Village President Uses State of Village to Address Local Development, Finances, Resources

As the community celebrates its 50th anniversary, Village President Joe Cook took Thursday's State of the Village address as an opportunity to reflect on past successes and anticipate future growth and improvement.

"We as tradition look back at the accomplishments that have brought us to this day and we look forward to what is on the horizon," Cook said. "This year is a bit different because this year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary."

Cook started his address by saying he has a new appreciation for the workers who for 16 hours at a time after he driven by Channahon Utilities and Streets Superintendent Bruce Vaickus.

“First, let me start by recognizing the members of our staff who have spent the last 48 hours planning and executing our emergency blizzard plan,” he said.

Cook went on to highlight some of his proudest accomplishments since being elected village president in 2003. Since then, he said, the village has brought in 109 non-home-based businesses, and increased commercial space by 210,000 square feet and industrial space by more than 500,000 square feet.

Cook identified three vision areas for future development: the Anderson farm area near Interstate 55, the Hammel property near the Interstate 55 and Route 6 interchange, and the properties on Route 6 and McKinley Woods Road and Route 6 and Bell Road.

“The properties near the northeast corner of Route 6 and Ridge (Road) will show to be best-suited for more restaurants, offices and if I can talk Morris Hospital into it, it would serve to expand their existing facility into a complete medical campus, including an in/out surgical center, rehab facilities, and occupational and pediatric health clinics,” Cook said.

Cook said he also wants to see more Channahon residents be able to go back to work.

Despite a challenging economy, Cook emphasized that Channahon has been fiscally responsible in recent years.

“Over the past eight years, we have been able to drop village portions of the tax rate by nearly 12 percent and during the same time have increased our revenues by over 58 percent,” Cook said. “Even during these times of dwindling revenues, we have been successful in keeping a responsible fund balance.”

Cook also highlighted the natural resources that Channahon has within its borders.

“This past year, through our extensive lobbying efforts, we were also successful in keeping the Des Plaines waterway open for boat and barge traffic,” Cook said. “Officials from other states fought to make our area’s industry less competitive by using migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes as a reason to force the shipping canal closure.”

That would have caused layoffs and added trucks to the highways, which are already crowded, according to Cook. Instead, the village president said he would like to concentrate on preserving and improving natural resources.

“We will also share our vision for a redevelopment of our riverfront property to include a river walk and expanded marina facility with a boardwalk and park-like atmosphere,” Cook said.

Cook also announced the recipients of the village’s yearly awards, including:

• and — Businesses of the year
• Bill Cook — Amos Moose Hayse citizen of the year
• Dan Koostal, Matthew Brooks, Craig Gunty and Sgt. Jon Jackabowski — Channahon Police Department officers of the year
• Channahon Police Lt. Mark Fischer — Longest full-time village staff member
• Sandy Dement — Recognized for 29 years of service
• Curt Clark — Recognized for 25 years of service

Editor's Note: Watch for stories in the coming weeks profiling all of the winners.