The Dixon City Fire Department is now scheduling testing for entry level firefighter-paramedics.  Click here for more information. 

Saturday June 8th, 2013 will mark the 5th annual King Kat Tournament in Dixon. This is the Biggest and Best Catfish Tournament Trail put on by Cabela's and King Kat USA. The 2013 event is sponsored by Dixon Tourism, KSB Hospital, ACE Hardware and the City of Dixon.

Registration forms are available at the Dixon Welcome Center and ACE Hardware in Dixon or you can register online at www.kingkatusa.com . Registration fee is $200 and Late Registration ($25 fee) is also available at ACE Hardware from 5p-7p on Friday, June 7th, 2013. Vendors will also be available to talk with this evening.

On Tournament day, June 8th, teams can fish on the Rock River from the Steel Mill Dam at Milan to the Dam at Oregon for $10,000 in prize money. The purse is one of the national catfish tourney's largest. Fishing begins at 630am and goes till 330pm and Anglers must be in line for weigh in by 4pm.
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day as fisherman check-in from 11am - 4pm at Paige Park Drive along the Rock River. Food will be available for Purchase at Paige Park from 11am-end of event, courtesy of Dixon Junior Dukes.

More information is available at the Dixon Welcome Center or ACE Hardware or at www.kingkatusa.com.

Photos from 2012 King Kat Tournament, supplied by King Kat USA

Saturday June 8th, 2013 will mark the 5th annual King Kat Tournament in Dixon. This is the Biggest and Best Catfish Tournament Trail put on by Cabela's and King Kat USA. The 2013 event is sponsored by Dixon Tourism, KSB Hospital, ACE Hardware and the City of Dixon.

Registration forms are available at the Dixon Welcome Center and ACE Hardware in Dixon or you can register online at www.kingkatusa.com . Registration fee is $200 and Late Registration ($25 fee) is also available at ACE Hardware from 5p-7p on Friday, June 7th, 2013. Vendors will also be available to talk with this evening.

On Tournament day, June 8th, teams can fish on the Rock River from the Steel Mill Dam at Milan to the Dam at Oregon for $10,000 in prize money. The purse is one of the national catfish tourney's largest. Fishing begins at 630am and goes till 330pm and Anglers must be in line for weigh in by 4pm.
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day as fisherman check-in from 11am - 4pm at Paige Park Drive along the Rock River. Food will be available for Purchase at Paige Park from 11am-end of event, courtesy of Dixon Junior Dukes.

More information is available at the Dixon Welcome Center or ACE Hardware or at www.kingkatusa.com.

Photos from 2012 King Kat Tournament, supplied by King Kat USA

The Dixon City Fire Department is sponsoring the first annual "Battle of the Badges" blood drive.  This will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Dixon City Fire Department, located at 210 S. Hennepin Avenue in Dixon, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  To make an appointment, call the Fire Department at 815-288-3323.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

Donors will be able to choose a department to support, and pints of blood will be counted to determine which department was able to collect the most life saving donations.  Participating departments include Dixon City Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Department and Dixon Police Department.

Click here to view the flyer.

Come out and show your support!

Spring is around the corner and the thought of being outdoors will be on all our minds.

Now is the time to order your commemorative paver for our next engraving. The pavers make a great gift for a loved one, school reunions, birthday, wedding gifts and a multitude of other ideas. The engraving will take place around the middle of June and the deadline to purchase these will be the first of June.

There are many locations still available and the choice will be up to you.

Check out our web-site at www.dixonriverfront.net where you will be able to view the prices, and pictures of the pavers, and other amenities. We still have a few benches, and cafe tables available. These items can also be dedicated by an attached plaque.

For any other questions please call me at 815-973-0931.

The Dixon Riverfront is also starting on the Phase II program to develop a bike and walking path along the Rock River east of Dixon along RT.2. In addition a project to install the boat dock facilities is underway.

Your donation is tax deductible! The Dixon Riverfront Commission is qualified as a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code.

Dixon Tourism would like to send kudos to the Petunia Festival Board and Volunteers for all they do and have done to attract visitors to our community!  The Dixon Petunia Festival is typically held the last week of June and the first week in July, ending on or around July 4th.  Depending on how the dates fall.  The festival offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for all ages. 

For years the Petunia Festival Country Concert was held at the City Airport - Walgreen Field.  It was a huge undertaking for the Petunia Festival Board, who financed, marketed, and sought sponsorship to make it happen.  The board along with the many volunteers were also responsible for designing the layout, setting up and taking down the stage.  These people worked tirelessly for days to make this all happen.  It has been an event enjoyed by over 2000+ concert goers each year and is now help along the Rock River in Page Park with the permission of the Dixon Park District.  Our city has been the recipient of many well known entertainers who will forever remember their performance at our airport.  This years performers on the Park stages have not yet been announced. 

