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C I T Y O F
WEST CHICAGO
W H E R E H I S T O R Y & P R O G R E S S M E E T



475 Main Street
West Chicago, Illinois
60185

T 630.293.2200
F 630.293.3028
westchicago.org

Daniel Bovey
MAYOR

Viviana Ramirez
CITY ADMINISTRATOR






ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Water Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane

AGENDA
1. Call to Order & Establish a Quorum

2. Approval of Minutes
a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2026
b. Environmental Commission Special Meeting Minutes of August 28, 2026

3. Public Participation/Presentations

4. Items for Consent

5. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List
a. Current List
b. New Additions or Upcoming Events
i. Fall Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up Event (Hawthorne Lane) – September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM
1. Meet-up Location: 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane
ii. Pumpkin Composting – November 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
1. Location: New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington St
2. Draft Event Flyer (Enclosed)
iii. Holiday Lights Recycling Event – November 27, 2026 to January 15, 2027
1. Drop-off Locations: City Hall, New Hope United Methodist Church, Murphy Ace
Hardware, Water Treatment Plant, West Chicago Library, The ARC Center, Jewel Osco

6. Other Business
a. Commission’s FY 2027 Budget request was due Friday, August 21, 2026. The budget request
was verbally discussed between the Staff Liaison, Chair, and Co-Chair on August 20, 2026. The
following request was proposed by the Public Works Department:
i. $5,000.00 - Promotional and Educational Materials
ii. $10,000.00 – 2027 EC events postcards and postage fees
b. 2026 Community Survey Results (Pending) – Commissioner Kesler

7. Sustainability Subcommittee Updates

8. Liaison Updates (e.g., Development Committee, Downtown Revitalization Commission)

9. Upcoming Commission Meetings
a. October 15, 2026, 6:00 PM, City Hall
b. November 19, 2026, 6:00 PM, City Hall

10. Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up

11. Adjournment

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WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET

475 Main Street
West Chicago, Illinois
60185

T 630.293.2200
F 630.293.3028
westchicago.org

Daniel Bovey
MAYOR

Viviana Ramirez
CITY ADMINISTRATOR






Draft

MEETING MINUTES

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
July 16, 2026, 3:00 P.M.

1. Call to Order & Establish a Quorum
a. Dave Shah, Staff Liaison, called the meeting to order at 3:06 P.M.
b. Members in attendance included Chair Nazree Williams, Co-Chair Allen
Rodriguez, Commissioner Bob Blaus, Commissioner Victoria Burris,
Commissioner David Carlson, and Commissioner Matt McClure.
c. Aldermanic liaison present included Alderman Christopher Swiatek.
d. Staff liaison present included Assistant Director of Public Works, Dave Shah.

2. Tour of the West Chicago/Winfield Regional Water Treatment Plant
Discussion: None.

3. Approval of Minutes
a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2026
i.
Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Carlson, to approve the
Meeting Minutes.
1. Voting Yea: Williams, Rodriguez, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, and
McClure
2. Voting Nay: None.

4. Public Participation/Presentations
a. None

5. Items for Consent
a. None

6. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List
a. Current List
Discussion: None.
b. New Additions or Upcoming Events
i.
Fall Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event (Hawthorne Lane) – September
17, 2026, 5:00 PM
1. Meet Up Location: 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane
Discussion: None.
ii.
Pumpkin Composting – November 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
1. Location: New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington
St
Discussion: None.
iii.
Holiday Lights Recycling Event – November 27, 2026, to January 15,
2027

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1. Drop-off Locations: City Hall, New Hope United Methodist Church,
Murphy Ace Hardware, Water Treatment Plant, West Chicago
Library, The ARC Center, Jewel Osco
Discussion: Shah suggested Commissioners let him know if they
have additional drop-off locations in mind so he can begin
coordinating them as soon as possible.

