Batavia ranked among best places to raise kids

Batavia is among the best places in the country to raise children, according to BusinessWeek magazine.

The annual review rated the city 21st in the country for towns that were "the right combination of safety, community and education."

"It certainly speaks well for the community, and our community's commitment to its institutions," said Mayor Jeff Schielke.

Towns were chosen based on school test scores, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, number of schools and crime rate.

The magazine noted that many of its honorees were small towns with a strong sense of community.

Topping the list was Groesbeck, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb. Other towns from Illinois to make the list were: Western Springs, second; Deerfield, third; Wilmette, seventh; Barrington, 25th; Buffalo Grove, 30th; and Clarendon Hills, 33rd.

Batavia's highest rating came in the recreational and cultural activities category, where it was ranked 12th in the country.

Its scores in the other categories were: test scores, 49th; cost of living, 40th; schools, 39th; and crime, 16th.

Schielke said city hall employees had already received phone calls from people who had read the article and wanted to know more about the town.

For more information on the list, visit the magazine's Web site at www.businessweek.com.