Contributed photo | dupagepolicyjournal.com
Contributed photo | dupagepolicyjournal.com
DuPage Policy Journal recently issued the following announcement.
This morning, two radiant 8 x 10 foot murals by Chicago-based artist, Tony Fitzpatrick, were unveiled in the heart of Glen Ellyn at 427 N. Main Street. The murals are displayed near the new pedway, completed this past spring, which connects pedestrians to downtown businesses, parking and the Metra station.
The murals depict birds native to the area: a woodpecker and a cardinal. Composed of acrylic paint on aluminum board, the visually collaged background features imagery distinctive to pop culture influences in Fitzpatrick's work. In creating the murals, Fitzpatrick was assisted by his studio partner and protégé, Danny Torres, and Sam Decarlo who, like Fitzpatrick, is a former College of DuPage student.
“I was honored to be have the opportunity to create this work for Glen Ellyn,” says Fitzpatrick. “It’s one of my core beliefs that art is best made via cultural and community efforts and this project is a perfect opportunity to show that in action.”
The Fitzpatrick murals are part of the DuPage Public Arts Project. The College of DuPage (COD), through the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), created the DuPage Public Arts Project in October 2020, with the goal of initiating public art events and art installations throughout their 38 partner communities. The partnership with Glen Ellyn is the inaugural kick-off to the Project, where COD will work with the Village for a two-year period to establish a public arts committee. The Project, currently funded by the Village of Glen Ellyn and College of DuPage, is tasked with the creation of two public art installations and one community arts engagement effort.
The mural was sponsored by College of DuPage, the Village of Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Fund. The Glen Ellyn Fund awarded a grant, applied for by the Village's Environmental Commission, to support public art in Glen Ellyn.
“Public art is more than just pictures on the side of a building. Public art is a catalyst for economic development and has the power to draw people to our community,” observed Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak. “I want to thank our friends at College of DuPage for raising awareness of the virtues of public art and look forward to working with them on making public art part of the Glen Ellyn brand.”
Village Board to Discuss and Vote on Recreational Cannabis at September 13 Meeting
In June 2021, the Board voted to extend the moratorium ordinance on accepting or approving applications for recreational cannabis dispensaries in Glen Ellyn until September 28, 2021. The moratorium ordinance maintains the status quo by prohibiting recreational cannabis businesses in Glen Ellyn.
With the moratorium ordinance nearing its expiration, the Village Board is scheduled to discuss and vote on whether or not recreational cannabis businesses should be permitted in the Village at the next Village Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the Village's Civic Center, 535 Duane Street, with the agenda posted to the Village's website by Friday, September 10. Additional opportunities for public engagement include:
- Public Comment: If you are unable to attend the Village Board Meeting, you are welcome to submit a public comment. Please complete the public comment form, located on the Village’s website. All public comments submitted, prior to and throughout the meeting, will be read into the official record.
- Live Stream: To view a live stream of the Village Board meeting, please visit the Village's website. A live meeting notification will appear next to the meeting date once the live stream has started.
- Cable Channel Broadcast: The Village Board meeting will be broadcast to WideOpenWest Channel 6, AT&T Channel 99 and Comcast Cable Services Channel 10.
For more information on this topic, including background information and frequently asked questions, please visit the Village of Glen Ellyn's website.
Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week 2021: September 20-26
The Chamber will again be organizing a Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week Monday, September 20 thru Sunday, the 26, to showcase the many restaurants throughout the Village. From fast casual to fancy dining, each venue may provide either a prix-fixe menu with a posted rate, special promotions and/or classic signature items which makes each restaurant unique.
“The mission for the Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week is to highlight the wide array of dining options and to support our beloved restaurants. We are encouraging our restaurants to be creative and show off their culinary skills”, said Dawn Smith, Executive Director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce. “This is the ideal time for guests to experience our diverse and vibrant dining scene, as well as, it is the perfect opportunity to find all that Glen Ellyn has to offer.”
Glen Ellyn Restaurant week is open to all Glen Ellyn Chamber Restaurants. There is no additional cost to participate. Restaurants simply simply fill out the form to participate. The Chamber will advertise your promotions through their website, e-blasts and social media. Please fill out the form or email jaclyn@glenellynchamber.com.
Main Street Now Open to 2-Way Traffic
Main Street, between Duane Street and Hillside Avenue, has reopened to two-way vehicular traffic, as of Tuesday, September 7, 2021. The fencing and barricades on the west side of Main Street were moved back four feet, to accommodate the opening of southbound traffic.
Main Street Parking Garage
As a reminder, customers visiting downtown may utilize the 3-hour customer parking now available within the Main Street Parking Garage on the first floor of the Apex 400 Development. The new covered garage is currently accessible for vehicles via Glenwood Avenue. Patrons can then access Main Street businesses via a covered walkway.
Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate Effective August 30
On August 15, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois residents over the age of two will be required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, effective Monday, August 30. The requirement is applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents statewide.
The Governor also announced a new mandate requiring teachers, healthcare workers, and higher education students to either receive the coronavirus vaccine, or to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing through an enhanced protocols program.
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