lights, and sidewalks.
    • New amenities helped make Downtown Wheaton a destination, drawing both residents and visitors.
    • This landmark project incorporated sustainability through native plants, permeable pavers, solar panels on the pavilion, LED street lights, and features to encourage biking and walking.
    • It also created gathering spaces, added wider sidewalks and safer crosswalks, incorporated modern signage, and realigned the Illinois Prairie Path.
    • The City hosted the Downtown Streetscape Celebration in conjunction with the official grand opening of the Wheaton French Market in the City’s new pavilion at Liberty & Main.
    • The new pavilion has also served as a new event space, including for this year’s Christmas Tree lighting.
  • #8: Warhol Comes to Wheaton
    • Color and creativity filled the summer months, as the Andy Warhol Portfolios Exhibit at the College of DuPage’s McAninch Arts Center inspired Pop Art in Wheaton.
    • Communities were challenged to honor four notable individuals from their community in Pop Art style.
    • Wheaton’s four faces were historian, Glennette Tilley Turner; abolitionist, and Wheaton College’s first president Jonathan Blanchard; Wheaton’s first female mayor, Marget Hamilton; and actor/comedian, Jim Belushi.
    • Pop Art infiltrated Wheaton in creative ways, through programs at the Wheaton Public Library, events, and more.
    • Wheaton’s Fine and Cultural Arts Committee selected local artists to paint Downtown Wheaton fire hydrants in Pop Art style.
    • The Commission hosted a birthday party honoring Andy Warhol’s art, complete with live music and activities.

To discover the rest of this incredible list, simply play the video on this post.

“Each resident, business, and organization in our community makes Wheaton the remarkable place that it is. Cheers to another great year in Wheaton!—Wheaton Mayor Philip Suess