What a difference a year makes. The current global financial crisis has brought an even greater focus to the state of the economy in local cities all across the country.

Historic changes have taken place that challenge any preconceived notions of who we are, where we are going and how much we’ll have to spend when we get there. From Wall Street to Main Street, from the Governor’s Mansion to the White House, it’s safe to say, a new day is dawning and I’m here to report that West Chicago is ready for it.

Let me start where we start every year ~ with our budget.The 2009 budget marks the seventh year of implementing a strategy that addresses the challenges that continue, to face the City of West Chicago.

The budget reflects a 5.74% decrease from the previous year. Note the fact that the City’s anticipated reliance on the property tax to fund its daily operations has, for the fifth straight year, decreased and has become a smaller portion of the Budget.

This is no small feat considering that sales tax and income tax revenue are expected to decline further in 2009 due to the poor economy, while expenses for fuel and electricity are projected to increase.

Even in these challenging times, the City maintains a proactive stance on Economic Development in order to increase and diversify the City’s sales and real estate tax bases and become less reliant on outside revenue sources.

We’ve maintained a presence with commercial developers and residential realtors; at trade shows, homebuyer’s fairs and business to business expos, so that when the economy turns around, West Chicago will be well-positioned to take advantage of foreseeable opportunities.
We have streamlined the development review process and found that the time required to review plans could be reduced by hiring a development engineer for plan review and inspections.  Additionally, review fees have been reduced by this decision.  The City has received very positive feedback from the development community regarding this change.

Later this year, we plan to roll-out a business recognition program that will give us the opportunity to show our pride and appreciation for the accomplishments being made throughout the City and to strengthen our relationships with the business community.

The City is committed to maintaining and improving exceptional customer services through creative, forward-thinking measures like the privatization of the wastewater treatment, building inspection and IT functions. All have resulted in cost savings and increased quality of service.

We will continue to explore innovative approaches to staffing. Through fiscally responsible management and a commitment to a core philosophy which prioritizes delivery of the highest level of services for the lowest possible cost to its citizens, West Chicago remains one of the leanest and most efficient municipal corporations within the suburban Chicago area.

Beyond the budget, the City has met other significant challenges head-on.

The issue of residual thorium in our community should be satisfied this year. Through the formation of a joint team with the EPA, the State of Illinois and Tronox, we have ensured that those 32 properties initially cleaned up in the 1980’s when standards were less strict, be re-tested to meet new Agency guidelines. This is being accomplished by a procedure developed by the EPA. The EPA will provide that information to Tronox, who has agreed to address the findings and close this chapter of the City’s history.

There were many West Chicago success stories in 2008-09, and these underscore our City’s determination and resilience.

• At a time when the nation’s housing market hit rock bottom, I met with housing specialists to design a program in cooperation with the Illinois Housing Development Authority for First Time Homebuyers.  West Chicago has taken the lead and facilitated group training classes for approximately 30 realtors thus far. From Woodstock to Plainfield, Lombard, Elmhurst and Kane County. I’d like to acknowledge Kathe Doremus, Senior Mortgage Consultant for her support and efforts with this program.

• We’ve made great strides in gaining recognition for our City’s unique attributes, projects and people in various publications including the Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune.
  West Chicago was chosen for the Town Focus for the May/June issue of West Suburban Living Magazine. The feature really captures the personality of West Chicago through the many community voices of people they interviewed. Copies of the magazine may be picked up from the City table today.  We will also be the City profiled in the July/August issue of Fox Valley Magazine. And national recognition came to the City last year, through an award for our bi-monthly newsletter Window to West Chicago, and for our neighborhood National Night Out event. All this has brought even greater awareness to what we already know about our City, we are the best kept secret in DuPage County.

• The arts movement has exploded in downtown West Chicago this past year and the City couldn’t be happier. Combining talent, enthusiasm and government partnership, the arts, and the artists, are shaping the community’s image. Three years ago, we saw the potential of a failing building at 200 Main Street and converted it into an incubator of creativity. Gallery 200 has come a long way through the dedication and hard-work of the Cultural Arts Commission and a group of member artists, who this year have rolled-out a new awning for the exterior and rolled-up their sleeves to paint and re-do the interior.

• Our City’s reputation hasn’t been the only thing building this year. We’ve redeveloped the southwest corner of Route 59 and Main Street with the demolition of the old Payday Loan store building and the façade improvements of several adjacent buildings on this highly visible corner, the completion of the third commuter parking lot for our Metra station and the ambitious Hawthorne Lane reconstruction project. Also noteworthy was the annexation of St. Andrews Golf Course and Country Club, plus Manville Oaks and Pioneer Parks. As for infrastructure projects, we will be resurfacing  Joliet Street from Geneva Road to Illinois Route 38; and Powis Road from Illinois Route 64 to Smith Road, scheduled for Spring 2010.

Going forward, we remain cautiously optimistic. History has shown us that the country’s financial future will rebound, and our history has shown that by staying the course and holding tight to our core values, we will survive and thrive.

We have one new face we welcome on the City Council, Mr. John C. Smith, Jr. of Ward 5 who will make a great addition to the group of dedicated individuals who faithfully serve this community with a shared vision. I would like to thank them, our City Treasurer, City Clerk and staff thank you for all the support and hard work required to continue the tradition of providing the highest quality of service for the least tax dollar.

I would also like to thank my dream team of dedicated Alderman who share the same vision, making West Chicago the envy of all of Dupage County.

Let’s not forget our Chamber, thank you Dave Sabathne for all your help and to all your members.

What a great partnership we have and looking forward to many years of continued success.
I am honored to be your Mayor and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that face West Chicago in the years to come.

Thank You all from the bottom of my heart.

~Mayor Mike Kwasman