Campton Hills to host first town hall meeting

For the first time in the village's 9-year history, Campton Hills leaders will host a town-hall meeting on July 19 to get residents' opinions on a variety of issues.

“This is our first,” said Village President Harry Blecker, who campaigned two years ago to increase transparency in the village. “We want to hear what they have to say.”

Three initial topics for the meeting are: the fiscal year 2016-17 budget; planning goals; and a new website for the village.

But Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen doesn't expect discussion to gravitate toward any of those topics.

Rather, she hopes for a lively discussion during a question and answer period at the end of the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the United Congregational Church of Christ, 40W41 Fox Mill Blvd.

Residents also may email questions beforehand to Johnsen at jennifer.johnson@villageofcamptonhills.org.

She said the purpose is threefold: to ensure village officials can provide complete answers at the meeting; to give everyone a chance to participate; and to provide a complete list of answers that will be posted on the village's website.

“Anybody who can't make the town hall meeting, we want to give them the opportunity to ask questions,” Johnsen said.

If turnout and interest is there on July 19, village officials hope to have town hall gatherings twice a year.

“We're hoping most of the discussion comes during the question and answer period. Our strategic planning goals actually call for this to be a semiannual event,” Johnsen said. “We're hoping to do it twice a year.”

For more information, call (630) or visit villageofcamptonhills.org.