Downers Grove’s new Civic Center
and the legacy of Mayor Betty Cheever

By Catherine Dobrez

Photos Courtesy of the Village of Downers Grove

The Betty Cheever Council Chambers

Home of the Village Hall, Police Department, and District 58 Administration, the newly constructed Civic Center lies at the heart of Downers Grove (850 Curtiss St.). This 80,000-square-foot building operates Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to ensure the Village and its citizens stay informed, involved, and safe.

Construction of the Civic Center began in September 2022. Taking around two years for construction, the Center opened its doors on July 22, 2024.

“The new Civic Center is a valuable community asset
that stands ready to serve Downers Grove for generations to come.”
– Doug Kozlowski, Communications Director for the Village of Downers Grove

The building’s exterior includes public plazas, pedestrian walkways, and onsite parking. According to Doug Kozlowski, Communications Director for the Village of Downers Grove, the Civic Center “comes across as both modern and as if it has been in Downtown Downers Grove for decades.” Through this look, the Center showcases the Village’s Architectural Design Guidelines.

Downers Grove’s commitment to environmentally sustainable living is also reflected in the building’s infrastructure. Kozlowski said, “The project highlights the many ways governmental organizations in Downers Grove work together as stewards of community resources and the environment.”

The building is around 20 percent more efficient than the average in water use reduction and 30 percent more efficient in energy performance. With native plantings, photovoltaic panels, and permeable pavers, the Civic Center is a prime example of a climate-smart and resource-efficient structure.

Members of the Cheever family accept a gift recognizing the naming of the Betty Cheever Council Chambers in February.

Another aspect of the Civic Center’s efficiency is its ability to house three separate operations under one roof. The District 58 offices and Village Hall are situated in the main part of the building, with a separate entrance for the Police Department. While the Civic Center is designed for the three inhabiting entities to remain separate as necessary, the building includes both private office spaces and shared formal and informal areas for staff to collaborate.

In addition to being efficient in various ways, the Civic Center is also cost-effective. Bonds were issued to pay for the building’s construction, and part of the redevelopment of the area just east of the Center is a 138-unit apartment building, which is projected to generate funds to pay down the bonds. “The overall financial plan for the Civic Center calls for no increase in property taxes,” Kozlowski explained.

Though the project was not taxpayer-funded, the public is welcome at the new Civic Center. Attending a Village Hall meeting is one way for citizens to not only see the building but also learn about and give input on various community issues.

The Downers Grove Civic Center serves the community in a variety of ways and is a place where the community can come together to help shape the town. With the Council Chambers in the Civic Center named after Downers Grove’s first female mayor, Betty Cheever, and the building’s main entrance located just off the Israel Blackburn Civil Rights Plaza, named for a freedman and Civil War Veteran who was one of the Village’s earliest settlers, the Center encapsulates a modern design while honoring the Village’s rich history. Said best by Kozlowski, “The new Civic Center is a valuable community asset that stands ready to serve Downers Grove for generations to come. Please stop by for a visit if you have not had the opportunity to see it.”

A Tribute to Former Mayor Betty Cheever

Betty Cheever

Betty Cheever, a trailblazer in Downers Grove, was the first woman to serve as Village Commissioner and Mayor of Downers Grove and only female mayor in the Village’s history. Initially elected as mayor in 1983, Cheever went on to serve three more consecutive terms, for a total of 16 years in office.

She lived to be 92 years old, dedicating a great deal of time and work to the Village. She was a part of and led many organizations, including serving on the Plan Commission and DuPage Water Commission and being president of both the Mayor and Managers of DuPage and the Downers Grove-Woodridge League of Women Voters. Doug Kozlowski, Communications Director of the Village of Downers Grove, described Cheever as “a tireless voting rights advocate.” Even through her years of retirement, she continued to register voters.

Cheever died in 2021, but her passion for and dedication to Downers Grove will not be forgotten, as she is honored in the new Civic Center, with the Council Chambers named after her. With Cheever’s “appreciation for the value and importance of resident engagement honed by a commitment to civic life,” Kozlowski said, the Council Chambers being named in her honor is a fitting and noteworthy way to celebrate her legacy.