Visit desplainesil.gov/accesspoint to view versions in Spanish and Polish.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR
Dear Friends & Neighbors:
This spring, I can confidently say that here in Des Plaines, we are ‘On Our Way.’
That progress starts with economic development. Downtown, the historic White Bank Building at 678 Lee Street is being transformed into “The Dime,” a new dining destination led by a renowned local restaurateur. In the southern part of the City, a 137,000-squarefoot Costco Business Center will soon be under construction, only the second of its kind in the Chicago area.
But being ‘On Our Way’ isn’t just about new projects and growth; it’s also about making life easier for residents. We’ve worked to make City services more accessible and easier to navigate. Upgrades to how residents access utilities and information online have made managing accounts and finding resources faster and more convenient.
As our community continues to thrive, residents have more reasons than ever to come together and celebrate. Residents can savor Food Truck Round Ups in May, July, and August, experience the Taste of Des Plaines on Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, enjoy special fireworks celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday on June 28 at Oakton College, and take part in the Independence Day Parade on July 4. I look forward to seeing many of you at these and other summer events that bring our community together.
Along with economic growth and improved City services, vibrant community events are proof that Des Plaines is ‘On Our Way.’ I am proud to serve alongside a dedicated City Council and staff who share this vision every day, and I look forward to continuing this work for all of you.
As always, if you would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at agoczkowski@desplainesil.gov or call my office at 847-391-5301.
Yours in Service,
Mayor Andrew Goczkowski
Mayor
Andrew Goczkowski agoczkowski@desplainesil.gov 847-391-5301
Ward 1
Margaret Chlebek mchlebek@desplainesil.gov 847-514-8526
Ward 3
Sean Oskerka soskerka@desplainesil.gov 847-514-6318
Ward 5
Thomas Merlin tmerlin@desplainesil.gov 847-812-6463
Ward 7
Patsy Smith psmith@desplainesil.gov 847-878-5289
City Clerk
Dominik Bronakowski
dbronakowski@desplainesil.gov 847-391-5311
Ward 2
Colt Moylan cmoylan@desplainesil.gov 847-530-3345
Ward 4
Dick Sayad dsayad@desplainesil.gov 847-894-4719
Ward 6
Mark Walsten mwalsten@desplainesil.gov 847-372-1097
Ward 8
Mike Charewicz mcharewicz@desplainesil.gov 847-878-5291
BUDGET OVERVIEW
ABOUT THE BUDGET
• Adopting the annual budget is one of the City Council’s most significant responsibilities.
• Sets the City’s financial direction and policy framework, guiding and influencing activities within the City.
• Determines the scope of capital projects, program sizes, and service levels based on community needs and priorities.
• The budget’s core goals are to maintain long-term financial stability while ensuring City services remain accessible and financially sustainable for the community.
• Balanced budget of $229.8M
BUDGET TAKEAWAYS
Where the Money Comes From
• $71.1M in capital improvements/investments (street, alley, water, sewer, facilities, IT and equipment enhancements, etc.) with no bond issues planned for 2026.
• Debt has been reduced from $102.3M in 2005 to $2.2M in 2026. The City is expected to be debt free in 2028.
• $23.5 M dedicated to reserves. The City has maintained a 25% Fund Balance for 16 consecutive years.
PROPERTY TAX SUMMARY
City of Des Plaines receives only about 10 cents of every property tax dollar paid.
TAP INTO CITY SERVICES
It’s now faster and more convenient to access City of Des Plaines services online. Updates to the website and utility payment portal make it easier than ever to find information or manage your water billing account, reflecting the City’s ongoing commitment to municipal excellence.
CITY
WEBSITE
The redesigned website helps you quickly locate services and information.
• Use the search bar at the top of the page to find exactly what you need
• Try the Service Finder on the homepage to navigate popular services
• Explore updated navigation menus and categories designed for straightforward browsing
We’re continuing to improve the site and welcome your feedback.
Share your thoughts at desplainesil.gov/webupdatesform or by scanning the QR code.
ONLINE UTILITY PAYMENT PORTAL
Managing your water bill is now more streamlined and mobile-friendly.
• View your account and check usage from any device
• Pay your bills or access previous account statements
• Follow simple steps to set up your account and get started
Signing up for an account takes just a few minutes.
Get started at desplainesil.gov/ utilitypaymentportal or by scanning the QR code.
SAVOR THE SUMMER WITH CITY EVENTS
Summer in Des Plaines is on the menu, and the City is offering a full lineup of events for you to feast on!
For more details, including exact hours for each event, visit desplainesil.gov/events
FIRST COURSE: FOOD TRUCK ROUND UP
• Tue, May 19 | 5–8 p.m. – Friendship Park & Conservatory (395 W. Algonquin Rd)
• Tue, July 21 | 5–8 p.m. – Metropolitan Square (Metropolitan Way & Market St)
• Tue, Aug 18 | 5–8 p.m. – Library Plaza (1501 Ellinwood Ave)
The City’s popular Food Truck Round Up events serve up a rotating lineup of local food trucks, with live entertainment on the side. Follow the City’s social media for updates on vendors and entertainment so you don’t miss a single flavor!
