The City of Edwardsville and its professional staff work every day to serve

the community and improve quality of life. The City's E-Newsletter was

created to share news, information and more for our residents,

businesses, property owners and all stakeholders.

Please also see below to sign up for the City Business E-Newsletter, news from the Wildey Theatre and the Parks and Recreation Department!

Shown, from left: Chief James Whiteford, Assistant Chief Bob Morgan and Mayor Art Risavy

Shown, from left: Chief James Whiteford, Capt. Ed Burnley and Mayor Art Risavy

Shown, from left: Chief James Whiteford, Lt. Tanner Sweetman and Mayor Art Risavy

Three City Firefighters Are Promoted

Three veteran Edwardsville Fire Department members were promoted during the Tuesday, October 17, City Council meeting. The promotions were for: Assistant Fire Chief Bob Morgan (formerly a captain), Capt. Ed Burnley (formerly a lieutenant), and Lt. Tanner Sweetman. The promotions came on the heels of the creation of an assistant chief position to officially designate a fire marshal within the department. Assistant Chief Morgan joins Chief James Whiteford and Deputy Chief Brendan McKee in overall management for the Fire Department. You can read more about these valued department members and the duties that will be covered by the assistant chief here.

Appointments Still Available for Blood Drive on November 3

The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments are hosting another Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in November. This one will take place from 12:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 3, in the Public Safety Building Training Room. The American Red Cross recently reported it is experiencing a critical nationwide blood supply shortage and is urging anyone eligible to donate blood.

Appointments are not required but are recommended. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting: www.redcrossblood.org and entering "Edwardsville BB" where prompted.

The Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between the two public safety departments; donors can indicate which department they are supporting.

Shown, from left: Chief Michael Fillback, Duane Jones, Maj. Mike Lybarger and Lt. Charlie Kohlberg.

Donation Given to Police Department

The Edwardsville Police Department thanked Duane Jones of Country Financial, who presented the department with $1,500 in Operation Helping Heroes funds on Tuesday, October 24. The funds will be used for first aid, safety and other needed items. Jones also treated every shift to barbecue and side dishes from Doc's Smokehouse.



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Halloween Activities

Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade Promises a Scary Good Time Downtown

The City is happy to once again welcome crowds of people in and around downtown for some of the sweetest fun all year: the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade. This monster-size annual celebration dates back more than a century and for 2023 will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 31.

More than 100 floats and other participants are expected for this family-friendly event, which will follow its traditional route. It’s scheduled to turn north from the Lincoln Middle School parking lot at the intersection of Schwarz and West Streets and head east on St. Louis Street to Vandalia Street. The parade then will veer to the north on Main Street, and disband past the Wildey Theatre at High Street.

The affected roads will close to traffic about 6 p.m. the day of the parade, according to the Edwardsville Police Department. There will be no parking along the route beginning at 4:30 p.m., and any remaining vehicles will be subject to towing. Signs will be posted to remind drivers of the parking and traffic restrictions.

Detours also will be posted ahead of the closures.

The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce includes a map of the parade route, suggested parking areas, sites where bathrooms will be available and other useful information on its website: www.edglenchamber.com

For additional details, including where to livestream the parade if you cannot attend, visit here.

Additional City holiday events are planned in the days leading up to Halloween. See below for details.

Are you interested in learning about all of the fun activities taking place that are sponsored by the City or taking place at a City park? Check out the calendar on the City website. It includes City meetings, holiday closures and many area activities, including Arts in the Park concerts, movies, festivals and more.

Some upcoming events (see above for Halloween activities) include:

• Thursday, November 2: Wine and Whiskey for the Watershed is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Nature Preserve Foundation to support programming at the Watershed Nature Center. For details and tickets, visit here.
• Friday, November 10: Veterans Day observed; City offices will be closed.
• Saturday, November 11: The annual Veterans Day Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 199, will take place on the streets of downtown Edwardsville on Veterans Day.
• Thursday, November 23: Thanksgiving observed; City offices will be closed.
• Friday, November 24: City offices are also closed on this day for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Saturday, December 2: The Winter Market Festival will take place from 1-6 p.m. in City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street. The event will feature an array of vendors, entertainment, food and children's crafts, plus a visit from Santa Claus and the annual Edwardsville Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Businesses, Vendors Sought for Winter Market Festival

The Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department is seeking vendors interested in participating in the Winter Market Festival on Saturday, December 2, in City Park. This event will feature area artisans, entertainment, food and children's crafts, plus Santa Claus and the City Tree Lighting Ceremony. For information, email gpellock@cityofedwardsville.com or call 618-692-7539.

City Boards and Committees

Students and faculty of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Students and faculty of Lewis and Clark Community College

'Continental Convo' Brings Colleges, City Together

The City's Campus to Community Committee on Friday, October 20, hosted a "Continental Convo" -- a mix of breakfast and conversation about the ways the City and area colleges can collaborate. Participants included students and faculty from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Lewis and Clark Community College, City officials and members of our Campus to Community Committee. Topics included transportation, diversity and inclusion, volunteer opportunities and much more. The "Continental Convo" was an updated version of the "Hashbrown Huddle" that has taken place previously. The Campus to Community Committee was created with a goal of building stronger ties between the City and colleges, and is made up of students, faculty and community members. Learn more about this committee and other City boards, committees and commissions here.

Volunteers Sought to Share Ideas, Lend a Hand

Our boards and committees have been set up to help the City accomplish priorities and provide input on a variety of topics. The Bike Bus and the recent Green Thumb Awards, to recognize creative gardening and landscaping efforts in Edwardsville, are great examples of committee activities. These boards and committees rely on residents who volunteer their time to participate in meetings and activities. They typically meet once a month.

Applications are considered by the mayor, who makes recommendations to the full City Council. Individuals are appointed on the basis of: openings on a board/committee/commission, date application is received, and qualifications for the appointment sought. Residents can learn more about the process, the existing boards and submit an application here.



In addition to the City Council, which is Edwardsville's governing body, there are many boards, committees and commissions that serve our community.

To view meeting dates, please visit this link.



Interested in serving on a committee or board? Visit this link.