Since 1960, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored National Public Works Week. Across North America, more than 30,000 members in the U.S. and Canada use this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of public works to their daily lives: planning, building, managing, and operating at the heart of their local communities to improve everyday quality of life.

APWA is proud to announce the theme “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community” for National Public Works Week, May 17–23, 2026. The roots of service run deep in public works. It’s what has propelled public works innovations that have helped our communities evolve into places where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility. Some work—like building roads and bridges—is highly visible, while other public works contributions—like maintaining water and sewer systems—are sometimes hidden from view. Together, these efforts form the foundation of thriving communities, reminding us that every project, seen or unseen, powers the connection between service and the people it supports.

The theme “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community” reminds us that public works professionals are motivated to serve the communities that they love and that power them to always do their best. Whether serving as first responders, responding to electricity outages, providing regular waste pickup, or making roads and sidewalks passable after a winter weather event, public works puts service at the forefront for their community.

People, Purpose, Presence highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities daily. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Public works professionals will often never meet those whose lives have been impacted because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.

Public works professionals advance the quality of life by providing an infrastructure of services in transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They are what make our communities dynamic places to live and work. Join us in celebrating the quiet work these professionals do that makes life better for all of us.

To celebrate National Public Works Week, the Mount Prospect Public Works Department is hosting its Annual Open House on May 16, 2026 from 9am - 1pm.

Public Works connects the community by providing transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They make our communities great places to live and work, so join us in celebrating these connections!

There's something for everyone at the Open House, so bring the whole family! The Open House features games and activities with prizes, a tour of the Public Works facility, a children's Fun Fact Hunt, and a wide range of displays demonstrating how the Village's water system, sewer system, parkway trees, buildings, streets, and vehicles are maintained. Kids can also meet PW Paws, the Mount Prospect Public Works Department mascot. The Mount Prospect Lions Club provides complimentary refreshments and hot dogs. Make sure to use #NPWW on all your National Public Works Week social media posts. 

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 847-870-5640.