MAIN COURSE: TASTE OF DES PLAINES
• Fri, June 19 | 5–11 p.m. – Library Plaza (1501 Ellinwood Ave)
• Sat, June 20 | 12–11 p.m. – Library Plaza (1501 Ellinwood Ave)
Get ready to dig into this regional favorite over Father’s Day weekend. Enjoy live music, local restaurant bites, kid-friendly activities, a beer garden, and all the summer fun your appetite can handle.
INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL: A STAR-SPANGLED DUO
Community Fireworks
• Sun, June 28 | 7 p.m. (gates open) - Oakton College (1600 Golf Rd)
Independence Day Parade
• Sat, July 4 | 10 a.m. - Intersection of Center & Wicke Streets
Celebrate 250 years of America with a patriotic sampler. Start the festivities with a dazzling fireworks display at Oakton College. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy an extended finale worthy of 250 years of history. Entry will be off Golf Rd. only.
Then, enjoy the annual Independence Day Parade, themed “Celebrating 250 Years: America’s Past, Present, and Future,” featuring community floats, live music, and strolling entertainment. The parade proceeds north on Center to Prairie Ave., then east on Prairie, disbanding at Prairie and Pearson St.
Save room in your calendar for National Night Out on August 4 and Harvest Hoot on October 17
Economic Development: progress in Des Plaines
Several exciting projects are underway that will reshape the local business community in Des Plaines. From the transformation of a historic downtown landmark into a new dining destination to a major national brand establishing a presence on the City’s southern edge, these developments highlight continued investment in the City.
678 Lee Street: The Dime
The former White Bank Building at 678 Lee Street will soon be reimagined as “The Dime,” an innovative dining concept led by a renowned local restaurateur.
A prominent fixture in the downtown corridor, the White Bank Building has remained vacant since 2019. The City purchased the property in December 2024 following City Council approval, paving the way for its revitalization.
Having grown up in this incredible city, I’m honored to work alongside our city council in bringing new life to this remarkable property and our downtown as a whole. The momentum is real-we are truly ‘On Our Way!’
-David
Villegas, Developer of The Dime
Villegas recently met with Mayor Andrew Goczkowski to share a progress update and discuss his vision for The Dime. To watch the full interview, visit the City of Des Plaines YouTube or scan the QR code.
2200 and 2400 E. Devon Avenue: Costco
In January, the City Council approved a 137,000 square-foot Costco Business Center along Devon Avenue, only the second of its kind in the Chicago area. This isn’t just another store; it’s a major national brand choosing Des Plaines for a specialized format and putting us firmly on the map with site selectors and investors.
These aren’t the only projects reshaping Des Plaines. Total construction value in 2025 reached approximately $187 million—nearly double the year before—with the vast majority in non-residential development. That 93% year-over-year increase reflects real momentum that is expected to continue into 2026.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Department: Highlighting Human Services
The City of Des Plaines has made a significant investment in connecting residents with critical services through the recently updated Community Resource Guide.
This comprehensive guide, developed and maintained by the City’s Human Services team, serves as a centralized, easy-tonavigate directory of organizations and programs available to community members. The update represents a major effort to ensure residents can quickly find accurate, up-to-date information when they need support.
Serving individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds, the Human Services team works closely with local agencies to provide referrals and guidance across a wide range of needs, including transportation, financial wellness, substance use treatment, housing assistance, legal services, food access, and senior support.
This coordinated, community-focused approach helps remove barriers and ensures residents have access to the resources that support their health, stability, and overall well-being.
To explore the updated Community Resource Guide, visit desplainesil.gov/ communityresourceguide.
Fire Department: Station 62 Upgrades & Temporary Relocation
Des Plaines Fire Station #62 on E. Oakton Street is set for a major upgrade, with a multimillion-dollar renovation project planned. The improvements will modernize the facility, support enhanced daily operations and training, and ensure the department is equipped to meet current and future emergency response needs.
During construction, the City is partnering with the Village of Rosemont to ensure uninterrupted fire and EMS coverage. Station 62 personnel and equipment will temporarily operate out of Rosemont Fire Station 2 on W. Higgins Road, keeping crews positioned near Des Plaines’ south side to support consistent emergency response.
The construction will not affect the annual Fire Department Open House, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 63 (130 E. Thacker).
Get fired up for a day of hands-on activities and up-close looks at emergency response vehicles by visiting desplainesil.gov/ fireopenhouse
protect your property & possessions
Des Plaines participates in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), making flood insurance available for any property within City limits. Flood insurance is required for properties located within regulatory floodplains that have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender (such as a bank or credit union). There are three types of flood insurance coverage that can be purchased:
• Structural coverage for everything that stays with the house when it is sold. This is required by a lender for properties located within the regulatory floodplain.
• Contents coverage for possessions excluding money, valuable papers, etc.
• Sump pump failure or sewer backup coverage could be an add-on to your policy, helping mitigate common types of water damage.
If you have a flood insurance policy, check if you have contents and sewer backup coverage. For more information, please visit Floodsmart.gov
Have a home improvement project planned? Remember: You might need a permit!
The City provides a Customer Self-Service (CSS) online application portal for residents, contractors, and business owners to apply for a permit or license, pay an invoice, review info guides summarizing requirements for different project types, or search for permits associated with an address or parcel.
Visit desplainesil.gov/permits for more information regarding what projects need permits and how to get started online.
