City of Carbondale Government

09/15/2026

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, Carbondale!!

Sharing this post from SI CABE:Southern Illinois Culture and Arts in Bilingual Education that educates about several Spanish speaking countries independence days, celebrated today, September 15!

Follow SI CABE for more fun educational and cultural programming offerings in the area!

Did you know? That on this day in 1821, 5 countries declared their independence from Spain? As the United States of America just celebrated its 250th anniversary * (independence from England) *, SICABE's team reflected on the Spanish speaking countries almost as old as this Republic. Remember that when we learn together we grow together!

09/14/2026

"Talk of the Town" will be back on the WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois 91.1fm airwaves this AM!!

Eva Fisher will be speaking with members of the Leadership Carbondale 2026 cohort, Logan Brown & Tricia Edwards, about the groups newest initiative- a fundraising campaign called, "Give Local. Love Local."

Tune in from 10-10:30 AM to hear more!

09/12/2026

Still plenty of summer fun to be soaked up in Carbondale!! 🥳🌞🕶️

Hop on down to The Island, Carbondale, Illinois from 4:00- 10:00 PM TODAY (9/12) for a wide array of art, live music, local vendors and all kinds of Cdale goodness!

You're Invited to the Island Block Party! 🎉🌴

Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of community, connection and tropical vibes at our Island Block Party!

🗓 Saturday, September 12
🕓 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 715 S. University Ave., Carbondale

Bring your friends and family and enjoy an evening filled with:
🌺 Local vendors
🎶 Live music
🌮 Delicious food trucks
🎯 Games & activities
🛍️ Shopping
✨ And so much more!

Whether you're part of the True Nature family or joining us for the first time, everyone is welcome! Come support local businesses, meet new people and celebrate our amazing community together!

We can't wait to see you there! 🌞🌴

09/11/2026

A message from the City of Carbondale Fire Department on this day of remembrance.

Never Forget: Honoring the 343

Twenty-five years ago, 343 members of the FDNY ran toward danger while everyone else ran away. They climbed stairwells that would never lead them back down, carrying the weight of their gear and the full measure of their courage, so that others might live. That morning, in a single hour, the fire service lost more members than most departments will lose in a century.

But the story of September 11th didn't end that day.

In the years since, thousands of first responders who breathed the toxic dust of Ground Zero during the recovery effort have been diagnosed with cancers, respiratory disease, and other illnesses tied directly to their service. The FDNY has confirmed that more than 340 of its members have died from 9/11-related illnesses — a number that, as of a few years ago, matched the toll of that single morning, and has only continued to climb since. An estimated 11,000 current and former FDNY members live with a certified World Trade Center-related illness today, roughly 3,500 of them battling cancer. Nationwide, nearly 80,000 people carry physical or mental health conditions connected to that day. The fire service didn't just lose 343 heroes on September 11th — it has been losing them, quietly, every year since.

What we remember just as much is what happened in the days after. Firefighters from departments across this country — including many who never met a single person lost that day — loaded up trucks and drove to New York to help however they could. Our own Carbondale Fire Department was among them. Over several trips in the aftermath of the attacks, members of the CFD traveled to New York, including to stand alongside the FDNY at funerals for firefighters who never came home. Neighbors who had never spoken before stood together at candlelight vigils. Blood banks ran out of supplies because so many people showed up to give. For a little while, we set down our differences and simply looked out for one another.

That spirit is worth remembering, not just on this anniversary, but every day. It's the same spirit that lives in every firehouse — the instinct to show up for each other, no matter the cost. Here at the Carbondale Fire Department, we carry that with us. We remember the 343. We remember the thousands who've died since. And we remember our own members who stood with the FDNY when it mattered most.

🕯️ Never forget.

Sources: FDNY / NPR, "FDNY deaths from 9/11-related illnesses now equal the number killed on Sept. 11" (Sept. 2023); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WTC Health Program data.

09/10/2026

We love this new resource from the The Infinity Project! So grateful to have a pet food pantry stationed at the City of Carbondale Police Department for those who need it. 🐾❤️

09/10/2026

Join the Southern Illinois String Quartet tomorrow evening at OBF for an inspired performance of some classical pieces!

