Resident guide
Historic Preservation and Public Art Programs
Find preservation review, artist opportunities, annual banner programs and clearly dated cultural-program archives.
Historic preservation
Local historic districts and landmarks may have design-review requirements. Confirm whether review applies before exterior work and use current ordinances, applications and design guidelines.
Artists and annual programs
The City periodically invites artists, performers and vendors and operates annual Art Banner and Veterans Banner programs. Official notices control themes, eligibility, deadlines, forms, voting and available spaces.
WeGo Lotería
This recurring cultural activity uses boards and participating locations during an announced season. The 2025 dates and map are historical; check the official page for an active season.
Dated cultural archives
Olmec Trails was a 2024 outdoor exhibit and Year of the Alebrijes was a 2022 cultural initiative. Preserve their artists, partners and cultural context as history—not current event advertising. The empty 2025 Art Banner duplicate is folded into the continuing program.
Source coverage: Art Banner Exhibit 2025
The published page contains no resident-facing body content. It is treated as an empty duplicate and adds no separate program, procedure, record or requirement to this guide. Residents should use the continuing program information and current official notices instead.
Source coverage: City of West Chicago: Calls for Artists
Are you an artist looking to share your work with the community? The City of West Chicago is committed to supporting artists and strengthening our creative community through public art, events, and cultural opportunities. Explore our open calls for artists below and apply to bring your creativity to West Chicago. Each listing includes a link to the full call, along with important deadlines, project details, and instructions on how to apply. The Art of Community: Join Our Artist & Talent Network The City of West Chicago is seeking local talent, including musicians and vocalists, dance groups and cultural performance troupes, theater and spoken word performers, visual and multimedia artists, teaching artists offering workshops or demonstrations, and more to join our talent list. Submitting a form or a call for artist application does not guarantee or commit you to participate in any specific event. The applications This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Historic Architecture
Historic preservation is a link through which the memory of a community is preserved and passed onto succeeding generations. By definition, historic preservation is the thoughtful management of buildings, sites, structures, objects and landscapes. Preservation can be a tool for economic development or a mechanism to maintain a community’s individual identify and personality. Our historic resources enable us to make sense of our past, which helps us to better understand our present, and ultimately guide us in wise planning for our future. Resources: West Chicago Residential Design Guideline Manual Commercial Storefront Guidelines Related: Project of Renewal
Source coverage: Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Historic preservation is a link through which the memory of a community is preserved and passed onto succeeding generations. By definition, historic preservation is the thoughtful management of buildings, sites, structures, objects and landscapes. Preservation can be a tool for economic development or a mechanism to maintain a community’s individual identify and personality. A Preservation Ordinance was enacted in 1990 that established the West Chicago Historical Preservation Commission. The Commission consists of seven members who are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of City Council and who have demonstrated special interests, experience or education in history, architecture or the preservation of historic resources. East Washington Historic District West Chicago is the first Illinois community created by the coming of the railroads – however, a few settlers owned property in the area of present-day West Chicago as early as the late 1830’s. As This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Olmec Trails in West Chicago
Archived context: Olmec Trails in West Chicago Learn About the Exhibit Visit Sculptures in West Chicago Participate in WeGolmec Trail Scavenger Hunt Visit MCCD’s Latest Exhibit Celebration of Olmec Trails: Culture & Legacy Welcome to the City of West Chicago’s celebration of the vibrant “Olmec Trails: Culture & Legacy” art exhibit! As a proud Municipal Hub Sponsor, the City is excited to invite residents to explore this unique regional exhibit, featuring 33 stunning sculptures spread across DuPage County, including here in West Chicago. In West Chicago, residents can find four of these eye-catching pieces at the West Chicago Public Library, Reed-Keppler Park, the Kruse House Museum, and Kline Creek Farm. Olmec Trails: Culture & Legacy is organized by the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, based in West Chicago’s Gallery 200 at 103 W. Washington Street, this exhibit showcases the rich heritage of the Olmec civilization with colorful, hand-painted This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Veterans Day Project
About the Program Program Guidelines Photo Guidelines Nominate Someone for Program Program Inductees About the Program The West Chicago Veterans Day Display Program was created to honor local veterans through the installation of decorative banners installed downtown from the third week of October through the last week of November. Each banner features a local Veteran’s military, accompanied by their name, years of service, and military branch and is featured in the City’s downtown pedestrian-oriented zone, which includes street sections of Main Street from Washington Street to Wilson Avenue, Galena Street from Main Street to High Street, and Turner Court from Washington Street to Main Street. Cost The Program is fully funded by the City of West Chicago and there is no cost to participants or their nominators. Program Guidelines To ensure there is no maximum number of participants, the Program guidelines include printing a different This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: WeGo Loteria
English Espanol National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15, honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. In West Chicago, the celebration begins with the launch of WeGo Lotería at the Mexican Independence Day Festival on Sunday, September 14, in Downtown West Chicago and continues through Día de Los Muertos on November 2. Lotería is a beloved Mexican game of chance, often compared to bingo, that has been played for generations at family gatherings, community festivals, and cultural events. West Chicago’s Cultural Arts Commission has reimagined this tradition in a uniquely local way. The free, interactive activity features 42 original artworks created by 20 talented local artists, each interpreting traditional lotería images in their own style. New images are added each year, ensuring the game continues to grow and evolve with the community. How This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit
West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit The City of West Chicago hosts an annual art banner exhibit for regional and national artists to submit new artwork that embraces a different unique theme for each year. The Exhibit is organized by the City’s Cultural Arts Commission. After submissions are received, they are judged with a select number being chosen to be entered in the WeGo Art Banner Exhibit. The selected artworks are then reproduced on large-scale streetlight pole banners that are then put on display throughout the City’s downtown. Throughout the exhibit, the public is invited to participate in voting for their favorite artwork. The artwork with the most votes, is recognized as the “People’s Choice” Recipient for that year’s exhibit. 2026 Art Banner Exhibit 2026 Exhibit Details Exhibit Theme The 2026 theme for artwork is: Red, White, Blue/Rojo, Blanco, Azul Exhibit Juror Nick Caltagirone is a This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Year of the Alebrijes
Archived context: A Portal Has Opened in West Chicago A magical portal has opened in West Chicago and the special creatures, known as alebrijes, have begun to spread throughout the community. The magical creatures known to visit the dreams of people, have been visit West Chicago community partners who’ve been inspired to create a series of fun community events and art exhibits throughout the community to celebrate the “Year of the Alebrijes” in West Chicago. This page provides a guide to all the different events and activities occurring throughout West Chicago. Click the buttons below to learn more about the different exhibits and events and where they’re located. Cantigny Park’s Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World The “Year of the Alebrijes” in West Chicago is a special celebration to commemorate the art installation, Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World, that will be happening at Cantigny Park this This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.