You are now in Carpentersville … did you know?

For those who have driven into Carpentersville without realizing you've left a neighboring town, you're not alone.

Even Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto said he routinely overlooks the dark brown wooden signs that welcome drivers and mark the village's boundaries.

But in the coming months, new signs will replace the old ones at five locations and Sarto and other drivers won't have an excuse for not knowing where they are.

"The signs now are difficult to see," Sarto said. "I can't tell you how they look or where they are because they don't jump out. The new ones will be a nice addition to the new roadways and will let people know they are in Carpentersville."

The village board last week approved a brick structure with a stone insert that will house the welcome sign. The sign will also feature a stone cap and base.

Trustees previously approved a contract with Schaumburg-based QT Signs to construct and landscape five entryway welcome signs with a price tag of more than $60,000.

Economic Development Director Janice Murphy has said a $36,000 Kane County Riverboat Grant the village received last August as well as $27,000 from the current fiscal year budget will help pay for the signs.

The new signs, which are expected to be completed by February, will greet drivers entering the village at the north and south ends of Route 25, the south entrance of Route 31, south on Randall Road and the west entry point on Huntley Road.

"The old ones are brown and wooden and shaped like a house. They are rather ugly," Sarto said. "I don't think they are a nice sign. These will be an improvement for our entryways."