Concert series may survive Carol Stream budget woes

Carol Stream residents no longer will have to sing the blues about the elimination of the Summer Concert Series.

Some village officials and area businesses will dig into their own pockets to ensure the popular tradition continues this year.

Assistant to the Village Manager Chris Oakley said Tuesday that a drive to raise money for the series has been a rousing success, to the tune of $11,500. That money will allow the village to put on at least seven concerts and Oakley said he is confident a full slate of nine shows will be sponsored before the March 5 deadline.

The first concert is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 10 at Town Center.

The concert series was put on the chopping block at a January budget hearing to help reduce the village's $2.69 million deficit. At the meeting, Trustee Rick Geiser offered to help keep the series alive and donated $500 of his own money to the cause. Other trustees also have pledged their own financial support.

"In times of economic distress, you have got to cut things that are not essential," Geiser said. "(But) this is something that has been created by the village and has been embraced by (residents). It would be a shame to lose it."

Each of the shows has a price tag of about $1,450. The cost includes the band and money paid to one employee for overtime.

Oakley said the village will try to use volunteer police officers and salaried employees to help cut costs.

As it became apparent the series would not survive the village's budget woes, Oakley said staff reached out to businesses, hoping to keep the program afloat.

He estimated between 1,200 and 1,400 people attended each of last year's free concerts, which were paid for by the village.

Village President Frank Saverino said he couldn't justify using village funds to pay for them in a budget that has forced Carol Stream to offer buyouts to some employees and to raise the sales tax. All other Town Center events have been eliminated.

But Saverino is sponsoring two of the concerts himself.

"I appreciate the trustees coming forward," he said. "We figured we needed to do something for the community."