Lake Co. officials see better times ahead

Communities have been battered by a poor economy that has resulted in layoffs and other cuts, but some local leaders are warily looking ahead to better times.

Whether or when that happens is hard to pinpoint. Towns operate with much leaner bottom lines, and money for new projects that could boost municipal coffers remains tight.

Despite the hurdles, there is a good amount of activity and some plans to look forward to, according to representatives from Green Oaks, Vernon Hills, Libertyville and Mundelein.

Officials shared news and views of their communities Tuesday during the annual "Ask the Mayors" luncheon hosted by the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.

Mundelein has weathered two difficult years, losing 25 percent of its operating revenue, Village Administrator John Lobaito said.

"We ended the year with property values essentially flat and we consider that a success," he said. Thirteen of 180 employee positions were eliminated, though five spots had been vacant, he added.

Despite the hard times, the village recently bought about 10 acres and now owns about 24 acres of tired industrial property around a Metra train station.

The plan is to redevelop it as part of a long-range vision for a downtown area "that's far more active than it is today," Lobaito said. The village also has targeted the Diamond Lake area for redevelopment.

Libertyville also has been dealing with sinking revenues, but Mayor Terry Weppler said he was encouraged by recent activity.

Sales tax receipts have been up three of the last four months, he said, and though the village lost six businesses, it added 11.

"The good news is I think we're coming back," he said.

Car dealers, the lifeblood of the village's sales tax base for decades, have organized as a single marketing entity and restaurants are doing the same, he added.

"It's a matter or working together and getting people spending money again," he said.

Vernon Hills officials agreed to a rare incentive to revive an aging strip shopping center to be anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods, and enacted a moratorium on non-commerical uses in the heart of its shopping area.

"If you can help a business ... it's got to be contemplated," Mayor Roger Byrne said.

Though there is ample room for new retail development, money remains tight. It will be easier to fill vacancies because building new structures is still daunting for developers, he added.

Ongoing projects include renovation of the Cuneo property and addition of a banquet facility by Loyola University, a proposed grocery store along Milwaukee Avenue, a pending affordable senior housing complex and a new library, Byrne noted.

He added communities have to closely watch actions of the state to ensure already eroded revenue sources aren't further depleted, and it won't be housing this time that boosts local economies.

In Green Oaks, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, officials are working with developers to attract theaters or big box stores to the northeast corner of Route 176 and the Tri-State Tollway, Trustee John Wagener said.

Work continues on the reconstruction of Atkinson Road, the largest public works project ever done in the village, Wagener added.