Newsroom

Beginning Monday, December 8, new operating hours will go into effect for the Police Department’s front counter and drive-up window.

Front Counter Hours
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Drive-Up Window Hours
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Police Department is located at 730 Center Street. Residents with questions about the updated hours may call the department’s general information line at (262) 635-7700.

The City of Racine is inviting interested community members to apply for open seats on the boards of its three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs): Downtown (BID #1), Uptown (BID #3), and Douglas Avenue (BID #4). These volunteer boards help guide district-level investments, oversee annual operating plans, and support the continued economic development of Racine’s commercial corridors.

BID board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council in accordance with Wisconsin Statute 66.1109.

Who Can Apply

The City encourages applications from City of Racine residents living within a BID district, and from those who own, occupy, or operate a business within any district. Individual BID operating plans also identify district-specific expectations for board composition.

To download a map of the BID districts, click here.

How to Apply

Individuals interested in serving should complete the City’s online Boards & Commissions application.  Applicants should indicate their preferred district (Downtown, Uptown, or Douglas Avenue). The deadline to apply is December 8, 2025.

For further details on the Commission Meeting, please view the City’s Legislative Calendar on legistar.
Click the following link to view the Utility’s Draft Water Supply Plan.

Public Comments can be submitted via email to the Utility Chief Engineer at: chad.regalia@cityofracine.org

City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th. This includes city offices under this administration in the Annex.

From all of us at the City of Racine, have an enjoyable holiday!

The City of Racine’s Department of Public Works is notifying residents that in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025.

In addition, the City of Racine’s Department of Public Works is notifying residents that in observance of the Christmas Holiday, there will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

To ensure collection, carts must be placed at the curb or alley line by 7:00 a.m. on your designated day—even if that day has changed due to the holiday rotation.

To check your collection schedule, you can click the following link to look up your address: City of Racine – Collection Look Up. If you have questions or need assistance determining your updated schedule, please contact the Department of Customer Service at 262-636-9171.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain timely and efficient waste and recycling services for the community.

Please see the below document for information on new collection dates.

November and December Collection Schedule

Please click the links below to view the 2026 Proposed Budget and Proposed Budget Documents.

2026 City of Racine Proposed Budget Book PDF

Beginning November 1, SNAP (FoodShare) benefits will be temporarily paused due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This pause will affect thousands of Racine residents who depend on SNAP benefits for groceries and essential food items.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed that no new FoodShare funds will be issued until the shutdown ends. Residents can continue using any remaining funds on their QUEST cards, but should be aware that federal restrictions may limit card use if the shutdown continues into November.

FoodShare applications are still being accepted, though approvals for applications submitted on or after October 21 may be delayed until federal funding resumes. WIC benefits are not affected at this time and are expected to continue as scheduled.

We’ve noticed how many amazing Halloween decorations are lighting up Racine this year — and decided we couldn’t resist joining the fun! 🎃

This is a last-minute, just-for-fun contest to celebrate Racine’s creativity, Halloween spirit, and neighborhood pride. There’s no big prize — just bragging rights, community recognition, and a chance to show off your spooktacular style.

The City of Racine invites residents to enter their homes in the 2025 Spooktacular Homes Halloween Decorating Contest, a lighthearted way to highlight the incredible displays across our community.

Mayor Cory Mason presented the City of Racine’s proposed 2026 budget to the Common Council, outlining a balanced financial plan that cuts no services, eliminates no positions, and reduces the property tax rate for the eighth consecutive year.

“This budget continues to build on Racine’s foundation — investing in our neighborhoods, infrastructureThe basic systems and services, such as transportation and power supplies More, and people — while remaining fiscally responsible,” said Mayor Mason.

Please see the link to view the 2026 Proposed Budget.

The Proposed Budget book can be found here.

Additional budget information can be found here.

To view the budget meeting schedule, please visit our Legistar meeting calendar.

The City of Racine Public Health Department has released its list of Warming Centers for the 2025-26 winter season.

This list contains facilities throughout the City of Racine where residents in need can seek shelter during periods of extreme cold weather throughout the winter. Location hours and availability may be affected during extreme weather events or due to other factors such as holidays.

Trick or Treat Date Set for City of Racine

Get ready for a spooktacular evening in the City of Racine!

Trick-or-Treating will be held on Friday, October 31, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Residents who want to join the fun should keep their porch lights on to welcome little ghouls and goblins. Families are encouraged to stay safe by sticking to sidewalks, avoiding homes they are unfamiliar with, and keeping a watchful eye on traffic. Drivers, beware—watch for excited kids crossing streets as you cruise through neighborhoods!

The City of Racine is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week 2025, a nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance of inclusion in today’s increasingly digital world.

This year’s theme, Community-Driven Digital Futures, recognizes that the most impactful solutions for bridging the digital divide emerge directly from communities themselves.

Beginning Monday, October 6, 2025, tuckpointing work will begin on the west façade of City Hall. The project is expected to last approximately four weeks.

