DuPage mayors look ahead to 2019

We recently asked DuPage County mayors to tell us what important issues will face their towns in 2019. Here's what they had to say ...

Frank Saverino, Carol Stream

The 2019 calendar year, also our 60th anniversary, presents a time of possibility for the village. The village has the opportunity to build an organization, forward-looking and boundless from our strong foundation. We step forward with a new village manager and assistant village manager, while welcoming fresh perspectives from our board of trustees. Our recently renovated village hall will become a contemporary base of community operations as we strive together to develop Carol Stream in its next chapter.

Nunzio Pulice, Wood Dale

2019 brings many challenges as well as opportunities, such as the second phase of our large Stormwater Infrastructure project that could take three to five years to complete. We should continue to see current economic development projects in final planning stages constructed in the year ahead. Some highlights are a corporate headquarters relocating to the 23-acre former HSBC site (generating millions of dollars in new sales tax revenue for the city), redevelopment of the corner of Addison Road and Irving Park Road (new sales tax and new places to eat) and a new mixed-use development going in adjacent city hall (new places to live). All these will help Wood Dale not just in 2019, but for many years to come.

Frank DeSimone, Bensenville

We will be continuing our efforts to combat jet noise through the O'Hare International Airport Fly Quiet Program. As a leading advocate for implementing the rotating runway plan, we have maintained an active role throughout this process. Bensenville's proximity to the airport adds value to the community, but we understand resident concerns about overhead jet noise. As runway updates continue, we look forward to working closely with the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and Chicago Department of Aviation to find a solution that benefits our residents and the surrounding communities.

Linda Jackson, Glendale Heights

As the village celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2019 we will be recognizing the milestone in many ways, including festivals, a balloon launch, and other exciting activities. We will reflect on our past to see how far we have come and continue to focus on the future, particularly economic development, which is the most important issue in the village. The village board and I will continue to support our existing businesses and encourage redevelopment along the North Avenue Corridor and other areas. Our efforts will serve our residents by improving the tax base, providing job opportunities, and shopping and dining options.

Ruben Pineda, West Chicago

One of the most important issues facing our community in 2019 will be the environmental remediation on West Washington Street and the process of seeking developers for the Central Main Street Redevelopment Plan. West Chicago is on the cusp of realizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for its enormous transit-oriented development potential. The construction of new market-rate dwellings, beautiful pocket parks, inspiring stormwater plazas, and small retail amenities as outlined in the plan would represent the largest single physical transformation to downtown West Chicago in its history.

Steve Morley, Elmhurst

As we approach 2019, city staff and elected officials are consulting the most recent strategic plan to revisit the goals developed to address important issues faced as a community. Focus continues on building economic successes to diversify revenue and keep property tax to a minimum. Additionally, the city will have completed 11 stormwater projects between 2015 and 2019, providing relief to more than 350 homes and will continue to plan for future improvements in stormwater mitigation. Other focuses include the research and implementation of new technologies citywide with the goal of improving public safety and remaining a top-tier community.

Andy Maglio, Roselle

The largest issue the village faces in 2019 is to keep the momentum of our community's growth moving in the same positive direction. We have been planning growth for several years, through the adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan in 2016 and the formation of several TIF and business districts to foster that growth. Economic development has been and remains a priority for the village board.

Keith Giagnorio, Lombard

Lombard has a lot to look forward to in the coming year. The village is reviewing proposals for a new development at 101 South Main St. in downtown. We will welcome new restaurants and events throughout the year, as well as local improvements. We also look forward to the new Yorktown Commons community, just north of Yorktown Shopping Center. In Lombard, we value our history, we face the challenges of today, and we strive for a better future. I hope you have a happy New Year and we'll see you in Lombard.

Chris Pecak, Lisle

There are many good things ahead for Lisle. With a commitment to fiscal responsibility, demonstrated by freezing the property tax levy for a second year, the village board continues to pursue more responsive municipal services. Working to attract new, high-quality, development to Lisle and encouraging redevelopment is part of this effort. Major sales tax generators have announced plans to build along Ogden Avenue, which will improve the corridor's appearance and generate sales tax revenue. Efforts to address stormwater will continue, as Lisle looks to the future in making plans for development, active transportation and community amenities.

Steve Chirico, Naperville

In 2019 we want to continue to be an attractive place to live and work for college graduates, while also focusing on keeping our community livable for our seniors. Providing different types of housing for both populations is a key focus.

Gopal Lalmalani, Oak Brook

As we enter 2019, we look forward to new and exciting developments such as the redevelopment of the McDonald's Plaza site with Hines Development This mixed-use development will be made up of high-end residential units, new class A office buildings, retail and restaurants and a boutique hotel. It will be a wonderful lifestyle center for the village. We will also see the opening of Lifetime Fitness in the Oakbrook Mall and the construction of a new Senior Lifestyles development.

Not only will all these exciting developments bring people into the village, but through a vibrant partnership with our business community it will allow Oak Brook to remain on the cutting edge of development and thus secure our financial future without new taxation of any kind. There is no property tax in Oak Brook, low sales tax, low hotel tax, and no liquor/beverage and no food or entertainment tax. We intend to keep it that way.

We also need to ensure that any new development or redevelopment in Oak Brook be reasonable, appropriate and high-end. We are committed to keeping our commercial corridor dynamic and to protecting and enhancing our residential properties, while at the same time keeping our vast open areas intact. This delicate balance will help keep Oak Brook the way it has always been: an extraordinary, unique and premier community.

David Brummel, Warrenville

In 2019 we look forward to continued progress on the city's economic development plan - including the construction of new high-quality residential, commercial, and restaurant projects in the Civic Center/Old Town area, Southwest Route 59 Corridor, and Cantera. The city will be working with Two Brothers Brewing on the redevelopment of 20-plus acres it owns at the northwest corner of routes 59 and 56, with a new, state-of-the-art, mixed-use, corporate campus for its various business units.

Diane McGinley, Glen Ellyn

In 2019, one of the most important issues for Glen Ellyn will be handling the multiple construction projects that will begin. In 2018, the village board successfully secured funding for large-scale capital projects, two of which will begin in 2019: a new parking garage and downtown street renovations including streetscape. There is also the potential for two development projects to begin in the spring in the downtown area, bringing about 155 new units to our downtown.

Erik Spande, Winfield

Winfield will have a very busy 2019 with over $150 million in new development currently occurring, on the books, or in planning. Our Roosevelt Road commercial corridor will see our first project completed this fall. On the north side of town our first e-Commerce warehouse distribution center will be completed. Plans are under review to start construction of a $32 million, 150-unit luxury apartment complex by the Metra Station. We will work toward starting our first projects with the proposed $80 million redevelopment of Town Center in partnership with Northwestern Medicine.