News

Lake County mayors look ahead to 2018

Posted January 02, 2018 7:00 am

Daily Herald report

On Monday, we asked suburban mayors and village presidents to share their thoughts on their towns' successes in 2017. Today, we ask them to look ahead and share what they hope their communities accomplish in 2018.

Larry Hanson, Antioch

Expect more good things in 2018 for Antioch. Investments in residential, commercial and manufacturing will bring more amenities, jobs and opportunities for our residents. We're excited about a current plan for a manufacturing business which is expected to bring in over 500 jobs to the village of Antioch.

Karen Darch, Barrington

We look forward to the completion of a major sewer infrastructure replacement project which was started in 2017, and more terrific community and cultural events including the return in February of the "Barrington Town Warming" - a unique community event in Barrington in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Beverly Sussman, Buffalo Grove

For 2018, we will continue our strong focus on providing the best services to our residents and businesses as efficiently as possible, contributing to the already high quality of life and developing economic resources to benefit our community. We will be finishing the Lake-Cook Road Corridor Plan and Marketing Study, moving to the implementation phase. We will kick off the Prairie View Sub-Area Plan to address development pressure around our northerly Metra station. Lastly, we will launch our new 2018-2023 Strategic Plan for the betterment of our fine village. Best wishes to all of our residents and business owners for a healthy and happy 2018!

Donny Schmit candidate Fox Lake Village board. Lake County

Donny Schmit, Fox Lake

Here are some of our goals for 2018: Implementation of the business development district; several new summer events coming to downtown Fox Lake; rebranded and redesigned website on schedule for implementation in 2018; Sayton Road; continued progress on the strategic plan, with new priorities for 2018.

Rhett Taylor, Grayslake

2018 will be a busy year for Grayslake. We will continue to have a balanced budget and remain debt free. We will make additional capital investments into our historic downtown, including the continued renovation and cleanup of the gelatin factory property. A new manufacturing firm, Okabe, will officially open. We are looking forward to 2018.

Bernard Wysocki, Green Oaks.

Bernard Wysocki, Green Oaks

In 2018, the village is gearing up with anticipation for the upcoming Bridge and Roadway improvement/refurbishment projects within Green Oaks. Two of the village's bridges will undergo a significant overhaul and there will be greater emphasis on roadway construction throughout Green Oaks. These and other future projects within the village's TIF district will continue to serve as a positive impact our community for years to come.

Kevin C. Richardson, Lake Barrington

Kevin Richardson, Lake Barrington

Building on the launch of the new Speedway at the corner of Route 14 and Kelsey Road, we look forward to expanding the village's economic base with other new business development initiatives. All of these will focus on growing sales tax revenue in support of our continuing efforts to both hold the line on the village property tax levy and provide the needed support for infrastructure improvements throughout the village.

Jim McDonald, Lake Villa

In 2018, the village of Lake Villa will continue its improvements to Cedar Avenue. If the village is successful at obtaining grants, the project will be completed at an accelerated pace. The village also hopes to attract additional commercial development in the business district.

Tom Poynton, Lake Zurich

We are in the beginning of the process to update the Comprehensive Plan, which will address key community issues like development and growth, land use, community character, economic development and environmental conservation ... and provide guidance for future development for the next 10 to 15 years. A major initiative for 2018 includes an update to the village's zoning code which will assist in modernizing village regulations

Terry Weppler, Libertyville

My biggest goal for 2018 is to complete the renovation of the Libertyville Train Station. The station has no restrooms and is not up to the standards I believe we have in the village. The new station will be a welcome addition to residents and visitors coming to the village via Metra. In addition, my goal is to further promote our businesses in the community through the Business of the Day program beginning in January. This program will highlight a new village business throughout the year on social and print media. We will begin developing a new Comprehensive Plan in 2018 to give the village a better vision of our direction in the coming years.

Liz Brandt, Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is expected to continue its economic development making it a more desirable place to live, work, stay and play. Our goal is to expand our business, entertainment and sports tax base generating more revenue but not adding any additional children to our schools. We hope recent proposals by Glenstar Group for a Top Golf facility and St. James Club next to the tollway and Daigger Scientific's new corporate headquarters come to fruition, bringing more jobs, sales tax revenue via our hotels, restaurants and retail, as well as great community partnerships to our village.

Dominic Marturano, Lindenhurst

With all of the construction work that we've had over the last several years preparing for Lake Michigan water, we'll get back to a more "normal" year in 2018. Our police department will be implementing an electronic ticketing system, which will save time for the recipient as well as the police officer. We will also continue to replace village trees lost to the emerald ash borer. And last but not least, we will continue to look for opportunities to bring more businesses into our community.

Casey Urlacher, Mettawa

In 2018, I am looking forward to the continued improvements of several village parks and open space areas. The village has made a large investment into maintaining open space and returning it to its native condition.

Steve Lentz, Mundelein

To ensure Mundelein continues its positive trajectory, we are committed to strategic planning. Taking into account trends in development such as contraction of commercial development, changes in housing trends, and need for additional industrial/business park space (based on Mundelein vacancy data), Mundelein's Comprehensive Plan will be updated. Additionally, Mundelein submitted an application to the Urban Land Institute for Technical Assistance to obtain input on redevelopment of the Townline Road corridor. Several large parcels of land, including Oak Creek Plaza, are in a position for redevelopment. Mundelein looks forward to continuing its downtown projects and partnering with developers on these initiatives.

Dan MacGillis, Round Lake

The village has been actively developing its vision for the future by refining governmental operations necessary to best manage the community. To further the vision, the village looks forward to completing the strategic plan that will establish long-term goals and priorities based on defined steps in support of those objectives. We will focus on promoting economic development by supporting existing businesses and encouraging commercial and industrial entities to locate in Round Lake to better serve the needs of residents and support the village's tax base. We will continue to lead through a common vision based on established policies, prudent practices, and engaging our community through our newsletter and website.

Richard Hill, Round Lake Beach

In 2018, we are starting another large water and sewer water infrastructure replacement plan. We are also doing phase 2 engineering for Orchard (Lane), Hook (Drive) and the Hook extension to Nicole (Lane).

Linda Lucassen, Round Lake Park mayor

Linda Lucassen, Round Lake Park

For 2018, Building & Zoning is launching the "Vacant or Foreclosed Building Registration" program in which property owners must register with the village when a property is vacant for more than 15 days. It is our hope that the program will help maintain vacant properties so they do not become dangerous or eyesores in the community.

Gary Beggan, Third Lake.

Gary Beggan, Third Lake

Construction of the Third Lake replacement dam is scheduled for completion by the early spring of 2018. The new dam will use new improved mechanisms that will provide increased control over high water events. The increased control will avoid and/or minimize shoreline erosion caused by high water situations and fluctuating water lines in Third and Druce lakes.

Roger Byrne, Vernon Hills

We are continuing our road rehabilitation program, and at some point we're going to have to adding to that budget to supplement what we get in gas taxes from the state because it's not enough.

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