Residents, Mercy Housing urge Wheaton to acknowledge state funds and advance Roosevelt Road crossing near Marian Park

Multiple residents and affiliated service providers urged the Wheaton City Council to recognize state funding and to work with DuPage United and IDOT to advance a protected crossing at Roosevelt Road near Marian Park.

Deborah Suggs told the Council that "the City didn’t acknowledge $250,000 in funding organized by DuPage United from the 2024 State of Illinois budget in the City’s September 2024 resolution" and asked the City to also recognize an additional "$750,000 being organized by Senator Seth Lewis through Senate Bill 2807." Nancy Moore said the project could begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027 with City approval of the intergovernmental agreement with IDOT to ensure a protected crosswalk and traffic signal for Marian Park residents. Todd Sipe, Area Director of Operations for Mercy Housing, called on Council members to visit Marian Park and see the hazards in person and urged approval and commitment to begin construction upon completion of IDOT phase two.

Mayor Philip J. Suess responded that the project is IDOT‑led and in Phase 2 (land acquisition), which "may take up to two years," and that "the installation of a traffic light is not possible until the right turn lane at Roosevelt and County Farm Road is completed." He noted the City is aware of the $250,000 referenced but that the funds had not yet been received by the City and that there have been no changes to the agreement with St. Francis regarding funding for the light.

The callers emphasized safety concerns, citing past pedestrian and traffic accidents and asking the City to coordinate with DuPage United, Mercy Housing, IDOT and Senator Lewis' office to close funding gaps and expedite construction when IDOT milestones are met.