In a local adaptation of Chicago's One Book, One Chicago program, the City of Warrenville joined the City of Wheaton and Community Unit School District 200 in the spring of 2004 to unite citizens through poetic literature. The program, called Community Partners in Poetry, was launched on April 20, 2004, when contemporary poet David Baker spoke and read some of his poems at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. Joining Mr. Baker at the inaugural poetry event were several students who read their original works, former Warrenville Mayor Vivian Lund, and former Wheaton Mayor Jim Carr. The two mayors read their favorite selection from Good Poems, an anthology edited by Garrison Keillor.

To continually honor this program, the City invited guests to read poetry at the start of every City Council meeting. Well-known, obscure, and original poems have been read over the years. Guest readers included local officials, students, and notable professional poets, among others.

A committee of Warrenville and Wheaton citizens, as well as teachers and staff in District 200, directs Community Partners in Poetry. Mayor Brummel is looking for a representative for Warrenville. This is an important volunteer opportunity and anyone interested can contact the Mayor at 630/393-9427 or davidbrummel@warrenville.il.us.

The City of Warrenville hopes to inspire greater appreciation of poetry through this program's efforts. Anyone interested in reading a poem at a City Council meeting can contact the City at 630/393-9427.