Mayor says Bensenville 'here to help'

Now that recent initiatives have helped improve Bensenville's finances, Village President Frank Soto says the village must remain fiscally prudent while focusing on growth over the next 14 years.

Soto delivered his annual State of the Village address Tuesday evening during a village board meeting. He said since he took office about 18 months ago, the village and its staff adopted a motto that Bensenville is “here to help” residents and businesses to flourish.

“There is a new attitude and a new approach,” he said. “And when we are unsure of our programs and our policies we ask ‘Did that serve the customer? Did we help?'”

Part of that approach includes making Bensenville a business hub with an inviting commercial corridor. To do that, the village created a tax increment financing district and special service areas late last year to fix flooding, dilapidated roads and other problems that keep owners from settling in Bensenville's north industrial park.

“We believe this considerable reinvestment in our business areas will enhance property values, generate new revenues and increase employment opportunities for our residents ... and lower the tax burden on the homeowner,” Soto said.

Soto also highlighted Bensenville leaders' cooperative approach with other government agencies and the business community. The village recently struck a deal with Franklin Park and the Illinois Department of Transportation that creates more stormwater retention for the industrial park.

“(This) illustrates how much can be accomplished just by reaching out,” Soto said. “We resolved an issue that had been stagnating for years just by picking up the phone.”

Other improvements that benefit residents more directly include new businesses like PNC Bank, O'Hare Paintball and restaurants like Eggroll Crunch.

Bensenville police also implemented several initiatives such as a neighborhood watch program and a neighborhood resource center that Soto credits with helping reduce crime more than 25 percent.

This year, Bensenville will expand its Music in the Park in Town Center to include reserved seating for senior citizens and possible busing. The event also uses less taxpayer money, Soto said, since the village secured corporate sponsorships.

In addition, the village plans to continue LibertyFest and Taste of the Towns, both cooperative fests with nearby villages launched last year, Soto said. He said a new festival may soon be unveiled.