The year in preview: What will make news in the Tri-Cities in 2008
Kane County
After years of controversy, planning, and, finally, building, a new Kane County jail will open in 2008.
The 640-bed jail will be built for $55.8 million next to the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles Township.
Slated to open in the fall, the jail is one of the most expensive, controversial and long-awaited construction projects in the county's history.
Officials hope the new, larger jail, in conjunction with better population management techniques, will alleviate overcrowding as the number of county residents continues to grow. For years the county has paid rent to house inmates in other jails.
The building's two towers were erected this year, along with a shell space for a relocated Kane County sheriff's office. The current jail and sheriff's headquarters, located in Geneva, will be demolished.
The existing jail has undergone four additions since its construction in 1975. In 1995 voters rejected a tax increase to fund a major jail expansion. In early 2006, the county board finally voted to build a new jail and fund it with a mix of debt certificates and cash reserves.
A group of residents living near the new jail formed to oppose the project, contending the facility will be too small to serve the county's needs. Tina Yagla, one of Jail Options In Need's most vocal leaders, is now running for Kane County Board and has named the jail project one of her campaign issues.
Yagla, a Republican, is one of four candidates challenging sitting board members in the Feb. 5 primary. Board chairman Karen McConnaughay, a St. Charles Republican seeking a second term, faces a challenge from Jim MacRunnels, the board's staunchest critic.
But the most prominent Kane County election in 2008 is the crowded race to replace former U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert. The Plano Republican retired Nov. 26 after 20 years representing the 14th Congressional District.
Three Republicans -- Chris Lauzen, Jim Oberweis and Michael Dilger -- and four Democrats -- Bill Foster, John Laesch, Jotham Stein and Joe Serra -- are vying to succeed him. Voters will elect someone to fulfill the remaining months of his term and someone to serve a full 2-year term.
-- Lisa Smith
Batavia
With a new year and a new bridge, officials are looking for new development to come to Batavia.
In 2008, residents will see a re-opened Wilson Street bridge and a new school center.
The city is also working with developers who are waiting for bridge construction to finish before buying or leasing property, said Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke.
"There could be quite a bit of activity around the downtown area," he said.
The completion date for the bridge has been moved back to mid- or late January.
Also next month, the city plans to start its process to decide what to do with the First Baptist Church building on Wilson Street.
The city owns the building, which at one point might have been demolished for the re-alignment of Route 25 to eliminate the "jog."
But that plan was scrapped, and now the city has to decide what to do with the property. The building could be sold and the parking lot kept for downtown parking, Schielke said.
He said there could be development on the old Shumway property that was demolished this year, as well as Craig Foltos' plan for new multi-use buildings downtown.
Several businesses plan to build or expand on Randall Road as well.
The Wal-Mart will expand to a Super Wal-Mart with a grocery store, Menards will look at an expansion and the Golden Corral may begin construction, he said.
The school district may change elementary school boundaries in anticipation of several new classrooms becoming available in August.
The district's new Early Childhood Center at Alice Gustafson Elementary School should open then.
A new classroom wing at the high school, another component of the district's successful $75 million referendum last year, will start being built as well.
-- Leslie Hague
Elburn
Elburn residents can look forward to more shopping and banking convenience, and perhaps some long-awaited peace and quiet.
The Prairie Valley North Commercial Center is slated to expand in 2008. A 14,700-square-foot Walgreen's with drive-through pharmacy will be constructed at the northeast corner of routes 38 and 47. Castle Bank will join Walgreen's as part of the sub-division. Construction of both is expected to begin in the fall.
The new year may bring relief for Elburn residents who are subjected to the blaring of the horns from the multitude of trains that pass through the village day and night. Officials have received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to construct a quiet zone. The project will include building 100-foot medians at the crossing at First Street and Pouley Road to prevent drivers from slaloming out onto the gate. It isn't known when construction will be completed, but for many it can't be too soon.
Erin Willrett will become Elburn's first community development director at the beginning of the year. Willrett said she looks forward to ensuring that "Elburn's historic downtown remains connected to its new developments."
-- Nancy Gier
Geneva
What can Genevans expect in 2008?
A. The opening of the new city water treatment plant by the end of January. It was designed to look like a barn. It will provide noticeably softer water, with less radium in it. The facility is at Peck and Keslinger roads, and is estimated to cost about $21 million.
B. That the school board will ask voters to raise taxes to add on to Geneva High School, and to convert Coultrap Elementary School into an administration center.
In a 2006 facilities master plan, the board suggested asking voters in 2008 to enlarge the high school so it could accommodate up to 2,500 students. That's the amount it projected the district will have when and if all residential subdivisions in its boundaries are "built out," including Mill Creek and the Settlements of LaFox.
A referendum to build a new elementary school at Settlements may be put off, however, as that development is not proceeding as fast as expected.
