Berwyn First Ward Updates - Alderman Micah Caldwell

Berwyn First Ward Updates - Alderman Micah Caldwell Welcome to the official government page for Berwyn’s First Ward Updates.

I’m Alderman Micah Caldwell, here to keep you connected with news, resources, and ways to get involved.

What do a new Roosevelt Road art plaza, a library boiler, and a citywide bike/pedestrian plan have in common? They’re al...
06/22/2026

What do a new Roosevelt Road art plaza, a library boiler, and a citywide bike/pedestrian plan have in common? They’re all on Tuesday night’s City Council agenda!

I put together a plain-language version of the agenda so you can see what’s actually being discussed and voted on without having to dig through a 200-page packet. Here's a few things in there that might interest you:

The City may approve up to $316,000 in Roosevelt Road TIF funds to help finish the public art plaza at 6209 Roosevelt Rd, turning a long-vacant property into a public gathering space with seating, art, lighting, a stage, and restrooms.

The Library is asking to waive bidding and move ahead with a full boiler replacement before winter. It's an important item because the Library is also a warming center, and a boiler failure could mean a major disruption for residents.

Berwyn was awarded technical assistance from CMAP to create a citywide bicycle and pedestrian plan. That's huge because the 2011 Active Transportation Plan sorely needs an update and this kind of plan could help shape a safer city and allow us to apply for funding for those kinds of projects.

There are also new firefighter/paramedic swear-ins, energy supply contracts, and a whole lot more. You can read the whole plain-language agenda by clicking the link in the comments below!

Here we go again. I know this is unwelcome news, but Berwyn is under a Flood Watch today, with the heaviest weather expe...
06/17/2026

Here we go again. I know this is unwelcome news, but Berwyn is under a Flood Watch today, with the heaviest weather expected this afternoon and evening.

Rain and storms are expected to move into the area this morning, with the worst window looking like roughly 2pm to 9pm. The strongest storms may stay south of us, but that doesn't mean we're in the clear. The biggest concern for us is heavy rain falling in a short period of time. With the ground already saturated from last week’s storms, that can lead to street flooding and basement backups.

Before the heavier rain arrives, it's worth taking a few simple precautions. Check your basement if your home is prone to water issues, make sure your sump pump is working, make sure your check valve is clear, put in your floor drain plugs if you have them, and move anything valuable off the floor if needed.

Strong winds and tornadoes are also still possible, so secure anything outside that could blow around, including garbage cans, patio furniture, umbrellas, and decorations. Since we had power outages with the last round of storms, it would also be smart to charge your phone and make sure you can receive weather alerts throughout the day.

For non-emergency storm-related issues, you can call the Berwyn Police non-emergency number at 708-795-5600. For immediate danger, call 911.

I don't want to be alarmist and I'm hoping this ends up being no big deal. But it's better to be prepared than caught off guard.

Please keep an eye on the weather today and stay safe.

We have another big storm system moving into our area this afternoon. This one could be even more intense than yesterday...
06/11/2026

We have another big storm system moving into our area this afternoon. This one could be even more intense than yesterday. There is potential for some severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, tornadoes, and flooding downpours.

To prepare, secure loose outdoor items, move cars away from trees if possible, charge your phone, and make sure you have flashlights ready. Also, please reduce your water usage as much as possible starting now. And if your basement is prone to water, move valuables and electronics off the floor and clear nearby drains or gutters if you can do so safely. During the storm, stay indoors and away from windows, and don't drive through flooded streets or underpasses.

Stay safe and keep an eye on weather reports!

If you had branches come down from parkway trees during last night’s storm, you can pile them on the parkway. Public Wor...
06/11/2026

If you had branches come down from parkway trees during last night’s storm, you can pile them on the parkway. Public Works will be going through the neighborhood over the next few days to collect them.

If a branch is too large to move and is blocking a sidewalk or an entry/exit to your home, please call the non-emergency number at 708-795-5600 to report it.

Please be patient as crews work through everything. This storm hit hard, and the city has been responding to a lot of calls. Thank you to everyone who has already reported issues and to our crews for being out there!