During this time:

• The west entrance will be closed, except in the event of an emergency.
• Parking along the west side of the building will be closed, except for the designated handicap spaces (see attached diagram).
• The north, south, and east entrances will remain open at all times.

Please plan accordingly when entering or exiting the building. We appreciate your cooperation as this necessary maintenance work is completed.

City of Racine Takes New Safety Measures at Carre Hogle Park Following Summer Drowning

The City of Racine is continuing to enhance water safety measures following several tragic incidents this summer. While Racine’s Lake Michigan shoreline provides many recreational opportunities, not all areas are designated or staffed for swimming. To help reduce future risks, City departments have collaborated to strengthen safety resources at Carre Hogle Park.

A joint team from the Fire Department, Public Health Department, and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department recommended two key improvements, both of which have been recently installed at the park:

• “No Swimming” Signage: Clear bilingual signs are posted at the park shoreline, warning visitors that swimming is not permitted.
• Life Ring Buoys: A throw ring and weather-protected cabinet have been installed for emergency use.

“These steps won’t eliminate every risk, but they provide clearer warnings and critical life-saving tools in case of emergency,” said Mayor Cory Mason. “We remain committed to doing what we can to prevent future tragedies.”

The Racine Fire Department also reminds residents that water safety education is key, especially when it comes to Lake Michigan’s powerful rip currents and sudden conditions. Community members are encouraged to revisit a series of short videos created by the Racine Fire Department, Racine Unified School District, and Racine County:

Dangers of Riptide
Lake Michigan Overview
What to Be Aware Of
Life Jackets
Signs of Drowning

“Public safety is always a shared responsibility,” said Racine Assistant Fire Chief Brian Wolf. “These resources, both physical and educational, are part of a broader effort to ensure families can safely enjoy Racine’s lakefront.”

The City of Racine’s Department of Community Safety invites residents to a free screening of The Body Politic on Wednesday, September 24, at the S.C. Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater.

This powerful documentary follows the City of Baltimore’s efforts to reduce gun violence and change the city’s trajectory. Immediately following the screening, local leaders working on similar strategies here in Racine will lead an interactive community panel on violence reduction and public safety.

October 6th – December 4th, 2025

The City of Racine Department of Public Works will conduct Fall Leaf Collection beginning Monday, October 6, 2025, through Thursday, December 4, 2025.

During this time, residents may place leaves, yard waste, and bundled branches into the street gutters following the guidelines below.

Racine residents can now pick up free gun locks at public health vending machines around the city, resulting from a partnership between the Racine Public Health Department and the Racine Department of Community Safety.

For More Information visit : Journaltimes.com

As of June 2025, gun violence in Racine is down nearly 80% compared to this time last year. Nine people have been struck by gunfire, compared to 42 during the same period in 2024

For more information, visit: Racinecountyeye.com

On Sunday, Dec.8 2025, a candlelight vigil was held to honor members of the Racine community impacted by violence, hosted by the City of Racine’s Department of Community Safety.

For more information, visit:  cbs58.com

The Racine Department of Community Safety is offering to help fund local programs that focus on crime and violence reduction through a city grant program.

For more information visit :  Journaltimes

The City of Racine’s Department of Public Works is notifying residents that in observance of Labor Day, there will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Monday, September 1, 2025.

As a result, collection services will rotate forward for all residents, following the 2025 collection calendar. Residents are encouraged to review the calendar closely to confirm their adjusted pickup day.

To ensure collection, carts must be placed at the curb or alley line by 7:00 a.m. on your designated day—even if that day has changed due to the holiday rotation.

If you have questions or need assistance determining your updated schedule, please contact the Department of Customer Service at 262-636-9171. You can also download the “Racine Recycles” app, available for both Android and iOS devices, to receive schedule alerts, set reminders, and look up accepted items.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain timely and efficient waste and recycling services for the community.

Please see the below document for information on new collection dates.

Labor Day Collection Schedule

Recent Changes to the Taste and Odor of Your Drinking Water

Racine Water Utility remains committed to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to every home and business in our service area. While some customers have recently noticed unusual tastes or odors, we want to reassure you that your water remains safe; it meets all federal and state drinking water standards and poses no risk to your health.

As noted in our earlier communication, the changes in taste and odor are primarily caused by naturally occurring compounds released by seasonal algal blooms in Lake Michigan. This summer, warmer-than-usual water temperatures contributed to the early growth of these blooms and intensified the presence of those compounds. Although they can affect the water’s taste and smell, they are not harmful to human health. It is safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in. We appreciate your patience as we work to mitigate their effects.

Cooling Centers are available to anyone who needs a safe, public space to cool off during extreme heat in the summer. Be sure to call ahead to confirm their hours.

Cooling Center List

Those most at risk of getting sick from the high temperatures and humidity are older adults, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, people without housing, and those with a chronic medical condition.