Village Manager's Message

At the Village Board Meeting on October 13, 2025, the subject of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts was raised. TIFs have emerged as a crucial tool for revitalizing urban spaces and fostering economic development in municipalities across the United States. Villa Park has established various TIF districts to stimulate economic growth and community development. We will examine one of the TIF programs designed to promote improvements for businesses within a TIF. Villa Park has the “Site Improvement Program” to incentivize businesses to improve the outside of their respective properties. It is our hope that more businesses take advantage of this program to help improve the outside of many businesses in need of updating. The following is a list of improvements eligible for site improvement:

• Parking lot replacements
• Landscaping, including parking lot islands, lot screening, foundation planting, and removal of weeds and invasive species
• Trash enclosures compliant with code regulations
• Lighting, including parking lot lamination
• ADA accessibility, including ramps, sidewalks, guardrails, and accessible routes
• Sidewalk replacement

Eligible costs covered under the program:

• Architectural and engineering fees (Conceptual drawings and construction drawings)
• Permits and fees
• Materials
• Construction labor

We have an online application on the Village website. The instructions are straightforward. Once an application has been filled out online, it is reviewed by Village Staff. There is a point system applied to all applications with several criteria listed on the application, like code compliance, use, relocation, need, and scale. ADA improvements are also strongly considered. An applicant must attain at least a combined score of 25 out of 50 points to be eligible for a grant award. There is a finite amount of funds awarded each year, so applicants are encouraged to apply early in the calendar year. All site improvements are subject to the availability of funding. The proposed projects must have a minimum cost of $5,000 to participate in the program. The most the Village will reimburse will be fifty (50) percent of the of the overall cost up to $25,000. The applicant must be the property owner or the lessee of the property with written permission of the property owner. All permits must be approved with the applicant seeking at least three competitive bids from contractors licensed to work in the State of Illinois. We as a Village will do more to encourage local businesses to take advantage of this great TIF program, including visiting businesses. Updating and beautifying businesses benefits everyone.

View the full weekly report here. All weekly and monthly reports can be found in our Document Center under Village Manager.

Mike Rivas

Village Manager

VFW Pumpkin Patch

The Villa Park VFW 2801 Post and Auxiliary are hosting a Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser throughout the month of October! Stop by 39 E. St. Charles Rd. for photo ops, custom-painted pumpkins and gourds, and more! Support your local veterans, open daily from 1:00 - 7:00 pm.