Expanding the high school was estimated at $38 million; rejigging Coultrap, $12 million; and building the Settlements of LaFox school, $25 million.
C.The opening of the new Peck Farm Park recreation center by the Geneva Park District, in the fall. It is estimated to cost $9.5 million, and will include a gymnasium, indoor track and fitness center.
D. Delnor-Community Hospital may file its official application to be allowed to perform open-heart surgery. It submitted a letter of intent in October to the state health facilities planning board.
To accommodate increased electrical usage by the expanding hospital, as well as other customers, the city is building a new electrical substation between Delnor-Community and the Fisher Farms subdivision.
E. The east side of Geneva will have a grocery store for the first time in years, as Aldi's prepares to open in early 2008 at State Street and East Side Drive.
-- Susan Sarkauskas
North Aurora
In North Aurora, look for things to get bigger and better in 2008.
The village will start on a new riverwalk, police station, and widening several major roads.
Along with the Interstate 88 project going on, next spring the village will start widening Oak Street from two lanes to three from Route 31 to Acorn Drive.
The village should choose an architect and start on a design for a new police station as well, said Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin.
Several new stores should be opening in the new year.
Best Buy is scheduled to open by the fall along Orchard Gateway Boulevard, and a La-Z-Boy store should open in the summer, McLaughlin said.
The village should also start working on the first phase of its riverfront project, possibly adding a children's area or working to update the amenities there.
North Aurora recently received a $110,000 Kane County grant to work on the project between routes 25 and 31.
Residents will vote in February whether to elect their three fire board trustees. The board is currently appointed through the county.
They will also vote on a tax increase for the Fox Valley Park District. Officials want a $44.8 million increase to buy open space and update facilities.
For that increase, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $24 more a year.
The park district should also learn more about contamination at Island Park, where construction on a playground has been delayed because of problems with the soil.
-- Leslie Hague
St. Charles
St. Charles residents might have more than one tax increase request to consider in 2008.
While only the St. Charles Park District has announced official plans to put such a request on the Feb. 5 ballot, three other taxing bodies that include parts of the city face their own needs.
Perhaps most notable is the space crunch that continues to plague St. Charles Unit School District 303.
In the wake of multiple tax-request failures, the district in 2007 launched a community goal-setting effort, which some speculate could lead to a referendum request as early as November.
The St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District, whose voters rejected a massive tax increase request last year, also is forging ahead with a new strategic plan.
The district, which serves Wayne, Campton Hills and parts of unincorporated St. Charles, voted early in 2007 not to move forward immediately with another tax request to build new stations -- but did not abandon the idea.
Elsewhere, the St. Charles Library District has continued to gobble up property around its 100-year-old building at 1 S. Sixth Ave., with plans for an expansion expected in the near future. Officials have said such an expansion would require millions of dollars in additional tax revenue.
To be clear, the first and only referendum announced so far for 2008 is the park district's $25 million request, to appear on the Feb. 5 ballot.
The hike would fund improvements at Pottawatomie Pool and the addition of a pool at Campton Hills Splash Park, among other projects.
-- Josh Stockinger
Sugar Grove
Sugar Grove looks forward to continued growth in 2008 but at a much slower pace than anticipated.
While residents will be able to keep tabs on the construction of the new library, the village board recently scrapped plans for a new municipal center.
The new $8 million library will be built on a 5-acre parcel at Snow Street and Municipal Drive, with construction expected to begin in the spring. Voters approved the construction bonds in 2004.
Voters will again be asked to support an increase in the library's operating budget when they go to the polls Feb. 5. Five such requests have been turned down, necessitating shorter hours and fewer staff. Officials are asking for an increase to 25 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property from the current rate of about 9 cents. They say the hike is crucial in order to provide adequate funds for operating the new facility. The boost would cost $104 more annually for the owners of a home valued at $200,000.
The library is moving ahead but the village board has stopped plans to build a new municipal center that would serve as the new village hall and police station. Funding was tied to revenue from housing permits and required at least 200 new permits each fiscal year. It was hoped that construction would begin in 2008.
The mortgage industry crisis and decline in the housing market have affected housing starts in Sugar Grove. Housing permits have dropped steadily since a peak of 365 in 2003. Only 149 were issued in fiscal year 2007. About 70 permits are anticipated for the fiscal year that ends April 30, 2008.
It is expected that officials will project between 50 and 100 permits for the fiscal year that ends April 30, 2009, far from the number needed to fund the municipal building project. The village will weigh the options of renting offices.
On a happier note, the Sugar Grove farmers market will move to the parking lot of the municipal building at 10 Municipal Drive and for the first time shoppers will be able to sample and select a wine from an Illinois winery. The market will continue to offer fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other local products.
-- Nancy Gier