Take a look at who have performed over the years...

Artists Performing at the Petunia Festival Country Concert

Year                              Openers                       Headliner

1995                                               Lisa Brokop                                   Marty Stuart

1996                                               Rhett Akins                                    Lee Roy Parnell

1997                                               Kenny Chesney                             Martina McBride

1998                                              Ty Herndon                                    Terri Clark

1999                                              Chely Wright, Michael Peterson     Lonestar

2000                                              Shane Minor                                   Patty Loveless

2001                                              Eric Heatherly, Clay Davidson        The Wilkinsons

2002                                              Little Big Town                                Collin Raye

2003                                              Joe Nichols                                      Phil Vassar

2004                                              Dayna Malow, Craig Morgan           Mark Wills

2005                                              Cal Stage, Billy Currington              Jamie O'Neal

2006                                              Rodney Atkins                                  Trick Pony

2007                                              Danielle Peck                                   Darryl Worley

2008                                              TelluRide                                          Pat Green

2009                                             Whiskey Falls                                    Steve Holy

2010                                             Williams Riley Band                           Easton Corbin

2011                                            Adam Craig Band                               David Nail

2012                                            Burns & Poe                                       Frankie Ballard

RED Walgreen Field Stage

Black Festival Grounds stages

Dixon Tourism would like to send kudos to the Petunia Festival Board and Volunteers for all they do and have done to attract visitors to our community!  The Dixon Petunia Festival is typically held the last week of June and the first week in July, ending on or around July 4th.  Depending on how the dates fall.  The festival offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for all ages. 

For years the Petunia Festival Country Concert was held at the City Airport - Walgreen Field.  It was a huge undertaking for the Petunia Festival Board, who financed, marketed, and sought sponsorship to make it happen.  The board along with the many volunteers were also responsible for designing the layout, setting up and taking down the stage.  These people worked tirelessly for days to make this all happen.  It has been an event enjoyed by over 2000+ concert goers each year and is now help along the Rock River in Page Park with the permission of the Dixon Park District.  Our city has been the recipient of many well known entertainers who will forever remember their performance at our airport.  This years performers on the Park stages have not yet been announced. 

Take a look at who have performed over the years...

Artists Performing at the Petunia Festival Country Concert

Year                              Openers                       Headliner

1995                                               Lisa Brokop                                   Marty Stuart

1996                                               Rhett Akins                                    Lee Roy Parnell

1997                                               Kenny Chesney                             Martina McBride

1998                                              Ty Herndon                                    Terri Clark

1999                                              Chely Wright, Michael Peterson     Lonestar

2000                                              Shane Minor                                   Patty Loveless

2001                                              Eric Heatherly, Clay Davidson        The Wilkinsons

2002                                              Little Big Town                                Collin Raye

2003                                              Joe Nichols                                      Phil Vassar

2004                                              Dayna Malow, Craig Morgan           Mark Wills

2005                                              Cal Stage, Billy Currington              Jamie O'Neal

2006                                              Rodney Atkins                                  Trick Pony

2007                                              Danielle Peck                                   Darryl Worley

2008                                              TelluRide                                          Pat Green

2009                                             Whiskey Falls                                    Steve Holy

2010                                             Williams Riley Band                           Easton Corbin

2011                                            Adam Craig Band                               David Nail

2012                                            Burns & Poe                                       Frankie Ballard

RED Walgreen Field Stage

Black Festival Grounds stages

The City of Dixon, population of 15,750 a full-service community located in Lee County, Illinois, approximately 100 miles west of Chicago, is looking to fill the newly created position of Information Technology Manager. Responsibilities will include maintaining, supporting, and securing the city's core network along with additional independent networks located throughout the city's departments including police, fire, and public works; data management; monitoring and maintaining computer systems, installing and providing maintenance for computers, printers, and other related equipment; installing and updating software; troubleshooting hardware and software issues; maintaining and configuring telephone services; other duties as assigned. Candidates must have at least five years of increasingly responsible experience in the information technology field.

Starting salary commensurate with experience and education. Submit résumé, cover letter and contact information for three work-related references to Amanda Bradshaw, HR Administrative Assistant, City of Dixon, 121 W. Second Street, Dixon, IL 61021 or via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The City of Dixon offers a competitive benefits' package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Click here to see the position description.

