Census tally gives new status to Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills has barely crossed the 25,000 mark in population to achieve home-rule status and gain the new powers that come with it for elected officials, according to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau figures released Tuesday.
Similar to many Lake County towns, retail powerhouse Vernon Hills has grown since the last census in 2000, when it had 20,120 residents. The 2010 census logged Vernon Hills' population at 25,113.
By crossing the 25,000-resident mark, Vernon Hills automatically becomes a home-rule community. As such, that means the village will receive broader taxing powers.
Elected officials in home-rule villages may raise taxes without voter input. The Illinois Municipal League counts more than 200 home-rule communities in the state.
“That's good news,” Vernon Hills Village Manager Mike Allison said of gaining home-rule status. “The (village) board hasn't really discussed anything specific on it. I think what it means is it gives us more flexibility in several areas that will be beneficial for our residents.”
Allison said home rule provides more flexibility in zoning and other regulations.
Meanwhile, a 213 percent population gain from 2000 to 2010 was registered in Round Lake. The census count shows the village jumped from 5,842 to 18,289.
Mayor James Dietz said the 2011 census population total was about what village officials had expected. Dietz said a special census about five years ago pegged Round Lake at 16,000, so much of the growth occurred from 2000 to 2006 before the recession hit.
He said the goal is to broaden the tax base and create jobs by attracting more commercial construction to Round Lake.
“We have room,” Dietz said. “We're trying to be responsible about our residential growth.”
Other towns with population increases in Lake County from 2000 to 2010:
ŸGurnee moving to 31,295 from 28,834 for an 8.5 percent increase.
ŸAntioch jumping to 14,430 from 8,788 for a 64.2 percent hike.
ŸGrayslake elevating to 20,957 from 18,506 for a 13.2 percent increase.
ŸFox Lake going to 10,579 from 9,178 for a 15.3 percent boost.
ŸLake Zurich expanding to 19,631 from 18,104 for an 8.4 percent hike.
Some Lake County communities had population decreases from 2000 to 2010, according to the census. For example, Highland Park slid 5.1 percent from 31,365 to 29,763.
Lake Forest's population dropped by 3.4 percent, from 20,059 to 19,375. North Chicago tumbled by 9.3 percent, from 35,918 to 32,574.
Census figures from 2010 show Lake County's overall population has increased 9.2 percent to 703,462.