2025: The Year in Review

Published on December 01, 2025

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St. Charles continues to be a vibrant city where residents love to live and businesses thrive. Here is a look back at some of the City’s highlights of 2025:

  1. Development
    • Whole Foods opened downtown
    • Construction of the Fox Haven Square project began
    • Completed a feasibility study of the former Police Department site
  2. Infrastructure Improvements
    • The 2025 Street Rehabilitation Program was the largest in City history, resurfacing and reconstructing 15.8 miles of roadway. Another 22,812 square yards of asphalt patching was completed.
    • After federal funding fell through, the City used local funds to resurface Prairie Street.
    • 322 trees were planted
    • 1,288 streetlights were upgraded to energy-efficient LED fixtures.
    • Replaced an aging transformer at the 12th Street Substation with a reconditioned transformer that improved service and saved money
  3. Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements
    • Installed 1.5 miles of dedicated bike lanes on Fox Chase Blvd. and Stonehedge Road and a half-mile multi-use path along Kautz Road
    • Filled in 400 feet of sidewalk gaps
    • Installed a pedestrian refuge island on Illinois Street at the Fox River Trail crossing
    • Painted 102 sharrows on designated bike routes
    • Adopted to new Bike Policy that includes ebikes
  4. Improving the Customer Experience
    • Finance Department launched a new mobile app for residents and business to manage their utility account on their phone
    • Economic Development launched a new online platform for business liquor license applications and renewals
  5. Public Safety

    Fire Department

    • The Fire Department hosted several trainings, including Haz-Mat exercises with the FBI and local fire agencies, search training at Charlestowne Mall, dive and ice rescue drills, and electric vehicle fire training

    • Also conducted Advanced Shooter Incident Management course for more than 60 police officers and firefighters

    • A new automated fire station alerting system went live in April. The system enhances response times and operational efficiency through digital alerts

    • Joined Project Fire Buddies initiative that supports critically ill children and their families

    Police Department

  • Responded to 27,437 calls for service in FY2024-25
  • New leadership in the St. Charles Police Department, with the hiring of Chief Daniel J. Likens
  • Raised nearly $39,000 for Special Olympics Illinois through several fundraising events, including Polar Plunge, Cop on a Rooftop, Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament, and more in FY2024-25

6. Financial Stewardship and Professional Development

  • Our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was awarded its 39th Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
  • HR developed new Leadership and Supervisor Training programs, plus launched Mental Health First Aid training, and a 30/60/90-day check-in process for new employees.

7. Podcast

  • Three episodes of the City's new podcast City Insider were released and shared powerful insight into first responder mental health, the latest development news—including Charlestowne Mall—and a dramatic recap of the Pheasant Run fire, the largest in St. Charles history. You’ll also hear conversations with Mayor Hull and the alderpersons. More to come…

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