7. Other Business
a. Commission’s FY 2027 Budget Request Due Friday, August 21, 2026
i.
Submit to Staff Liaison August 12, 2026
ii.
2026 Budget Request Enclosed
Discussion: Rodriguez provided a summary of his meeting with Carlson, Director
of Public Works Mehul Patel, and the City’s Business & Community Relations
Director, Kelley Chrisse, regarding publicizing the Environmental Commission’s
activities and initiatives.  Patel suggested the Commission provide Chrisse with a
quarterly list or update of the Commission’s activities so that a mailer or postcard
could be produced for residents, which would need to be budgeted for.
Rodriguez shared that this was a good first step toward moving forward and
helping the Communications Department understand that the Commission is
highly public-facing and needs the department’s assistance in promoting its
events and accomplishments.  Shah noted that he would share the draft of the
new Sustainability & Stewardship webpage with the Commission for review and
feedback.
b. 2026 Community Survey Results – Commissioner Kesler
Discussion: Shah noted this would be discussed at the next meeting since Kesler
could not attend the meeting.
c. August 2026 Meeting & Tour Update – Commissioner Blaus
Discussion: Commissioners discussed potential dates and availability for tours of
the Urban Stream Research Center and Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
i.
Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to move the August 20,
2026, meeting to August 28, 2026.
1. Voting Yea: Williams, Rodriguez, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, and
McClure
2. Voting Nay: None.
d. Data Center Timeline & Discussion
Discussion: Commissioner Kesler previously requested a timeline for the data
center under construction at 1345 W. Washington Street and wanted to
understand why the Commission was not engaged in the development process.
Shah discussed this with the City’s Director of Community Development and
shared some information with the Commission regarding the development.  It is a
permitted use in the manufacturing district, so no special use permit was
required.  There is also no City Code provision that requires Environmental
Commission review of private developments.  The Community Development
Department, Development Commission, and City Council oversee the issuance
of permits, not Public Works.  Shah asked the Commission what its expectations
are of staff and Public Works as it pertains to development, since almost every
project has an environmental impact in some capacity.  Following some
discussion, the Commissioners requested that Shah and Swiatek keep them
apprised of what the City plans to do during the six-month moratorium and how
the City can ensure that environmental impacts are embedded in the process.
Shah noted that the site permit for the data center was applied for on August 21,
2025, and issued on April 21, 2026.  Additionally, the building permit was applied
for on January 6, 2026, and issued on May 12, 2026.
e. How to Get a New ComEd Streetlight in Residential Areas

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Discussion: Shah distributed a document previously drafted by the Environmental
Commission in 2019.  In 2015, the Infrastructure Committee tasked the
Commission with devising a policy for streetlight requests, and this document
was the result.  The Public Works Department has occasionally received
requests for additional streetlights, but no formal policy was ever adopted from
this draft.  Shah brought it before the Commission to determine whether there
was interest in reviewing and approving a policy, since it pertains to light
pollution.  Currently, unless streetlights are installed as part of a Capital
Improvement Project, no new streetlights can be added, and City Code is very
specific regarding the spacing and locations where streetlights can be installed.
Some discussion followed.
i.
Carlson made a motion, seconded by Williams, to reject the draft
streetlight policy and continue with the City’s standing operating
procedure of rejecting streetlight requests.
1. Voting Yea: Williams, Rodriguez, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, and
McClure
2. Voting Nay: None.

8. Sustainability Subcommittee Updates
Discussion: Williams updated the Commission on her involvement with Healthy West
Chicago and its task of improving walkability in the City.  She noted that many groups
are represented, including the Park District, the City, the Township, Public Works, and
Forest Preserve, among others.

9. Liaison Updates (e.g., Development Committee, Downtown Revitalization Commission)
Discussion: Upon Rodriguez’s request, Shah provided Groot collection data for the
Commission.  Rodriguez inquired whether there were any goals or metrics by which to
measure Groot’s collection, but Shah indicated it was strictly data that could be
compared year-to-year to identify trends.  Carlson also briefed the Commission on the
latest Development Committee meeting.

10. Upcoming Commission Meetings
a. August 20, 2026, 6:00 PM, City Hall  August 28, 2026, Time TBD, Location TBD
b. September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM, Water Treatment Plant

11. Adjournment
a. At 4:45 P.M., Rodriguez made a motion to adjourn, and Carlson seconded the
motion.  The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.

Respectfully,

Ashley Heidorn
Public Works Administrative Assistant

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WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET

475 Main Street
West Chicago, Illinois
60185

T 630.293.2200
F 630.293.3028
westchicago.org

Daniel Bovey
MAYOR

Viviana Ramirez
CITY ADMINISTRATOR






Draft

MEETING MINUTES

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
August 28, 2026, 9:00 A.M.

