Village Hall

70 E. Main Street

Lake Zurich, IL 60047

847-438-5141

www.LakeZurich.org

Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

If you are a Lake Zurich voter, this November 4 you will get to decide if Lake Zurich is ready for the increased local control Home Rule provides.

Why is Lake Zurich Considering Home Rule?

The Village would like to...

1) Gain more independence from State government in Springfield, and;

2) Improve streets and critical infrastructure village wide - without increasing property taxes.

Similar to nearby Home Rule towns such as Arlington Heights, Bannockburn, Barrington Hills, South Barrington, and Volo, Lake Zurich is looking for a long-term solution to fund critical infrastructure needs.  Part of this solution could come in Home Rule, which would give Lake Zurich the ability to consider alternative revenues, other than raising property taxes.

Critical infrastructure projects that Home Rule revenues could help fund include Emerald Ash Borer removal/replanting, public park investments, storm-water management to mitigate flood events, water main repairs, and sewer lift station replacements.

About Home Rule

Will Taxes Increase Under Home Rule?

Based on research of NIU Professor Banovetz, widely regarded as the expert on Home Rule in Illinois, evidence indicates Home Rule villages actually see their property taxes increase at a lower rate than non-Home Rule villages.

See the evidence for yourself:

Illinois Home Rule: A Case Study in Fiscal Responsibility

Questions about Home Rule?

Voters may have several questions about Home Rule and how it may change the community.  The Village has created an anonymous online Q & A forum, where may ask anything you want.  Questions and answers will be posted online and remain anonymous.

Yes, I would like to ask a question. 

The Lake Zurich Fire/Rescue Department will be hosting an annual open house on Sunday, October 5 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Fire Station #1 (21 S. Buesching Road).

Please stop by for this family friendly event to learn more about fire safety, including smoke detectors and fire sprinklers.  Favorites from previous years will be returning, including Sparky the Dog, puppet shows, and rides on the antique fire truck.  Bring your camera to capture some hometown memories!

The annual open house kicks off Fire Prevention Week, a time to recognize the dangers that can occur in the places we feel the safest.  Almost 66% of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.

Safety Tips from Your Fire Rescue Department 

Calling All Chili Lovers!

What's better on a crisp autumn day than hot chili?  Lake Zurich Parks & Recreation is having its Barn Burnin' Chili Cook Off on Sunday, October 5 at Paulus Park. 

All chili cooks over the age of 18 are welcome to participate and you do not have to be a Lake Zurich resident.  This event is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International.

Recognition will be presented for best chili, showmanship, and People's Choice.

Chili Cook Off Rules & Registration

Prefer Just to Eat the Chili?

If you prefer eating to cooking, all chili entries will be available for tasting after 2:00 pm.  Try all the chili you want for just $3 per person (or $2 when you bring a canned food donation for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry).

Action Plan is Underway

The Village is moving forward with an aggressive action plan for 100% removal of all parkway trees infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle. 

It is estimated that 2,700 parkway trees need to be removed due to EAB.  Resources are being fully directed at complete removal before the focus shifts to replanting.

A three year action plan for removal has already begun.  To see the multi-year neighborhood schedule and more about the EAB removal process, please visit LakeZurich.org/EAB.

Celebrate Autumn

on October 10th - 11th

More than 45 craft beers offered by acclaimed local and regional breweries will be at Lake Zurich's all-new autumn craft beer festival this October. 

There will also be a live music stage, arts and craft vendors and plenty of tasty foods at this Bavarian-like fall happening.

Are you thinking about coming to the fest?  Visit LakeZurich.org  to learn more and buy tickets.

Register Again if You

Have Recently Moved

Residents who have recently moved to a different address, have had a name change, or turn 18 on or before November 4, 2014, need to register by Tuesday, October 7. 

Registration Requirements

*U.S. citizen

*18 years old on or before November election

*Precinct resident for 30 days immediately prior to Election Day

*Provide two forms of current identification

Registration Locations

*Village Hall, 70 E. Main Street, Lake Zurich

*Ela Township Hall, 1155 Route 22, Lake Zurich

*Ela Area Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich

Lake County residents can visit LakeVoterPower.info or call 847-377-2410 to confirm registration status or find the nearest registration location.

Farmer's Market Ends Today

The final Farmer's Market for the 2014 season is today at Paulus Park, running from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  Please stop by one more time and support your favorite vendors.

Read on about the Farmer's Market...

Candidate Packets Available for April 2015

Are you interested in running for the Lake Zurich Village Board of Trustees? 

Three Trustee positions with four year terms are up for election during the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Election.

Candidate petition packets are now available during normal business hours at Village Hall, 70 East Main Street (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm)

Click here for more candidate details.  

Village Founded in 1896

On September 29, Lake Zurich turns 118 years old. 

Primarily a farming community, Lake Zurich's destiny was dramatically changed with the arrival of the highway system of Route 12 in 1922 and Route 22 in 1927, growing the village into an established summer resort community.

 Along with the steady residential growth, Lake Zurich has experienced impressive expansion in retail, office, and industrial development. Today, this growth has made Lake Zurich a regional hub for southwest Lake County, offering a wide array of services and amenities to the surrounding bedroom communities.
 

Lake Zurich has derived many benefits from its environmental, geographical, and transportation attributes working with a history of long-range community planning. All these factors contribute to the desirable sense of place and living environment evident within the Village and will continue to make Lake Zurich one of the greatest towns in the Chicago metropolitan area. 

Ela Historical Society and Museum