The City of Dixon, population of 15,750, a full-service community located in Lee County, Illinois, approximately 100 miles west of Chicago, has an opening for the position of Building/Electrical Inspector. Responsibilities include residential and commercial electrical inspections, building inspections, and property maintenance complaint inspections. Successful candidate must possess a working knowledge of the National Electrical Code and have experience in the construction field along with excellent verbal and written communications skills. Computer knowledge is a plus.
Starting salary commensurate with experience and education. Submit résumé and cover letter to Shawn Ortgiesen, City Engineer/HR/Public Works Director, 121 W. Second Street, Dixon, IL 61021 or via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The City of Dixon offers a competitive benefits' package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Dixon Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating Joseph A. Linscott, age 22, on a valid Dixon Police Department warrant for Aggravated Battery. Anyone with information on Linscott's whereabouts is asked to the Dixon Police Department at 815-288-4411 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-Caught-U (1-888-228-4488). Callers who provide information that lead to an arrest are eligible for a cash reward.

The annual Cops And Bobbers fishing derby was held on August 25th, 2012 at Lowell Park and was a great success! We had 42 children participate this year and 28 fish were caught. Seven year old Ellie Meyers did great and pulled in five channel cats (with the help of her Grandpa and his home made cheese bait). She won the biggest fish award and she also won for number of fish caught.

Weekly updates on internal City business will be posted on the City website every Friday. This coming Friday will include a summary of weekly activities by the GovTemp financial consultants Stan Helgerson and David Richardson. The Mayor also said that any new developments or news will be announced before or at City Council meetings. The Mayor is available to take phone calls and in person visits with anyone having comments or questions.

Click here for the September 12th Status Report
Click here for the September 6th Status Report
Click here for the August 30th Status Report
Click here for the August 22nd Status Report
Click here for the August 16th Status Report
Click here for the August 9th Status Report
Click here for the August 2nd Status Report
Click here for the July 26th Status Report
Click here for the July 19th Status Report
Click here for the July 11th Status Report
Click here for the July 3rd Status Report
Click here for the June 27th Status Report
Click here for the June 21st Status Report
Click here for the June 14th Status Report
Click here for the June 6th Status Report
Click here for the May 29th Status Report
Click here for the May 24th Status Report
Click here for the May 17th Status Report

On Friday, June 15th, the City of Dixon Fire Department welcomed the arrival of a new truck.  The truck, a 2011 Alexis 104 foot tower ladder truck, was purchased from Alexis Fire Equipment in Alexis, Illinois.

Members of the City and Rural Fire Departments were present as well as Mayor Burke, Commissioner Jeff Kuhn, and several family members and friends.

It is a tradition for fire fighters to push the truck into the bay for the first time.

Enjoy the photos!

Kids wearing a helmet while riding their bicycle will receive a free ice cream cone from the Dixon Police Department. This initiative comes after 8 year old Laci Long approached Chief Langloss with the idea. Laci did not wear a helmet prior to a trip to see her cousins in the Quad Cities. While there, Laci saw a police officer approach some other kids and give them a coupon for a free ice cream cone because they were wearing a helmet. When Laci returned home, she asked her parents to buy her a helmet. Laci told Chief Langloss she thought other kids would want to wear a helmet too, if they knew they would get ice cream.

Chief Langloss said, "The department intended on conducting a bicycle safety initiative this spring, and this seemed to be the perfect fit. Head injuries are the leading cause of sudden death in children. This is a great idea from a very bright young girl." When officers make contact with kids, they will also conduct a free inspection of the bike to ensure it is safe. Particular attention will be given to reflectors and the officers will give a short quiz about bicycle safety.

Over the past year, the department has received numerous complaints about bicyclists. The complaints vary from equipment problems to failing to follow the rules of the road. Chief Langloss said, "We are hoping to make an impact in safety and reduce the number of complaints this summer."

The department is currently seeking funding to assist kids who cannot afford to purchase a helmet. Langloss said the cost seems like a small price to pay for safety.

Chief Langloss rewarded Laci with a Dixon Police Department "Challenge Coin". The coins are not available to purchase and are only given to Dixon Police Officers and members of the community who make a positive impact on public safety. The free ice cream has been provided by Culver's and McDonald's of Dixon.

Anyone with other safety ideas or police initiatives is encouraged to contact Chief Langloss at 815/288-4411.

Sixteen Police Agencies Across Seven Counties Launch
Major Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Campaign

For the past 3 years, the Dixon Police Department has played a major role in raising awareness and creating prevention messages on child sexual abuse. The initiative started when the Shining Star Children's Center, located in Dixon, was selected to host the Champions for Children Walk in May of 2009. Since then, Dixon officers have conducted community presentations to more than 5,000 people and more than 1,150 citizens have participated in the annual walk. The police department has also provided in-service training to school administrators, teachers, and counselors.

Chief Langloss stated, "After our very first community presentation, it was obvious people were ready to hear this message and take action. Several business and school leaders approach me and ask us to give our presentation to their employees. Our community is responsible for a major push across the state to give a face and a voice to these child victims."