📍SIUC Old Baptist Foundation Hall - 980 Faner Drive
⏰ Friday, September 11, 7:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets at the door, $15/5, FREE for SIU School of Music Students & Faculty

Southern Illinois String Quartet
Friday, September 11, 2026
OBF Recital Hall

09/08/2026

A new fav Carbondale tradition right around the corner!! 🥳 Always a hoot to team up with SIU Fermentation Science Institute for this one!!

🌱🍺🍄 5TH ANNUAL H**P, HOPS & SHROOMS FESTIVAL // SEPTEMBER 19 🌱🍺🍄

Get ready to elevate your education, connect with your community, and get down and groovy as the 5th Annual H**p, Hops & Shrooms Festival returns to downtown Carbondale, Saturday, September 19, from 3–9 PM at the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage at New Era Events Plaza! 🥳

This free, all-ages festival packs cannabis science, Southern Illinois mushrooms, h**p, fermentation, food, vendors and hands-on demonstrations into one afternoon before MoonShroom and Hot Like Mars take the stage for three hours of free live music!

PRESENTATIONS | 3–6 PM
📗3 PM | Cannabis Without the Hype // Dr. Aldwin Anterola, Southern Illinois University
🌳4 PM | From Forest to Table: Exploring Southern Illinois Mushrooms // Jessica Mollison & Jamie Collier
🔍5 PM | Optimizing Environmental Controls for Indoor Cannabis Cultivation // Dr. Jose Leme, Southern Illinois University

DEMONSTRATIONS | 3–6 PM
🌱 H**p for Fiber & Food with Karla Gage and Hunter Buffington
🍄 Cooking with Mushrooms & Mushroom Extracts with Jessica Mollison
🌿 Cannabis Cultivation with Dr. Jose Leme
🍺 Hops, a sensory experience with Lucas Rose and the SIU FSI 👅 Are You a Supertaster? Test your senses with Marta Albiol Tapia and the SIU FSI
👃 Explore how smell affects the way we taste food with Marta Albiol Tapia and the SIU FSI

🎶FREE LIVE MUSIC | 6–9 PM
6 PM | MoonShroom MoonShroom
7:30 PM | Hot Like Mars Hot Like Mars

Details at a glance 👀:
📅 Saturday, September 19 | 3–9 PM
📍 New Era Events Plaza // 200 S. Washington Street, Carbondale, IL
🎟️ FREE + ALL AGES
🎤 Presentations & Demonstrations | 3–6 PM
🎶 MoonShroom | 6 PM
🔥 Hot Like Mars | 7:30 PM

Sponsors: City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street, Southern Illinois University Cannabis Science Center, SIU Fermentation Science Institute, Buckwater Brew Works, F-W-S COUNTERTOPS, Elevate Cannabis, The Thrift Shop CWU, Carbondale Park District, Keep Carbondale Beautiful

09/08/2026

Carbondale has a legacy of creatives….be a part of the discussion of how to pave the way for success for future artists in our community!

09/04/2026

🥳Carbondale is thrilled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic underground venues, Lost Cross, this evening (Friday September 4th) at Carbondale's newest iconic outdoor venue, the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage at the New Era Events Plaza!

🖤Join us in the heart of downtown tonight from 6-9 PM for live music, local vendors, awesome food and non-stop fun!

09/03/2026

🗣️City offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day, and reopen on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

During this time, walk-in customer service at City offices will not be available. However, residents are reminded that emergency services will continue to operate without interruption.

Utility bill payments can be conveniently made during the closure through the following methods:

💻Online Payment: Residents can pay utility bills at the City's official website. Online services provide a secure and convenient option for bill payment.

📮Dropbox: A secure dropbox is available at City Hall for residents to drop off their payments anytime, day or night.

😃In Person: Upon reopening on September 8, 2026, residents can make utility bill payments in person during regular business hours.

Additionally, please be aware of the refuse and recycling holiday schedule, available on the City's website. Residents need to stay informed about any changes in the schedule to ensure proper disposal and recycling practices.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City of Carbondale at 618-549-5302.