You know, it’s strange. I’ve been working in the community development field for almost ten years and yet, I’m not actuallysure when I first became aware of local government. I remember calling the Mayor’s office in fourth grade to advocate for a snow day (ironically, I was told that the city did not determine such…

Wheaton, Illinois<br />Since 2007 upwards of 14,000 households in Wheaton paid for their curbside collection of solid waste and recycling by purchasing “stickers” and attaching them to containers of garbage and yard waste. While stickers were not required for recycling, the cost of collecting and processing recyclables was built into the total sticker price. The lack…

I’m sure that some of us can recall moments in life when we stop and think “Wow, that’s how this works? How have I gone so long without knowing that?”  Perhaps sitting down to do your taxes for the first time dispels some of the “mystery” behind that withholding line on your paycheck. Maybe you…

Attend this ICMA Annual Conference roundtable and learn the best practices of vibrant local governments. 

On the first day of my first class of my MPA program, my Public Affairs professor asked the class, “How many of you remember anything you learned in college?” The room filled with chuckles and nervous glances as only a few brave souls tentatively raised their hands. My professor went on to explain that the…

At Life, Well Run we make it our business to showcase the amazing work carried out by the men and women in local government on the front lines of issues facing their communities and regions each day. Their jobs are complex and often multifaceted – ranging across fields as diverse as public works, youth development,…

The 2017 Life, Well Run Student Photo Contest ended two weeks ago, and our judges have been pouring over submissions to decide the winner of our four very special prizes. Opened to students and next generation local government professionals, the Student Photo Contest allowed us to take a peek into the everyday lives of the students who…

Niles, Illinois<br />Niles and surrounding communities had been plagued by flooding since the 1970s. The issue came to a head when, in September 2008, the area experienced record rainfall of about 9.5 inches in 15 hours. The region was declared a federal disaster area when the resulting flooding overwhelmed local and regional sewer systems and caused…

Heroism. It’s a description that conjures a lot of images and an ideal that has been the basis of countless good vs. evil, triumph-over-tragedy stories told throughout generations. The qualities of heroes (and heroines) are ones that our very best selves strive to attain. To seek the good of others over oneself, to stand for,…