If you’ve driven through downtown Glen Ellyn lately, you probably noticed the vibe is shifting. It isn’t just the usual winter chill making people move faster. There is a lot actually happening. Honestly, keeping up with Glen Ellyn Illinois news right now feels like trying to track a moving target, especially with the sheer volume of construction permits and tax code tweaks hitting the books this January.
Most folks focus on the big visible stuff, like the "Illuminated" concerts at First Congregational Church or the indoor sidewalk sales. But the real story? It’s buried in the village board minutes and infrastructure plans.
The Grocery Tax Flip You Might Have Missed
Starting January 1, 2026, your receipt at Jewel-Osco or Mariano’s looks a little different. Basically, the State of Illinois officially axed its 1% grocery tax. Sounds great, right? Well, Glen Ellyn (along with neighbors like Wheaton and Lombard) decided to implement its own 1% local grocery tax the exact same day.
The Village isn't just being greedy. Finance Director Patrick Brankin pointed out that the state tax used to bring in about $845,000 annually for the village’s general fund. Without it, public works and safety budgets would have taken a massive hit. So, while the state "cut" your taxes, the local level kept them the same to keep the lights on and the snow plows moving. It’s a wash for your wallet, but a huge deal for the municipal budget.
Construction Chaos at Glenbard West
If you have a student at Glenbard West, brace yourself for March 2026. That is when the heavy equipment rolls in.
We are talking about a massive $92 million chunk of the 2024 referendum money finally being put to work. Fencing and staging are set to take over the Ellyn Avenue side of the campus during spring break. They are building a new addition on an angle to preserve the "Hill" aesthetic, but the 2026-27 school year is going to be a loud one.
The goal is more than just shiny new walls. They are expanding classrooms to fit modern learning standards and, crucially, making the old building way more accessible for students with mobility needs.
📖 Related: Images from September 11: Why Some Photos Still Feel Too Intense to Look At
Why the New Wildlife Center is a Big Win
On the flip side of the "urban" development is the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center right here in our backyard. It just opened its doors to a brand-new visitor center this week. It is actually the first "net-zero" designed building in the entire county forest preserve system.
The coolest part? They have these massive "real-time" observation windows. You can literally stand there and watch specialists perform exams on injured hawks or feed orphaned squirrels. It’s not a zoo; it’s a hospital. And seeing that level of care happening in our zip code is a pretty grounding reminder of the community’s priorities.
Water Bills and Flood Insurance: The Boring (but Important) Stuff
Nobody likes talking about sewer rates. However, your January utility bill probably has a roughly 4% increase on it. The Village is following through on a multi-year rate study to make sure the pipes don't crumble.
But here is the silver lining: Glen Ellyn just hit CRS Class 6 status. Because the Village has been aggressive about floodplain management, FEMA is rewarding residents with a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums starting later this year. If you live in a flood-prone area near the East Branch DuPage River, that’s hundreds of dollars back in your pocket.
What’s Actually Coming Next?
The "State of the Village" address is happening tomorrow, January 15, hosted by the League of Women Voters. If you want the unfiltered version of where the Roosevelt Road redevelopment stands—specifically those Taft and Exmoor apartments—that is the place to be.
Actionable Steps for Residents:
- Check your water service line: The Village is still asking residents to report their pipe materials (lead vs. copper) to comply with EPA mandates. It takes five minutes on their website.
- Grab a Shopping Passport: If you’re heading downtown anyway, get a stamp for every $20 you spend at local shops this month. Five stamps gets you into a $500 cash drawing.
- Mark the calendar for January 19: The MLK Jr. Day of Service is a big deal here. The Park District is running food and blood drives at Ackerman SFC if you want to actually do something with your day off.
The village is changing. It’s getting more expensive in some ways (hello, water rates), but the investment in schools and green tech suggests Glen Ellyn is playing the long game.