North Cook News

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson recently shared news on several things of note happening in the village.

During a Nov. 15 Village board meeting, the mayor reminded everyone of the tree lighting ceremony, which took place on Friday, Nov. 25. The ceremony marked the 25th year of the village's tradition. Santa was also on hand to hear what every kid in the village wants for Christmas.

The community was able to celebrate their new Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans Day. They were originally planning to have the celebration on the Fourth of July but had to push it back. The memorial included lights and a waterfall, and it was dedicated surrounded by veterans of the village who came from the Veterans Day service at the high school.

The mayor also praised the City’s finance crew as well as residents for making it possible for the village to have a tax reduction this year instead of a tax increase like many of the neighboring communities. Additionally, the City was able to overfund the police and fire pension funds and send out gift cards to the residents with the tax dollars they didn’t need.

"So we're taking that money, reinvesting back it belongs," Johnson said in the meeting. "We've got the best policemen, firemen, best workers in the village. We're taking care of the pensions and we're taking care of the taxpayers by cutting taxes next year by 1.7%. We're proud to do that for them."