Did your power go out? You can text "OUT" to 26633 (COMED) to report it and to get ongoing updates as the status of your...
06/10/2026

Did your power go out? You can text "OUT" to 26633 (COMED) to report it and to get ongoing updates as the status of your outage changes.

Good morning everyone! Public Works is responding to a water main break affecting the area around the 3500 blocks of Map...
06/09/2026

Good morning everyone! Public Works is responding to a water main break affecting the area around the 3500 blocks of Maple and Wisconsin. I’ll share updates as I receive them. Hopefully this will be resolved quickly. Thank you for your patience!

Property taxes, bike and scooter rules, proclamations, and a whole lot more are all on this week’s City Council agenda.B...
06/08/2026

Property taxes, bike and scooter rules, proclamations, and a whole lot more are all on this week’s City Council agenda.

Before the regular meeting, Council will hear from Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas and Berwyn Township Assessor Jacqueline Pereda about property assessments. If your reassessment notice left you confused, frustrated, or wondering what you can actually do next, this is the part of the meeting many of you will want to pay attention to.

The Council agenda also includes recognition of LGBTQI+ Pride Month and Juneteenth, approval of the Corrida del Mariachi 5K, an early step toward updating Berwyn’s outdated bicycle and micromobility rules, pool committee minutes, ambulance fee updates, lead service line replacement payments, Ogden Avenue water and sewer work, and a long list of summer block parties.

As always, I put together a plain-language agenda so you can know what's being discussed or voted on. Click the link in the comments below to read the whole thing!

Cruise Nites are back! Berwyn Cruise Nites kick off tonight in the Depot District, and they’ll continue to happen every ...
06/01/2026

Cruise Nites are back!

Berwyn Cruise Nites kick off tonight in the Depot District, and they’ll continue to happen every first and third Monday, from 6-9pm through August.

So if you like classic cars and custom builds, local restaurants, and plenty of neighborhood summer energy, come check it out. The event takes place on Windsor Avenue between Home Avenue and Oak Park Avenue. It’s free, family-friendly, and a great excuse to spend a Monday night in the Depot. Hope to see you there!

Want to help keep stormwater out of you and your neighbor's basements? One of the simplest things homeowners can do is d...
05/28/2026

Want to help keep stormwater out of you and your neighbor's basements? One of the simplest things homeowners can do is disconnect their downspouts from the sewer.

When heavy rain hits, water from our roofs can pour straight into the sewer system if your gutter directly connects. One house may not sound like much, but across a whole block, that water adds up fast. That can mean sewer backups, flooded basements, and more stress on our already overloaded infrastructure.

The good news is that Berwyn has a Residential Downspout Disconnection Assistance Program that can help homeowners with the cost! All you have to do is apply for the program, the Engineering Department will determine if you qualify, and then once you're approved. you can reroute your gutters and you'll get reimbursed for it!

For a basic downspout disconnection, the City may reimburse up to $25 per disconnected downspout, whether you are using elbows, splash pads, extensions, or a rain barrel with a connection kit. If your home needs a more complicated gutter rerouting, the reimbursement can be up to $300 per household. Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled may also qualify for up to $100 in labor reimbursement for a simple disconnection, as long as it is approved ahead of time.

I’ll put the City’s program guidelines, application form, and contact information in the comments below. This isn't the only solution to flooding, but it's relatively simple and can make a real difference.

I’m posting this WAY later than I’d like because of the holiday weekend, but here is the latest plain-language agenda fo...
05/26/2026

I’m posting this WAY later than I’d like because of the holiday weekend, but here is the latest plain-language agenda for tonight's City Council meeting.

On the docket is a proposed agreement to provide a social worker to the Police Department for mental health and crisis support, some lead service line replacement payments, upgrades to how residents may pay utility bills online, and a whole lot more.

Feel free to take a look to quickly know what’s being discussed and how it could affect you. Meeting is tonight at 8pm! You can find the link to the plain-language agenda in the comments below!

Address

6700 W 26th Street
Berwyn, IL
60402

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