Wheaton considers creating honorary street sign program

There could be an Honorary Lance Cpl. Nick Larson Way and Honorary Sgt. Robert Miller Way in Wheaton soon, should the city council approve the creation of a new honorary street sign program.

Mayor Michael Gresk said the idea to create a policy for honorary signs came about after representatives from the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans asked him how two streets could be named after the young men, both who died in combat in 2004 and 2008, respectively.

"That got us thinking about looking at something," said City Manager Mike Dzugan.

During a planning session this week, the city council expressed support for a honorary street sign program and asked staff to set criteria similar to what was found in the programs of neighboring communities. For example, the signs would only honor deceased residents who made significant historical, cultural or humanitarian contributions during their life, and the number of honorary signs installed in the city each year will be limited to two.

Other communities that Wheaton looked at to help craft a program included West Chicago, Schaumburg and McHenry. Dzugan estimates a final draft of an honorary street sign policy will be ready to appear before the city council for a final vote in 30 to 45 days.

City staff also is in the process of crafting an application anyone could fill out to nominate an honoree. If selected, applicants will have to pay the city $300 to cover the cost of sign materials, installation and removal.

The signs, which will be brown with white lettering, cannot be used to honor businesses, corporations, organizations or other groups of people. Honorary designations will be limited to one block on any street in the city and remain for three years. When the sign is removed, it will be given to the applicant.

During a planning session Monday, the city council expressed general support for the program.

Councilman Thor Saline said he liked the process some other towns used for applications that required the signatures of 50, 70 or 75 percent of homeowners on the street on a petition supporting the honorary designation. But other council members said they didn't want to complicate the process and noted that residents who don't agree with a nomination could always attend a city council meeting to express their concerns.

"I don't think we'll get a whole lot of requests, to be honest with you," Dzugan said to the council. "I'd be surprised."