A message from our new Village Manager Matthew C. Harline 

Dear Residents,

         I want to open this message by expressing my gratitude for the opportunity to be of service to the Village of Villa Park, and for the warm welcome I have received from the elected officials, the village staff, and the few residents of Villa Park I have had the opportunity to meet. I am very excited about the opportunities and the challenges we face to make Villa Park even better. My first week has largely been meeting people, but I did have an opportunity to attend the retirement of a 20-year veteran of the Villa Park Fire Department, Lieutenant Eric Blaskovich. I also made it to part of the Thursday Night Concert in Cortesi Park. The weather was perfect, and the large crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players. Watching families and friends of the community have an opportunity to share the evening reminded me why we are here in municipal government: to make it possible to live a great life in Villa Park. Well done by the Parks Department. Later that evening I went to the Village Hall for the Planning and Zoning Meeting that was dedicated in large part to the balance between property rights, and public benefit of a proposed four-story apartment complex at 27 W. Park. The proposed 24-unit multifamily residential building in the Mixed Transitional (MX-T) zoned area would consist of market-rate one and two-bedroom apartments with no tax abatement. However, as proposed, it would require several variances. While the owner has a right to build on the site, the variances are conditional upon need and require approval of the Village. The property owner explained in detail why he felt it was a reasonable proposal and the steps his team had taken to make the project viable. Many residents and local business owners spoke out against the proposal in principled discussion. The result was the developer was sent out with directions on what could be acceptable in Villa Park. The discussion will continue at a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 7:30 p.m., at the Villa Park Village Hall, 20 South Ardmore Avenue.

       I want to thank Ellen Weber, Community Development Director and Michael Guerra and their staff for a thorough and professional handling of the details, the careful application of the Village codes, and the presentation made at the meeting. I want to thank Craig Ross of Ross Builders for his extensive preparation and his willingness to invest in Villa Park. I want to thank the residents that participated with intelligence and passion in the discussion, without resorting to name calling and other antics that debase our public space. I want to thank one citizen in particular, Jason Jarrett the Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. I have served in a half a dozen communities as an elected official or staff member and the level of decorum, and tact, and expertise he demonstrated is possibly the best I have ever seen. This is how a civic discussion is supposed to work. For over four hours the community worked toward a resolution of interests and progress was made. I want to use this space to keep the Board informed of what the staff is doing, and what is going on in the community, but much of that is in included in great detail in the following report. I also want to remind the Board and the citizens of the excellence of our staff and volunteers and acknowledge special efforts and achievements. I just became aware that Karla Bastien, an Engineer I in Public Works recently learned that she passed the test to become a registered Professional Engineer. Congratulations, Karla Bastien, P.E. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Matthew C. Harline 
Village Manager 

Recreation & Parks Updates 

Summerfest 2022 is here! 

Fun for the Whole Family! Attractions include: Kids’ Entertainment (until 5 pm), Great Food, Live Entertainment, local vendors and a beer garden in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Villa Park Lions Club.  Check back often for updates and additional information! Villa Park Summerfest is an annual gathering of people coming together to enjoy music, food, libations, entertainment, local vendors and each other.  This  one day event serves as kick-off to summer!

EVENT DETAILS INCLUDE:

Kids Giant Inflatable Area - Open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. $10 gives you all day access to: 5 in 1 Disney Princess Bounce and Slide Combo Dry, American Ninja Warrior Warped Wall Connect Four Basketball, Light Zone Football Toss, Triple Sports, Wrecking Ball, 90-foot Dual Lane Obstacle Course, 6 and 1 Sports Bounce House, and more….. 
Other Kids attractions: Children's magician, balloon animal extraordinaire, and face painter   
Local food vendors: Michael Anthony's, Firewater BBQ, Flavor Frenzy Ice Cream & Fiesta Taco Truck 
Local non food vendors: Villa Park Public Library, Avon, Color street, Reda's Boutique, Yolo Glow, Henna Design, Snuggle Buggle, Trinity Lutheran Church and more...  
Event location: Ardmore Business District (Ardmore and Park BLVD, next to Illinois Prairie Path) 
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE AT THE RUGAARD GAZEBO
1:30 pm - Scottie Long
3:30 pm - Milk Out Rage (formerly Minors of Rock)
5 pm - The Cave Dwellers
7 pm - Money Beats Soul
9 pm - Saturday June Band

Public Works Updates 

Effects of the Operators Local 150 Labor Strike

The labor strike by members of the Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers against area construction material supply companies is ongoing.  The strike has affected the supply of aggregate materials available for construction.  As aggregate is used in concrete, asphalt, utility trench backfill, and pavement base, the supply shortage has slowed and may eventually stop most construction efforts.  Staff is monitoring the issue closely and also working with contractors and suppliers to identify alternative options.

Maple Area Improvements

Construction on the Maple Area Improvement Project is continuing.  Removal and replacement of concrete throughout the project area are currently in progress, with those efforts continuing until the concrete is no longer available as a result of the labor strike. Notice has been sent out to residents about the potential issues the strike may cause.  The Village is also working with the contractor to make provisions to restore access and secure the construction area of work that may be delayed for extended periods.  Pending the resolution of the Operator's local 150 Labor Strike, construction is expected to be completed by early fall.  

Vermont Water Main Replacement

Monterey Ave Improvement Project

Future Infrastructure Projects

Street Sweeping

The Village began street sweeping all the Village Streets the week of June 13^th with its new sweeper
“Sweepy the Sweeper” which it purchased this past winter.  The new sweeper is more efficient and will help keep the street clean all summer long.  The Village strives to sweep all Village Streets at least four (4) times a year with additional sweeping as staffing and weather allow.

Police Department Update 

Welcome new Community Service Officer Andrew Bucur! 

Please join us in welcoming him to the Village!

We're Hiring!

FIRE DEPT
-Part-Time Firefighter/Paramedic 

POLICE DEPT
-Part-Time Police Officer 

PUBLIC WORKS
-Summer Laborers 
-Civil Engineer/Staff Engineer 

PARKS & RECREATION 
-Aquatics (Summer, multiple positions open) 
-Athletics (Summer, multiple positions open) 
-Early Childhood (Hiring NOW)
-Summer Camp (Summer, Camp Counselor)  
-Seasonal Part-Time Facilities Crew 

To apply click here.