1. Call to Order & Establish a Quorum
a. Quorum was confirmed.
b. Members in attendance included Chair Nazree Williams, Commissioner Bob
Blaus, Commissioner Victoria Burris, and Commissioner David Carlson
c. Staff present included Ashley Heidorn, Public Works Administrative Assistant

2. Tour of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Urban Stream Research
Center. For Information and learning purposes only.
Location:  Blackwell Forest Preserve
                 28 Butterfield Road
                 Warrenville, IL 60555
Time:        9:00 AM

Discussion: None.

3. Approval of Minutes – N/A

4. Public Participation/Presentations – N/A

5. Items for Consent – N/A

6. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List
a. Current List – N/A
b. New Additions or Upcoming Events
i.
Fall Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event (Hawthorne Lane) – September
17, 2026, 5:00 PM
1. Meet Up Location: 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane
ii.
Pumpkin Composting – November 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
1. Location: New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington
St
iii.
Holiday Lights Recycling Event – November 27, 2026, to January 15,
2027
1. Drop-off Locations: City Hall, New Hope United Methodist Church,
Murphy Ace Hardware, Water Treatment Plant, West Chicago
Library, The ARC Center, Jewel Osco

7. Other Business – N/A

8. Sustainability Subcommittee Updates – N/A

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9. Liaison Updates (e.g., Development Committee, Downtown Revitalization Commission)
– N/A
10.

Upcoming Commission Meetings
a. September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM, Water Treatment Plant
b. October 15, 2026, 6:00 PM, City Hall
11.

Adjournment
a. The tour ended at approximately 11:00 A.M.
Respectfully,
Ashley Heidorn
Public Works Administrative Assistant

===== PDF PAGE 7 =====

Pumpkin Composting
DON'T T RA SH YOUR PUMPKINS!
COMPOST T HEM!
COMPOST ING RET URNS
NUT RIENT S A ND WA T ER BA CK
T O T HE SOIL . PUMPKINS A RE
NUT RIENT - RICH A ND 90 %
WA T ER! T HEY A RE GREA T FOR
OUR SOIL , BUT BA D FOR OUR
L A NDFIL L S.
NOVEMBER 7, 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- HOST ED BY T HE WEST CHICA GO ENV IRONMENT A L COMMISSION
DROP OFF YOUR PUMPKINS!
*REMOV E CA NDL ES A ND
 DECORA T IONS.

===== PDF PAGE 8 =====

NO T IRES T US CA L A BA ZA S
¡COMPOST A RL A S!
EL COMPOST A J E DEV UEL V E
NUT RIENT ES Y A GUA A L A
T IERRA . ¡L A S CA L A BA ZA S SON
RICA S EN NUT RIENT ES Y SON
90 % A GUA ! SON EX CEL ENT ES
PA RA NUEST RO SUEL O, PERO
MA L A S PA RA L OS
V ERT EDEROS.
Compostaje de calabaza
 7 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- PA T ROCINA DA POR L A COMISION A MBIENT A L DE WEST CHICA GO
¡DEJA TUS CALABAZAS!
*QUIT A V EL A S Y
DECORA CIONES

===== PDF PAGE 9 =====

Pumpkin Composting
DON'T T RA SH YOUR PUMPKINS!
COMPOST T HEM!
COMPOST ING RET URNS
NUT RIENT S A ND WA T ER BA CK
T O T HE SOIL . PUMPKINS A RE
NUT RIENT - RICH A ND 90 %
WA T ER! T HEY A RE GREA T FOR
OUR SOIL , BUT BA D FOR OUR
L A NDFIL L S.
NOVEMBER 7, 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- HOST ED BY T HE WEST CHICA GO ENV IRONMENT A L COMMISSION
DROP OFF YOUR PUMPKINS!
*REMOV E CA NDL ES A ND
 DECORA T IONS.
Pumpkin Composting
DON'T T RA SH YOUR PUMPKINS!
COMPOST T HEM!
COMPOST ING RET URNS
NUT RIENT S A ND WA T ER BA CK
T O T HE SOIL . PUMPKINS A RE
NUT RIENT - RICH A ND 90 %
WA T ER! T HEY A RE GREA T FOR
OUR SOIL , BUT BA D FOR OUR
L A NDFIL L S.
NOVEMBER 7, 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- HOST ED BY T HE WEST CHICA GO ENV IRONMENT A L COMMISSION
DROP OFF YOUR PUMPKINS!
*REMOV E CA NDL ES A ND
 DECORA T IONS.
Pumpkin Composting
DON'T T RA SH YOUR PUMPKINS!
COMPOST T HEM!
COMPOST ING RET URNS
NUT RIENT S A ND WA T ER BA CK
T O T HE SOIL . PUMPKINS A RE
NUT RIENT - RICH A ND 90 %
WA T ER! T HEY A RE GREA T FOR
OUR SOIL , BUT BA D FOR OUR
L A NDFIL L S.
NOVEMBER 7, 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- HOST ED BY T HE WEST CHICA GO ENV IRONMENT A L COMMISSION
DROP OFF YOUR PUMPKINS!
*REMOV E CA NDL ES A ND
 DECORA T IONS.
Pumpkin Composting
DON'T T RA SH YOUR PUMPKINS!
COMPOST T HEM!
COMPOST ING RET URNS
NUT RIENT S A ND WA T ER BA CK
T O T HE SOIL . PUMPKINS A RE
NUT RIENT - RICH A ND 90 %
WA T ER! T HEY A RE GREA T FOR
OUR SOIL , BUT BA D FOR OUR
L A NDFIL L S.
NOVEMBER 7, 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- HOST ED BY T HE WEST CHICA GO ENV IRONMENT A L COMMISSION
DROP OFF YOUR PUMPKINS!
*REMOV E CA NDL ES A ND
 DECORA T IONS.

