Lake County leaders talk business, future

Leaders of southeast Lake County communities shared information about new businesses, road improvements and plans to improve local sales tax revenues Thursday as part of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce's Breakfast with the Villages.

Lake Zurich Village President Suzanne Branding said things are looking up compared to a year ago, when she gave a sobering report at the event. Among the projects on the village's agenda are a 95-unit senior facility to be completed this fall, an addition at the Super Walmart and five new homes. Developers also are expressing interest in developing downtown, she said.

“Revenue and development is trending upward, although it is not back to the levels we hoped for,” Branding added.

Among the plans in Long Grove, Village President Maria Rodriguez said, is the use of four downtown spaces as part of the restoration project where businesses will be able to build up to 7,000 square feet.

“They are important because they can recruit businesses that could not fit into Long Grove because they could not fit into the historic downtown district,” she said. “These will be opportunities in Long Grove that have not been here before.”

North Barrington Village President Albert Pino said unlike others, his village has no commercial business with exception of its two country clubs. With little land to develop, Pino said the goal is to maintain the community's resources.

“We want to become more efficient without raising taxes,” he said.

Hawthorn Woods Village President Joseph Mancino said officials are planning for the next economic boom by rebuilding staff, restructuring debt to save residents hundreds of thousands of dollars, and getting water and sewer infrastructure in place along the Midlothian Road corridor. The village also is planning to unveil a new website.

“It not only will be a great tool for the general public to learn about Hawthorn Woods but will allow us to communicate better with our residents,” he said.

Deer Park Village President Robert Kellerman said the village has eliminated deficit spending since 2004 and improved its cash reserve from $800,000 to $1.9 million. After voters approved a sales-tax hike in the fall, the village now looks to invest and start the largest infrastructure program in its history.

“We are moving forward, working with the chamber, shopping centers and with the hotel industry. That will be part of our nucleus to get us going,” he said.

Road improvements were among highlights elsewhere, as well. Kildeer Village President Nandia Black said she awaits a project to widen Quentin Road to four lanes and add bicycle lanes. The improvement will begin in two years.

“We feel this improvement not only will be a much safer situation for our residents but will be more pleasing and accessible to ride the bike paths,” Black said.

Officials also discussed the proposed expansion of Route 53.

“We have no less than 26 businesses that are interested in coming into the county,” Lake County Board member Craig Taylor said. “That is another reason we need Route 53. There is property north and west that can be developed, and that corridor would help in satisfying these businesses to come into the area.”

If there are dark clouds on the horizon, officials said they are the result of the state possibly looking to reduce local funding.

“What scares me is the state of Illinois,” Kellerman said. “The state will need money and it will be taking it from the municipalities.”