FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Recreational fires are allowed as long as the fire is attended and extinguished when done. There can be fines for unattended fires.
If done by the home owner, arrangements need to be made by calling the Public Works Director at 815-432-2930 during their operations hours 7:00 to 4:00 Monday – Friday. If taking a tree during the weekend prior approval during the work week is required.
If done by a local landscaper/tree removal professional, they must have bought the annual city permit/license for the current year. You can call 815-432-2711 or 815-432-2930 during business hours to verify.
If done by a non-local landscaper/tree removal professional, they must either haul the tree out of the city by their own means or they can call Public Works at 815-432-2930 during business hours for a one-time dumping charge. If taking a tree during the weekend prior approval during the work week is required.
Non approved dumping at the yard waste facilities can lead to fines up to $ 1,000.
Have you received a water bill that seems unusually high? Your water bill could be higher than normal for a number of reasons. Here are some ways you can troubleshoot to see why your bill is high:
- You are billed in 1,000 gallon increments. Does the consumption seem normal compared to the previous billing period or the same billing period last year?
- Has the amount of water you’ve been using changed? Have you had houseguests for an extended period of time? On average, a person uses 40-80 gallons of water per day.
- During the summer months, watering your lawn more frequently is the most common reason a bill can be high. Running your sprinkler for just one hour can use 400 gallons of water. If you use a hose to water, did you forget to go back out and turn it off?
- There could be a leaking faucet or a running toilet in your home. Check for a possible leak by turning off everything in the house and then going out and looking at the water meter. It should not be moving at all. If it is moving, you have a leak somewhere in your house
Occasionally, we have citizens get upset with the cost on their water bills. Attached is information that can lead to higher charges on your water bills. Did you know the following fixtures if leaking can on average can increase your daily usage in the following ways.
How Much Water is Lost?
Small household leaks left unrepaired can lead to big trouble over time.
| Leak Source | Typical Leakage | Gallons/Day Used | Gallons/Month Used | Units/Month Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running Toilet | 1 gallon/hour | 26 | 780 | 1 |
| Leaking Faucet | 1 drip/second | 9 | 259 | 0.3 |
| Leaking Showerhead | 10 drips/minute | 1.4 | 43 | 0.04 |
| In-ground Irrigation | 1/32" in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) | 210 | 6,300 | 8 |
| A garden hose left running or a missing sprinkler head | 1/2" in diameter | 4,320 | 129,600 | 173 |
Please check your fixtures regularly and if you suspect a leak and aren’t quite sure we advise you to call a licensed plumber.
Home owners must call or stop by City Hall from 7:30 to 4:30 Monday – Friday to pick up an application, make payment for a permit, and make arrangements with the building inspector to discuss your plans and schedule inspections if needed. If this is going to be a weekend project prior approval must be obtained. Not acquiring a permit can lead to fines up to $500.00.
Interested parties need to phone the non-emergency police department phone number at 815-432-2433 from 8:00 to 4:00 Monday – Friday to request the permission form 1 week in advance of the event.
Interested parties need to phone the non-emergency police department phone number at 815-432-2433 from 8:00 to 4:00 Monday – Friday to request the permission form 1 week in advance of the event.
You call City Hall at 815-432-2711 during business hours 8:00 to 4:30 Monday – Friday to reserve a pavilion.
Find meeting documents here!