===== PDF PAGE 10 =====

NO T IRES T US CA L A BA ZA S
¡COMPOST A RL A S!
EL COMPOST A J E DEV UEL V E
NUT RIENT ES Y A GUA A L A
T IERRA . ¡L A S CA L A BA ZA S SON
RICA S EN NUT RIENT ES Y SON
90 % A GUA ! SON EX CEL ENT ES
PA RA NUEST RO SUEL O, PERO
MA L A S PA RA L OS
V ERT EDEROS.
Compostaje de calabaza
 7 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- PA T ROCINA DA POR L A COMISION A MBIENT A L DE WEST CHICA GO
¡DEJA TUS CALABAZAS!
*QUIT A V EL A S Y
DECORA CIONES
NO T IRES T US CA L A BA ZA S
¡COMPOST A RL A S!
EL COMPOST A J E DEV UEL V E
NUT RIENT ES Y A GUA A L A
T IERRA . ¡L A S CA L A BA ZA S SON
RICA S EN NUT RIENT ES Y SON
90 % A GUA ! SON EX CEL ENT ES
PA RA NUEST RO SUEL O, PERO
MA L A S PA RA L OS
V ERT EDEROS.
Compostaje de calabaza
 7 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- PA T ROCINA DA POR L A COMISION A MBIENT A L DE WEST CHICA GO
¡DEJA TUS CALABAZAS!
*QUIT A V EL A S Y
DECORA CIONES
NO T IRES T US CA L A BA ZA S
¡COMPOST A RL A S!
EL COMPOST A J E DEV UEL V E
NUT RIENT ES Y A GUA A L A
T IERRA . ¡L A S CA L A BA ZA S SON
RICA S EN NUT RIENT ES Y SON
90 % A GUA ! SON EX CEL ENT ES
PA RA NUEST RO SUEL O, PERO
MA L A S PA RA L OS
V ERT EDEROS.
Compostaje de calabaza
 7 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- PA T ROCINA DA POR L A COMISION A MBIENT A L DE WEST CHICA GO
¡DEJA TUS CALABAZAS!
*QUIT A V EL A S Y
DECORA CIONES
NO T IRES T US CA L A BA ZA S
¡COMPOST A RL A S!
EL COMPOST A J E DEV UEL V E
NUT RIENT ES Y A GUA A L A
T IERRA . ¡L A S CA L A BA ZA S SON
RICA S EN NUT RIENT ES Y SON
90 % A GUA ! SON EX CEL ENT ES
PA RA NUEST RO SUEL O, PERO
MA L A S PA RA L OS
V ERT EDEROS.
Compostaje de calabaza
 7 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2026
NEW HOPE UNIT ED MET HODIST CHURCH
643 EA ST WA SHINGT ON ST REET , WEST CHICA GO
9:0 0 A .M. - 1:0 0 P.M.
CO- PA T ROCINA DA POR L A COMISION A MBIENT A L DE WEST CHICA GO
¡DEJA TUS CALABAZAS!
*QUIT A V EL A S Y
DECORA CIONES