The best present you can give the City of Geneva's Public Works Department this winter is moving your parked cars off the street during snow events.

In addition to the snow amounts listed on the graphic, the City also can restrict parking based on the forecast from the National Weather Service or other weather agencies for snow, sleet or freezing rain. If weather conditions are predicted to be hazardous to motorists, a parking ban may be put into effect to promote public safety and welfare on the roadways. Access to snow routes and residential streets is important in providing emergency services to the community.

With cooperation from residents and visitors, Public Works crews will be able to maximize the effectiveness of their snow removal operations. Cars left on the street during a parking ban risk being ticketed or towed.

When road conditions become hazardous, “Snow Routes” are cleared of snow and ice first before crews transition to residential neighborhoods. Parking is not permitted on residential streets at any time within 12 hours following a snowfall of 3 inches or more or until a street has been plowed to the curb. During a major snowstorm, residential streets will receive one pass in each direction to provide access for motorists and emergency vehicles. After the snowfall has ended, all streets will be plowed curb-to-curb.

Geneva continues to garner positive recognition as one Illinois' best communities from World Atlas, a large publishing resource in geography covering sociology, demography, environment, economics and travel.

Honor: Top Historic District

QUOTABLE: "The town of Geneva is a western suburb of Chicago but feels a world away due to its charming downtown and impressive historic district, which consists of 102 buildings and structures," World Atlas stated. "The district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and beckons visitors throughout the year. Downtown Geneva is known for its (Third) Street, which is lined with historic Victorian structures that house a varied collection of shops and eateries."

Honor: Best Small Town For Retirees

QUOTABLE: The article highlighted Geneva's beautiful natural areas from the Fox River to Peck Farm. Residents can take a trip back in time by visiting the City's historic district and Geneva History Museum; enjoying Geneva's vibrant dining scene; or finding entertainment options at the Fox Valley Ice Arena and Northwestern Medicine Field. "Geneva is a good choice if you fancy a small, beautiful community and suburban feel, signaling a historic downtown and homely attractions."

Third Main Line construction will continue throughout the Union Pacific-West railway corridor in the coming months as long as the weather remains favorable.

People can subscribe to receive future Pardon The Progress blog updates via “Notify Me” on the City website. For more project information, visit the Third Main Line construction web page.

While the City of Geneva is providing information to the community, the City has no authority or control over the Union Pacific project. The details shared by the City are only as good as the information provided to us by Union Pacific.

Thank you to all the residents, students, schools, and artists who made the 2023 student art contest tree calendar possible.

The Student Government Committee received many excellent submissions from students representing every grade level and school within the community. The response and interest in this unique program exceeded all expectations.

The Student Government Committee hopes to offer this program again in 2024. If you are interested in updates or having your classroom participate as a group, please email Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready.

Congratulations to the 14 students whose artwork was selected for the 2023-24 Student Art Tree Calendar.

Please note that limited supplies of the calendar were available.

ComEd will be trimming trees in Geneva this winter.

Trimming operations are scheduled to occur from January to March in the following areas:

• Kirk Road; and
• Along the Union Pacific-West railway corridor.

While the City of Geneva owns and operates its own electric utility, ComEd runs power lines through the community to our substations as well as neighboring municipalities. The company states its vegetation management program helps ensure electrical reliability since tree branch contact with power lines is a leading cause of outages.

ComEd will notify affected residents about tree trimming taking place in their neighborhood.

In September, the City’s International Cultural Exchange Committee (ICEC) sent its eighth delegation of Geneva representatives to our partner city, Croissy-sur-Seine, France.

French officials welcomed ICEC members at the Mairie (Croissy Town Hall). On behalf of the City of Geneva, Mayor Kevin Burns sent a note of appreciation read in French and English. Geneva's longstanding relationship is a true achievement with a commitment on both sides to international understanding and cultural exchange.

The ICEC celebrated our long-term friendships with festive events with our Croissy sans Frontières (CSF) hosts in their homes and at local restaurants like Café des Impressionistes and Le Coq in Bougival. The group toured Maison Fournaise (where Renoir painted Luncheon of The Boating Party) and its new museum, and motored down the Seine in a wooden bateau crafted by local volunteers who rebuild vintage wooden boats from the 19th century.

Other highlights included tours of the Grand and Pétit Trianon (on the grounds of Versailles, built by Louis XIV), and Malmaison (château belonging to Josephine and Napoleon I). Most importantly, the ICEC was treated to a short film detailing the history of the Geneva-Croissy partnership since 2006.

The ICEC is grateful to the City of Geneva and our Croissy friends for making the delegation visit so enjoyable at every turn.

The Illinois Water Environment Association honored Geneva's Water & Wastewater Superintendent Bob VanGyseghem with the group's 2023 Golden Manhole Award.

This award acknowledges an individual who has made significant contributions to promoting individual professionalism and pride among those working in the design, management, construction, operations and maintenance of water collection systems. The honor also recognizes contributions to the success of the Illinois Water Environment Association and its goals, and effort over an extensive period of time which has positively contributed to the betterment of individuals associated with collection systems.

Serving as Geneva's water superintendent for the past 17 years, VanGyseghem has overseen an $11 million design and construction project at the City's wastewater treatment plant to comply with new phosphorous standards and a $24 million reverse osmosis project at the water plant. He also managed a 10-year effort to convert all water/electric meters to digitally communicate with our network.

Currently, VanGyseghem is overseeing the design of a new sanitary sewer to run across the Fox River.