In February of 2010, Chief Langloss met a young woman named Erin Merryn at a local training conference hosted by Shining Star. Merryn spoke about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her best friend's uncle and her cousin. She said growing up in public schools, she was taught the 8 ways to say "no" to drugs through D.A.R.E. and what to do for a fire or a tornado, but no one ever spoke about safe secrets and unsafe secrets or safe touches and unsafe touches. No one told her what to do when someone broke the "Touching Rule". Merryn shared her vision about a law which would require public schools to provide age-appropriate curriculum on child sexual abuse prevention in grades pre-K though 5. Within a week of meeting Merryn, she and Chief Langloss met with Senator Tim Bivins of Dixon to discuss her vision. Senator Bivins and Representative Jerry Mitchell sponsored the bill in the Senate and House of Representatives.

On February, 14, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed Public Act 96-1524 into law. The Act created the "Erin's Law Task Force". 19 members were carefully selected based on highly specialized experience in the field of child sexual abuse and academia. School administrators, teachers, counselors, researchers, academic curriculum experts, child protective services, children's advocacy centers, and law enforcement met for more than 9 months. Chief Langloss was selected to represent the task force as the Chairman. The final report has been completed and submitted to Governor Quinn. Representative Mitchell has drafted a bill that will be heard in the upcoming Veto Session.

Chief Langloss stated, "It is time to move forward with the next phase of this campaign. This will make our children safer from these child predators. In the wake of Penn State, Syracuse, and many other high profile child sexual abuse cases, we can no longer sit back and do nothing. Law enforcement must lead the way, and we are prepared to do exactly that." Through the Northwest Law Enforcement Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, 16 police agencies across 7 counties will be disseminating more than 10,000 child sexual abuse awareness flyers during traffic stops and other community events. Chief Langloss said, "Just by brining awareness to this issue, we make our children safer. When parents speak to their children about this topic, it makes them safer. Perpetrators are very good at picking kids who do not tell. This has been the best kept secret across our entire country. That is why it is referred to as the "Silent Epidemic". Someone is more likely to stop and help a battered dog then come forward and help a child being sexually abused. That is unacceptable."

The flyer was designed by the Dixon Police Department. Dixon Direct of Dixon mass produced these flyers for free. The agencies participating in this campaign are: Dixon Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Department, Amboy Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Rochelle Police Department, Byron Police Department, Polo Police Department, Forreston Police Department, Lena Police Department, Stephenson County Sheriff's Department, Freeport Police Department, Sterling Police Department, Morrison Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Cherry Valley Police Department, and Sycamore Police Department.

Anyone who wishes to report child abuse can contact their local police department, children advocacy center, or the Department of Children and Family Services at 1-800-25-ABUSE. Anyone seeking further information about child sexual abuse can contact the Dixon Police Department at 815/288-4411 or the Shining Star Children's Center at 815/284-1891.

 Mayor James Burke holds a press conference on April 18, 2012 regarding the arrest of City Comptroller Rita Crundwell.

Click here for a copy of Mayor Burke's Statement to the Community
Click here for a copy of the U.S. Department of Justice's press release
Click here to watch the press conference held on 04/18/2012
Click here for a copy of the Indictment of Rita Crundwell
Click here for a copy of Crundwell's Post-Indictment Restraining Order
Click here for a copy of Mayor Burke's May 21, 2012 statement

Click here for the March 14th agenda and January 11th meeting minutes

The CD's & DVD's of the "Reagan of Illinois" symphony performance in Dixon in 2011 are now available for purchase at the Dixon Welcome Center.  The CD's are $14.99 + tax and the DVD's are $19.99 + tax.

• Nighttime driving restrictions
  o Sunday through Thursday – 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  o Friday and Saturday – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

• Number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the  back seat

• Graduated driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 19 are properly restrained with safety belts or child restraint system

• For the first 12 months of licensing, or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, the number of passengers is limited to one person under the age of 20, unless the passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the driver.

• It is an offense for a person aged 15 to19 to be a passenger in a vehicle that is being operated by a graduated driver for the first 12 months of licensing, or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, if another passenger under the age of 20 is present, excluding a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the driver

• Cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider, or emergency services agency

• Texting while driving is prohibited

• For further information see the provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code listed by following this link.
or the Illinois Secretary of State listed by following this link.

The “Reagan of Illinois” Symphony to Celebrate Ronald Reagan’s Birth, which premiered earlier this year in Dixon, is one step away from receiving, potentially, four Grammy award nominations! The categories they are considering it in are: Best Orchestral Performance, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, Best Long-Form Music Video and Best Engineered Album, Classical. What an honor for the talented people who wrote, conducted and performed the piece and for Dixon and for the memory of our favorite son.